Di Lightful

Ann Cadzow

It's mostly about the lines in this beautiful new house on Noosa Sound: lines that flow and curve, sweep and rise, angle and glide. Ceilings are layered, giving texture and intrigue, walls ascend and compel the eye up to a mezzanine level and beyond to a pyramid glass roof.

These exciting lines begin at the entrance where a strip of pink Italian porcelain set in the white tiles is mirrored by the same strip recessed into the ceiling. This catwalk impels you in to the home past a cantilevered wall hiding dozens of tiny lights that glow galaxy-like at night. Here you are confronted by the majestic sweep of a freestanding white curved staircase. It is so arresting it vies for attention with the sprawling living and dining space beyond, and then beyond again to the wide ribbon of mangroves across the tranquil Noosa River.

This is Noosa interior designer, Di Henshall's home, the sixth of her own she has designed in the past 20 years and by far her most ambitious. Over two imposing storeys, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom property on Noosa Sound is testament to Di's continued evolvement in modern design. She admits she doesn't really need a new home, will be heartbroken to leave her old one, but it is her years of designing and creating for others that leads her on to greater achievements for herself and her family.

The white linear-board home with skillion roof lines stands out in the street on 22 metres of waterfront land sitting on a curve in the river. Neighbours are hidden - it's like being on a private island; the river and landscape views stretch to Mount Cooroy.

"I saw this land for sale one day when I was walking the dog and I knew I had to have it," Di says. "I paced out the size of the land, got an A5 piece of paper and began designing a house to fit and this is the result. It has not changed from that drawing on a piece of paper."

The lower level of the house is where all the living and entertaining take place. Upstairs, the bedrooms, guest room and office all flow off the mezzanine.

The gourmet kitchen is actually three kitchens in one large open galley plan. The main section, where Di cooks on a convection induction cooktop and in a steam oven, is separated from another galley style space by a long linen-finish stainless-steel bench.

"If I am cooking, guests can pull up a stool at the other bench and we can all still talk," Di says. "They don't get in the way." Neither do Di's husband and two adult sons; they have a separate scullery area, a mini kitchen, which can be closed off from the main kitchen by frosted glass sliding doors, yet which houses a sink, fridge, benches, cupboards and all the necessary equipment to prepare a cup of coffee or a multi-course feast.

The main living area overlooked by the kitchen is large yet made cosy by two soft grey sofas placed around a grey and white silk rug facing a wall with fireplace and flat screen television. A Philippe Starck lamp, a striking work of art resembling a mini-crane and weighing 180 kilos, can be swung around to shine soft light on any area of the living space.

Two sliding doors at the end of the fireplace wall lead to a sound proof billiard/bar room. But there are no tacky bar accoutrements in here, just a sleek billiard table, discreet temperature controlled wine fridges, walls of large grey and white painted stripes and a gasoperated sash window over a long bar bench that opens to create an alfresco bar on the outside decks.

With its long smooth curve, the imposing white staircase sitting almost in the centre of the living area looks more like a sculpture you might find in one of the world's great contemporary art galleries.

"The curve was difficult to achieve," Di says. "The builder had to make temporary walls and build the staircase into them and then take the walls down when it was finished. I did not want steel or glass in the staircase. I pared it back to the simplest form, just plain white with a timber inlay. I like the feeling of a Gone With The Wind type staircase." To the side of the staircase is Di's favourite place, her own private spa room. Again, the clever use of lines means the room 'floats' on the entry's water feature. Frosted windows, soft falling white string curtains, glowing blue lighting around the floor and in the water outside all add to the atmosphere of a private spa sanctuary.

Up that sweeping staircase off the 120-year-old French oak mezzanine floor beneath the glass pyramid, the bedrooms all enjoy views, space and their own functional and elegant bathrooms. A palette of white showcases minimalist items of bedroom furniture to ensure tranquillity. Soft night lights and sleek white accessories in the bathrooms continue the theme of peace and understated style. The master suite has his and hers walk-in robes and views out to the Noosa National Park and all along the river. Smart bathroom design means hidden cabinets and flattering lights. The spa bath has views down the river.

The guest room, given a French theme by the use of lamps and small accessories Di found in Paris, has French doors leading to a small half circle balcony that looks out over the mezzanine and down into the living areas. "Guests can stand out on the balcony and call down for breakfast," Di laughs.

Di's decorator eye for mixing the stylish with the quaint is evident throughout the house: two 60s lamps found in New York, a few retro furniture pieces and small antiques discovered in Amsterdam all draw the eye, yet do not detract from the serenity of the house.

There are practicalities and environmental considerations as well as glamour: window treatments in this west facing property keep out heat, louvres ensure air flow, two 14,000 water tanks hidden beneath the pool deck show Di's approach to sustainable living.

Out on the riverside, it is all about setting the mood for Noosa-style entertaining. A mirrored feature wall outside the dining area at the side of the house reflects a wall of tiny star-like lights inside, creating night-time incandescence. Di has used the expertise of Noosa Lighting throughout the house, outdoor area and garden, and LED lighting in the long pool changes the water colour from deep blue, to soft purple and then sassy red.

Large timber decks flow out to the river; a white fire pit will draw the gang outside on cool nights; while sun beds add a resort feel.

This is a house for the ultimate in Noosa living. The myriad small but significant designer touches both inside and outside ensure Di, her family and friends can enjoy the kind of lifestyle envied by others all over the world.