eing a risk-taker by nature and hankering
after solitude, Australian designer, stylist
and all-round creative Sarah Andrews
bought a heritage shack on Tasmania’s
west coast sight unseen. ‘I spotted an ad for
the run-down cottage and was drawn to its
isolated charm and views across Lettes Bay,
remote mountains and rainforest,’ she says.
The house was built in the late 1890s for
mining workers and although beguiling, once
she owned it Sarah discovered it was falling to
bits and had no running water or electricity.
An eight-hour drive to the nearest
hardware store, the restoration was a
dedicated labour of love. ‘I had intended
it to be a slow, rural bolthole project, but
my personal circumstances changed and
it quickly became a full-time renovation
that needed to earn an income,’ she says.
The space, fresh air and supportive local
community confirmed that despite the
initial mishaps, purchasing the property was
the right decision. ‘I worked on developing
plans to transform the cottage, aptly named
“Captains Rest”, into a cosy home for me and
an escape for paying guests,’ she says.
Determined to create a space for modern
living while retaining the cottage’s soul, Sarah
transformed a warren of smaller rooms into
a stunning open-plan living/kitchen/dining
area with a separate bedroom and bathroom
(complete with claw-foot bath and view of the
bay.) ‘I spent a lot of time imagining where I
would cook, sit by the fire, watch the stars,
curl up with a book, bathe and rest,’ she says.
The design captures the raw beauty of its
surroundings and celebrates a slower pace,
where simple pleasures are enjoyed and the
ever-changing landscape is welcomed in.
Clad in painted corrugated iron, with a
skillion (flat with a slope) roof and timber-
lined porch, Sarah worked closely with
Heritage Tasmania to restore the shack with
original materials and affordable Gumtree
finds. Existing Tasmanian oak floors were
sanded and polished; and pine tongue-and-
groove boards were whitewashed. The
striking windows to the front – a serendipitous
salvage find – restored the views across the
bay, and the old antique glass adds a distorted,
time-worn and galley-like charm.
‘The weather here is extreme. When
wet and freezing, you’ll find me curled up on
the window seat, woodburner lit, reading,
watching old movies, contemplating my next
adventure; in summer, rowing my dinghy
around the bay, fishing or foraging for dried
plants, nut and twigs. The colours, shapes and
textures of nature always appeal.’
Creating beauty out of nothing is one of
Sarah’s talents and throughout the cottage
her trademark style abounds – antique
portraits displayed alongside seascapes;
vintage furniture dressed with unique
treasures; a bench seat made by Sarah’s
parents and a collection of ropes, flags, baskets
and all manner of rustic finds that add patina,
authenticity and a sense of her personality.
Linens and rich velvets in warm shades of
brown, green, ochre and blue honour the
earthy outside palette and weathered woods
echo the boat-making heritage of the bay.
Nautical it may be, but cliché it is not.
Sarah recognises the true value of a safe
harbour and peaceful waters to call home.
Twelve years ago, she left behind her previous
career as a spatial scientist to travel the world
solo. When she ran out of places to visit, she
swapped dry land for the sea – restoring,
decorating and living on an old Seventies
sailing boat. Crossing the Pacific in the dead
of night, a devastating storm caused her
boat to sink, leaving Sarah shipwrecked, 40
kilometres out to sea. After four terrifying
hours, she was rescued by the Mexican navy
and adopted by local villagers, who helped
her recover. ‘I am well known for my love of
storytelling, but this is one I could never have
made up,’ she laughs.
Now Captains Rest has given Sarah a
platform to launch herself into the world of
styling, visual storytelling and photography.
More recently, she has launched an Airbnb
masterclass that is enabling other like-minded
souls to learn her trade secrets. ‘Captains
Rest restored my spirit, reinvigorated my
wanderlust and provides a constant sanctuary
when I return from my travels,’ she says. ‘It
has a magic like nowhere else.’
b
Check out Sarah’s home at captainsrest.com
and her work at thehostingmasterclass.com
X
38 livingetc.com
