My Houzz: An Artist Maps Out Her Own Haven of Happiness

Artist Rebecca Ross describes herself as a hunter-gatherer, a domestic curator and a color coordinator. This homeowner on Australia’s Gold Coast truly appreciates the history and heritage of her sunny hometown. Ross’ seaside residence, dubbed Dolphin Lodge, is just 165 feet from the beautiful shores of Burleigh Heads, just south of Surfer’s Paradise. Dolphin Lodge served as a beachfront retreat for vacationers from 1960 until Ross started renting it in 2012. Since moving in, Ross has made the space, which she calls her “haven of happiness,” her own and has decorated it with her map-themed artwork and eclectic mix of furniture. “It’s a special place, and I was really struck by the heritage nature of the building. It is imbued with happy memories of holidays by the sea,” she says.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Rebecca Ross and her cat, Maggie
Location: Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia
Size: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That’s interesting: It wasn’t until our photographer arrived at this house to photograph it that she realized it was the house she and her family used to vacation in when she was a child.

Bright bursts of color from Ross’ collection of books, artwork and furniture greet visitors as they enter the main living area.


Ross has been a curator at The Walls — a contemporary gallery space located in Miami, a suburb on the Gold Coast — since early 2013. Her curatorial expertise comes into play throughout the home, as she cleverly balances old and new in a playful yet orderly fashion.

The theme of “places” inspires Ross and feeds into her growing collection of maps, atlases and globes around the apartment. It has also inspired her own artwork — take the piece seen here, which she named “Overland,” for example. She used materials collected from old atlases, cut out the maps and made them into a collage. “The pins not only hold the countries, continents and geographical regions together, but create a secondary topography and additional color play,” Ross says.

Ross also hosts a number of international guests, travelers and visiting artists at her home and loves the knowledge and stories of their travels they share with her.





Bold colors and clashing, brash patterns fill the apartment. Kartell, Alessi and Missoni are some of Ross’ favorite designers, and she refers to them as her “Italian idols.” She pairs these patterns with vintage and upcycled collectibles from thrift shops, hand-me-downs and DIY projects. “I buy and collect what I like: colored, shiny, eclectic, Italian made, curiosities, warm and cozy crochet blankets, cool and calm shell collections,” Ross says.


This wall in the living room has been brought to life with a treasure trove of creative and eclectic pieces.





While a lover of collected treasures and unique vintage finds, Ross did insist on purchasing a brand-new sofa when she settled into her new home. She chose this contemporary design from King Living.

“It was my biggest spend, but one that adds a good dash of color and warmth to the low light of the lounge room,” she says.





Ross says she has always allowed her belongings to find her and does not actively shop for things. She simply brings them home as they have crossed her path. It’s a trait she shares with her mother and sister. They have handed down many pieces to Ross over the years, which she proudly displays in this vintage cabinet she picked up for $80 from a local charity shop.

“I love the feeling that a piece can evoke. Whether it be a family heirloom or vintage find my sister has gifted me, or something I bought in a place that is special — it has meaning,” Ross says.

The chair was found on the curb on trash collection day and has a twin that sits in the guest bedroom.


If you look closely, you may be able to read “Haven of Happiness” on the artwork that hangs on the wall. This piece, in which Ross salutes her home, was exhibited at The Gold Coast Arts Centre. The exhibition was called Fibro Coast and celebrated the history of architecture in the region.


In the kitchen are a bentwood table and chairs handed down from Ross’ mother. Her mother’s friend artfully constructed them back in the day. “It’s a lovely place for conversation and meals to be shared,” Ross says. The “Sunrise Glass Tabletop” artwork is Ross’ most recent acquisition and is by Brisbane artist Sebastian Moody.


The glass tabletop tells a tale of travels through posters and postcards. Ross restored the chairs herself to their original wood, revealing a hand-drilled flower design on each seat.


The kitchen cabinetry is all original, aside from a fresh coat of paint. Ross loves great design and has a few new pieces around the home to balance her vintage finds. She says her Juicy Salif sculptural juicer on the countertop always puzzles guests. One of Ross’ prized possessions is her kettle by Michael Graves for Alessi.


An impressive collection of globes in varying sizes creates another quirky feature in the kitchen. Ross has always loved traveling, and spent a great deal of time working in Italy after she graduated from university. These globes remind her of her earlier jet-setting days.






The guest bedroom is at the back of the apartment and is visible from the main living area. It has the same friendly vibe, with bright colors and collected decor.

“I have a myriad of artworks that patchwork the walls, shelves, nooks and crannies,” Ross says. The colorful batik, above, was brought back as a souvenir from Indonesia and is now displayed with pride on the bed.


Ross has been actively involved in campaigns across the Gold Coast that endeavor to save a number of heritage-listed properties. She salvaged this vacancy sign from the Tropic Sands Motel in Palm Beach when it was torn down.


Vintage chair and patchwork blankets: thrift shops


A vintage map of Queensland sits on a chest of drawers with a preloved Italian glass bottle.


The compact bathroom has been recently renovated and features modern, clean shades of white and simple straight lines. A washing machine is next to the shower, making this a dual-use space.


The main bedroom is at the front of the unit, with alternate access to the front veranda via the original glass doors that open out.

The glass doors allow in plenty of natural light, and during summer the calming sea breeze can be felt. “My bedroom is a restful space, colorful but calm, and it is my favorite place to read and reflect,” Ross says. This room also pays homage to the artist’s love for Kartell design with her prized Louis Ghost bedside tables.





Opposite the bed sits a playful grouping of artwork, old family photos, design books and a handed-down lantern from her mother. The striking clothes hanger was found at a local charity shop.

Ross’ belongings and eclectic decor work wonderfully alongside the home’s ’60s fixtures. “I really love the original features of this place. It’s a constant reminder of how humble life was in the ’60s era,” Ross says.





The veranda runs along the eastern side of the lodge, and despite this being a bit of a thoroughfare for the neighbors, it feels private, calm and cool due to the shade provided by the established plantings. Ross says, “It’s a great place to get a good dose of greenery.”

During the summer, Ross’ nights are spent here on the veranda with her friends, listening to the waves with a glass of wine.





Ross, seen here, finds it hard to single out a favorite feature or room of the home. She says, “I really love all of the rooms and this space as a whole. Of all the places I have ever lived, this is definitely my favorite.”

My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.

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URL: My Houzz: An Artist Maps Out Her Own Haven of Happiness http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-26316.html