Perini’s approach was deliberately experimental – an ever-evolving dialogue between materials, finishes and the Australian landscape. She retained the home’s original shiplap ceilings and panelled walls, drawing out their warmth through a palette of greens, browns and terracotta, accented with brass that nods to the Australian sun. A mid-century specialist, Perini was inspired by Alvar Aalto’s own home in Finland, treating Basecamp as a living, breathing canvas that would gather layers of history and material richness over time – a tiled wall here, a rosewood unit there. The garden, equally considered, has been replanted with over 300 species of native flora, inviting an abundance of wildlife back to the site. Each room opens to aspects of this thriving bushland, guiding movement between indoors and out, echoing Perini’s deep affection for the landscape.
Inside, her aesthetic is warm and richly personal – a thoughtful blend of mid-century antiques, global finds and contemporary craftsmanship. Maple, Oregon and tallow timbers create a golden base for loose furnishings in European woods, while accents of brass and artworks by Damien Hirst and Jean Arp lend a quiet opulence. Floors of original tallowwood meet terracotta and Japanese tiles in the wet areas, while a slab of Bolivian green marble forms a feature wall in the main bedroom. Porters Paints in tonal shades of Timberline wash the walls and ceilings, colour-drenching rooms in calm, earthy hues.
