This incredible home has been a very personal project for husband and wife design team (an architect and builder) and Anne-Marie Campagnolo (an interior designer). The pair officially moved in just 6 months ago, though they also camped on site during the build. (Needless to say, they’re not planning any camping trips in the near future!).
Jesse and Anne-Marie run their own small in Cairns, offering both architectural and interior design services, as well as selling their own range of handcrafted timber fixtures, and soon, their own range of handmade furniture. The design and build of their own home was the ultimate all-consuming creative collaboration for this talented duo.
The home was built from scratch on a sloping site, which presented significant challenges during the build. Both Jesse and Anne-Marie were closely involved in much of the construction process, employing sub-contractors where necessary. ‘It was an extremely hands-on approach, which was tiresome but allowed us complete control over design and outcome’ says Jesse.
As the house is constructed from robust materials including concrete and glass, the pair were keen from the outset to complement these elements with a layered and colourful interior scheme to add warmth and personality. A mix of custom built and vintage furniture, carefully selected textiles and playful art pieces form a striking contrast to the serene landscape beyond the windows. ‘We call our aesthetic ‘Tropical Bizzaro’ says Jesse!
Adopting a highly personal approach in both the design and construction of their home allowed Jesse and Anne-Marie to develop various custom finishes, fixtures and bespoke furniture. One particularly treasured piece is the pink curved couch, which wraps elegantly around the perimeter of the TV room, providing generous seating with an unusually delicate, streamlined silhouette. ‘It’s our favourite piece of furniture, as we designed and built it ourselves’ says Jesse. ‘The shape allows for different vistas out through the landscape, as well forming a great conversation pit’.
For Jesse, without a doubt the best part of living here is the way this house integrates with the surrounding landscape, and embraces the tropical climate, rather than fighting it. ‘We hear the rainforest sounds and see the changing growth of the forest through the seasons’ Jesse explains. ‘It’s really beautiful and serene – and makes us feel both inspired and thankful everyday’
Incredible.
Such a pleasure to look at the pictures.
This is such an amazing home! Thanks for sharing.
Holy Macaroni, how do I get these two to design my dream home? This is beautiful!
Ummm…. WOW!! Beautiful architecture, amazing interior design, those windows, the bath, the garden, the everything!! :)
Best house you’ve ever featured! Glorious!
Wow! Just, wow!
Fantastic fun tropical home. Great to see a home embracing the climate.
Wow! Hollywood in FNQ.
WOWZA!!
I am in awe of these two talented creative people. I love when you get to see something special and different and todays house is all of that and so much more. It was so fab I couldn’t pick a favourite but will settle for a long soak in that bath with the view. Well done to all involved.
Oh, wow! One of the best Aussie houses ever featured on this site. There isn’t one room I don’t love to bits and they’ve done the ‘bringing the outside inside’ aspect so well. It almost makes me want to move to Queensland and live in a rainforest…
Yes. Yes. Yes. Most beautiful house on the design files to date.
Absolutely breathtaking! Imagine waking up to those amazing views everyday. Its certainly evident that this incredible home is the masterpiece of an extremely talented & creative duo. Well done Jesse and Anne Marie!
Seriously, next level beautiful. Everything. Individual, lush and livable. Jealousy overload.
EPIC
Extremely beautiful house. Wow. Congratulations Jesse and Anne-Marie, it’s incredible and you are very lucky to live in it’s beauty
One of the best projects featured on this site. a standout.
Spectacular! <3
Not a thing I don't like about this beauty! Thanks for sharing :)
Um wow! what a fantastic house.
Just wow
Breathtaking!! Can u pls tell me what the tropical wallpaper(?) in the master bedroom is / where from?? Much appreciated.
This house blows my mind! Just incredible.
Spectacular!
Definitely one of the coolest houses I have seen in awhile! Good one guys
An amazing talented team collaborating on a home they must never want to leave. Sensational!
Without a doubt the best home ever featured on TDF!
This house is unbelievable – absolutely love everything about it – outdoors and in!
Love
It is great to see at least one house that truly represents not only Cairns, but also Far North Queensland. There are some incredibly talented people in Cairns and this home really is only the tip of the ice berg, albeit one of the best. It is great to see homes like this that are built to capture multi sensory experiences. Well done to TDF and to Jesse and Anne-Marie for bringing us this.
This is epic. Great feature x
Wowow!! This house is incredible. I wonder if it gets super hot in there without any blinds?
to think I almost skipped this one for being time poor! perhaps one of the best and most innovative homes I’ve seen on TDF. oozing with ideas, talent and passion. love it.
Hands down one of the most beautiful homes featured on TDF – and there’s been a few (beauties) to choose from!
I never leave feedback for anything, anywhere ever, however this house is MAGNIFICENT. Everything about it is so beautiful; architecture, interior, exterior – all of it absolutely stunning. The purpose of my feedback is simply to say congratulations to Jesse and Anne-Marie. It’s truly a work of art. Well done and I hope you enjoy living in it. (I’m insanely envious). And thank you Lucy for bringing it to our attention.
Oh wow! Tarzan and Jane eat your heart out!! – I look at these glorious pictures from the depth of the southern winter in Melbourne and feel like I have had a holiday just viewing your lovely home! I love the materials used, especially the concrete, the design and line of the home and the consideration to living comfortably in a tropical environment ( mould management!)
The cross ventilation of the windows and lovely wooden bench spaces are sublime and speak of a liveable happy and well loved home already! I can imagine a lot of film location assistants would just love to ” borrow” your home to film some awesome movie or ad – that’s if you let them :)
I hope you get loads of new business from featuring your wonderful home and thanks for sharing with us!
#DREAMY
Just stunning. Completely blown away by their skills & talent.
Wow. Wow. WOW! This house is beyond amazing, thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Well I was just thinking, before I saw this today, how glad I was to have found this site. I always enjoy the homes you feature and particularly like the wide range of styles. But this home is truly amazing. Congratulations!
WOW the views! What an amazing tiresome hands-on effort. A home to enjoy for a lifetime.
WOW. A dream home designed to absolute perfection. I love every inch of it! Well done to this very talented couple.
I am in love with this home! I’d have to say it’s getting close to the best you’ve ever featured. Truly beautiful … unpretentious, imbued with unique vision and fitting to its environs. It’s a masterpiece. Congratulations Jesse & Anne-Marie for making such a stunning place to live.
Off the scale. Creative geniuses!
An amazing display of considered design details encapsulating all my favourite design styles. A huge congratulations is in order!
…..Jaw drops!
LOVE the Lacroix fabric on the bed head panels and the Pastel Pink bay sitting area is next level guys!!
Juste magnifique !
beautiful during the day. TERRIFYING AT NIGHT THO.