A Family Home & Guesthouse on Victoria’s Surf Coast
Images by Madeleine Burke
This home holds special significance to the family that resides here, housing two generations that fell in love with the solitude and surf of Victoria’s Jan Juc. Interior designer, Emily Evans and husband Mitch purchased the property from Mitch’s father in 2023 – and today, Mitch’s young son Arlo shares his childhood bedroom. Their daughter, Lucy sleeps right next door in this rustic and inviting seaside sanctuary: complete with exposed pine and warren-like floor plan. Originally from California, Emily has spent her time here tending to a growing family and interior design practice, The Simple Collective. Her talents have even extended to a neighbouring guesthouse, The Wattle – a place for visitors to stay and fall in love with the area, just as she has.
The main bed is dressed with our Organic Cotton Percale bedding in Milk & Oversized Textured Cotton Bed Cover in Umber. Our cosy Alpaca Throw in Eggshell complements Emily's favourite shearling chair.
“Our home was originally built in the early 1980s by my father-in-law. It has a special family history—my husband Mitch was born and raised here, and now our son sleeps in the same bedroom Mitch once did. The house has a very distinctive character, with a split-level layout, high ceilings, and plenty of quirky nooks and clever storage spaces. It's entirely lined in pine wood, which gives it a warm and rustic feel.
The house has a very distinctive character, with a split-level layout, high ceilings, and plenty of quirky nooks and clever storage spaces.
“We officially purchased the home from my father-in-law in late 2023. Since then, we've painted many of the rooms to freshen them up, although we’ve kept the downstairs lounge in its original raw pine finish. The decision to paint the pine came from wanting to reduce the look of heavy lacquer build-up, which had caused some discoloration over time. We’ve also built a one-bedroom guesthouse to accommodate visitors.
“One of the things we love most about the property is its location—it’s just a short stroll to the ocean, walking trails, parks, cafes, and our children’s kindergarten. The neighbourhood is peaceful and family-friendly. I also really enjoy the home’s quirky floor plan. As a creative, it brings me so much joy to come up with ideas for future renovations and clever ways as to how we can best use each space.”
The family's dining table is layered with our 100% Linen Table Cloth in Natural & Napkin Set in Off-white
“Our bedroom is really cosy, with wool carpeting, a simple queen-sized bed, mirrored wardrobes, and a high, sloped ceiling with exposed rafters. The large windows are positioned to the north, filling the room with natural light and warmth during the winter months. We’re surrounded by gum trees, so we wake up to the peaceful sounds of birds and soft, filtered light coming in through the branches. I absolutely love how much natural light the room gets, and being able to watch the sunrise from our bed is a special part of the morning. One of my favourite pieces in the room is a striped console table from Worn Store, where my jewellery box sits. I also adore the mirrored piece above our bed, which I found at one of my favourite shops in Yamba, NSW.”
We’re surrounded by gum trees, so we wake up to the peaceful sounds of birds and soft, filtered light coming in through the branches.
“One of my most treasured pieces is my arm chair that lives in our downstairs lounge room. It’s an antique from the 1940s that I discovered at an estate sale held at a beautiful heritage property in Newtown, Geelong. Originally, it was upholstered in a tapestry-style chenille fabric that didn’t quite suit our aesthetic, so we gave it a new life with sustainably-sourced shearling. Now, it’s not only a perfect fit for our home but also a family favourite—everyone loves to curl up in it. It’s incredibly soft and just the right size.
“Another special piece is a small oil painting that hangs in my office nook. It captures a moment of my daughter and me at the beach and was painted by an artist from overseas. It holds a lot of sentimental value and is one of my absolute favourite items in our home.”
Lucy's bed is dressed with our Two-tone Quilted Bed Cover in Lilac & Mist, 100% linen sheet in Khaki and Chestnut Pillowslip.
“The Simple Collective began as a creative outlet back in 2014- initially just as an Instagram account – a place where I could post images that inspired me. The concept of the business really started to take off when I finished my studies in design and saw the need for interior services in the Geelong and Surf Coast region. We officially launched the business in 2017.
“Our interior design practice is built on the belief that design has the power to positively influence how we feel and interact with the spaces around us. We take a calm, considered approach to every project, with a strong focus on emotional design and how a space can genuinely support the way people live.
Our interior design practice is built on the belief that design has the power to positively influence how we feel and interact with the spaces around us.
“Our goal is to help create beautiful, functional interiors that feel timeless and deeply personal. We work closely with our clients to understand their vision, help them make informed decisions, and ensure that every element contributes to a cohesive and meaningful space. We also work directly with trades and assist in project management to help ensure the best possible outcome for our clients. Attention to detail is central to our process—we’re always thinking about flow, harmony, and how the smallest touches can make a space feel just right.
“At the heart of what we do is a commitment to designing spaces that not only look good but feel good too.”
“We are in the early stages of concept development for a renovation here in Jan Juc. Alongside that, I’m spending time behind the scenes refining the business itself—including a small brand refresh to better reflect where we're heading. After taking some time out over the past couple of years for maternity leave and to focus on my young children, this year feels like a fresh chapter. It’s very much a year of rebuilding and reconnecting, and I’m feeling really energised about what’s to come.”
“The Wattle is our latest completed project – a cosy guesthouse attached to our home. We originally built it to provide a comfortable, private space for both my family and my husband’s when they come to visit. It’s a fully self-contained unit, separate from the main house, which allows them to stay for longer periods without feeling cramped. When it came to designing the space, I wanted it to feel like it had always been part of the home. The guesthouse was originally a shed lined in pine, similar to the rest of the house, but instead of opting for plaster to modernise it, we chose to keep the pine and maintain consistency with the original structure. We then incorporated warm, nostalgic touches through the choice of colours, materials, and fixtures. It was such a fun space to create, and we’re absolutely in love with it.”
“What I enjoy most about hosting people at The Wattle is the opportunity to make someone’s trip feel special and comfortable. I love creating a space where guests can relax, feel at home, and experience the local area in a meaningful way. Whether it’s sharing local tips, offering a clean and cosy stay, or hearing how much they enjoyed their visit, it’s rewarding to know that we’ve played a small part in their travel memories. It’s been a really pleasant experience so far.”
In the guesthouse is our Oversized Heavy Linen bed cover in Off-white with contrasting Rectangle Cushion Covers in Natural and Organic Cotton towels in Cocoa Stripe.
“My husband grew up in Jan Juc and was born in the very house we now call home, which was a big factor in our decision to buy the property. Jan Juc has this charming, laid-back vibe – it's tucked away from the hustle and bustle of main roads and offers a peaceful atmosphere. It strikes the perfect balance between natural beauty and a relaxed lifestyle. Our home’s location is ideal for us, as it’s just a short distance from our favourite beaches, walking trails, cafes, and restaurants. The local reserve, where the kids love to play, is nearby, and the kinder is at the end of our quiet street. We also have a lot of gum trees on the property, which attract plenty of wildlife that we absolutely enjoy.”
The Wattle's cosy couch is covered in our Standard Heavy Linen Bed Cover & Rectangle Cushion Covers in Natural. The dining table is dressed with our 100% Linen Table Cloth in Natural & Napkins in Off-white.
“We’re lucky to live in Juc, and one of our favourite daily rituals is walking up to check the surf at Bird Rock. It's something we do almost every day. Personally, I love catching the sunrise along the clifftops – it's a moment of calm and connection that I really treasure, especially with it being just a short stroll from home. Along the way, we often stop in for a coffee at Swell or enjoy a meal at The Beach Hotel. For date nights, Bird Rock restaurant is a go-to. The park next to our house gets a lot of use too – the kids love it, and it’s conveniently located next to a large reserve and the local kinder.
“Over in Torquay, we regularly visit the local op shops and love stopping by the farmers market on a Saturday morning. I recently discovered a new café called Sweet Ground – their salads and drinks are amazing. And when the weather’s nice, the kids love playing in the calm, shallow waters at Cosy Corner at low tide.”
“I’ve found Australia to be both refreshingly familiar and wonderfully different to where I grew up in Southern California. The laid-back coastal lifestyle here feels a lot like home- there’s the same love for the ocean, surfing, and outdoor living- but there’s a more grounded, slower pace that I’ve come to appreciate. One of my biggest impressions is how genuinely welcoming and community-orientated people are. In San Diego, life can feel fast and a bit transient. In Juc there’s a strong sense of connection to both place and people.
“Culturally, I’ve had to adjust to subtle differences in humour and slang and I’ve also come to love things I never expected: meat pies, AFL, and the sound of kookaburras in the morning.
“Living here has made me more present and appreciative of a simpler life. I still very much miss my family and friends as well as the Mexican food back in San Diego but I’ve gained a new kind of richness living in Jan Juc with my young family – a place that now feels like home.”
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100% Organic Textured Cotton Oversized Bed Cover
Off White with Umber