Beachside Escape

MEDIA STAR DEBORAH HUTTON’S SEASIDE ABODE IS A TESTAMENT TO HER LOVE OF COASTAL STYLE – AND HER NEWLY DISCOVERED RENOVATING PROWESS

- Holly Byrne

Launching herself into the limelight as a covergirl at the age of just 16, media personality Deborah Hutton’s career has ranged from model to magazine editor-at-large to hosting roles on prime-time television; a journey that has taken her across the globe. But having recently settled into her newly-evolved, self-proclaimed “forever home” in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, it’s evident Deborah relishes her latest role – that of accomplished renovator.

When she began the search for a new home more than three years ago, it proved a more difficult task than anticipated. “I failed at so many auctions, and now I’m so happy that I did,” says Deborah, who ended up securing the keys to a 1920s-built house by the beach, with an elevated position looking out across the Pacific Ocean. “The location is perfect, the view is expansive, but the original house really didn’t do the block justice. It really needed a revamp, just to open it up and capitalise on the light.”

With a sizeable renovation to project manage, and a gorgeous home to create, Deborah was armed with very little renovating experience. “I had renovated a bathroom, that’s it,” she says, “as in, I just retiled something. I’ve never done anything like this before!”