Deborah Hutton: TV star, model and designer reveals her ‘happy place’

Model turned TV star come designer Deborah Hutton tells why she rejects the ‘modernist’ life.

With sweeping views across Sydney’s Bronte Beach, raked high ceilings and a fireplace in the middle of the ground floor, Deborah Hutton’s renovated Federation bungalow is like a “big, warm hug”.

The 1920s two-storey Federation property was completely gutted, barring a few walls, with Deborah project managing the renovation of her picturesque beach house herself.

“We demolished 90 per cent of the old house and I had a vision of what I wanted to create. It was a pretty big renovation to take on considering the only thing I had renovated before was a bathroom,” she says.

“It’s a Hamptons and Nantucket style house with lots of panelling on the walls. I wanted the house to look and feel like it had been here a long time, I am definitely not a modernist, so all the fittings and fixtures are a throwback to yesteryear.”

At Home with former model, TV presenter, editor and designer Deborah Hutton. Picture: John Appleyard

With incredible views facing northeast, at any given time Deborah could be cooking in the kitchen and looking out to whales in the ocean before her, or kookaburras sitting on her fence, hence making Sydney’s second lockdown tolerable. The first lockdown coincided with Deborah launching her new homewares range MyHouse, which was primarily set up with a team in Melbourne via Zoom, a Pantone colour book and the odd textile sample in the post.

“I’m back to my happy place … homewares.”

Who: Media personality and homewares designer, Deborah Hutton.

Where: Renovated Federation beach bungalow in Bronte.

Favourite thing: A lot of what I have in my collection is reflective of what I have in my house from my travels, and I love these wooden candelabras.

Inspiration: You can call it Hamptons or really, just relaxed luxury.

Home is: It’s my comfort and safe place. It means everything to me right now. I’m proud I could create a home exactly as I wanted it.

DEBORAH HUTTON’S FAVOURITE AT HOME THINGS

The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse, by Charlie Mackesy

Book. "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy. Picture: John Appleyard

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read by an extraordinary author and illustrator. Everyone should read it, from kids upwards. It makes your heart warm.

Phalaenopsis orchid

‘Moth orchid’. Picture: John Appleyard

This is my absolute favourite flower and I always have them in my house, I just buy them in bulk at the markets. They are just so elegant, classic and beautiful.

Wally the wombat door stopper

Welcome Wombat Wally that has been at Deborah's front door for nearly 30 years. Picture: John Appleyard

I got this as a birthday present for my 30th birthday, so you could say he’s been welcoming people into my house for the past 30 years. I just oil him every couple of years.

MyHouse cushion

A cushion from Deborah Hutton’s MyHouse collection. Picture: John Appleyard

I love this colour blue, it reminds me of beautiful Moroccan patterns. I would never put anything in the collection I wouldn’t have in my own place, and I am obsessed with blue.

Large coral

From the beach collection. Picture: John Appleyard

I love the beach. I have a large bowl of things I have collected off the beach and other things are scattered throughout the house. I should probably stop collecting, I have about enough.

Sydney Swans scarf

“Cheer, cheer the red and the white …” Picture: John Appleyard

When they announced I was the number one ticket holder in 2018, I cried. I have been an ambassador for over 10 years and I love my Swans. They are a big part of my life.

Candle lantern

Made in Morocco. Picture: John Appleyard

The first time I laid eyes on one of these was in Morocco, and they were everywhere. I light this one every night and it just creates the most beautiful ambience.

Cable knit

Blue wrap, could be a movie title. Picture: John Appleyard

I love wraps. Most people will pop them on their knees when they’re chilly but I will actually wear them around the house when I am cold.

For more, see: My House: Deborah Hutton