Perched on an elevated acre in the coastal town of Lennox Head, Sea Acre House feels like a quiet exhale - where clean lines and contemporary design settle effortlessly into a relaxed rhythm of the coast.
We step inside the thoughtfully curated home of Tess, founder of Smack Bang, to explore how she creates spaces that feel both calm and deeply functional - and how a life surrounded by nature continues to shape the way she lives, works, and unwinds.
Featuring our Seadona New Zealand Wool Rug In Chalk Dharma Braided Jute Runner in Natural
What inspired the design of your home, and what are your favourite features?
Our lifestyle. My partner is a nature guy, I’m a living solar panel, and our kids are naturally outdoor kids, too. So, we wanted a home that let us live outside as much as possible, with light, air, and connection at the core. We briefed our architect to create as many indoor-outdoor integrations as possible, bringing the outdoors in. My favourite space has to be the kitchen-living area. It’s where the best of life happens. I love filling it with friends, cooking up a feast, and making the most of that golden-hour glow.
How does your home encourage a slower, more intentional way of living?
I’ll be honest, I don’t do slow very well. I thrive on momentum, energy and movement. But this house was designed with deep intention: built around our family, how we love to live: together, in nature, sharing food, soaking up the good fortune of life. Light plays a huge role, too. It’s a U-shaped house, wrapping around our pool and facing north, designed to catch the sun from every possible angle. And of course, skylights everywhere, so every day feels like an endless summer.
Featuring our
Marigold Wavy Jute Rug in Pink Brunswick Striped Wool and Jute Rug
Featuring our Mendocino Wool & Jute Rug in Olive
What rituals or routines help you slow down and enjoy your space?
Mornings on the deck with coffee, when I can. Life with two kids is a beautiful kind of chaos, but I do my best to carve out that moment. Watching the light change, the birds wake, the rainforest sway. It’s my small pause before the day takes off.
What do you love about your neighbourhood?
Where are your favourite places to go?
Lennox is a little dream. Our community is so wonderful, there’s plenty of great coffee and good food, and the beaches are an uncrowded paradise. I love doing the headland walk and taking the kids to the lake. I must admit though, we spend a lot of time at home. With friends, early dinners, and picnics in the yard.
What are you reading, listening to, and watching right now?
It’s always a mix of design and wellness. My business partner gifted me Flamingo Estate: The Guide to Becoming Alive, with which I’m utterly obsessed. I’m very much a non-fiction person. I recently devoured Outlive, by Peter Attia and The Five Invitations, by Frank Ostaseski. Human Design by Jenna Zoe is another that hasn’t left my bedside in months.
I’m also a big Podcast girlie, and am addicted to Expanded, On Purpose, and Goop, always.
How do you approach curating pieces for your home—what guides your decisions?
Slowly. I’ve learned that when you buy everything at once, you end up with a time capsule of one era, and that can lack soul. I love the process of finding pieces over time, layering warmth and character. I tend to keep styling minimal, but I love a bold pop: art, an object with presence, something sculptural. The mix is key: minimal-bold, soft-hard, old-new.
What qualities do you look for in the pieces you choose
—whether furniture, textiles, or decor?
Texture, proportion, and character. I love pieces that are sculptural, even the functional ones. A chair isn’t just a chair; it’s got to be an artwork in its own right, adding something to the space beyond utility. I lean toward simplicity, but with depth: pieces that are minimal yet rich in materiality and form.
Do you spend much time considering purchase decisions
and the impact they can have on the world?
Absolutely. I invest in pieces built to last. With time, I’ve become more settled in my style, more confident in my choices, which means I turn things over less. I buy wisely, keep things longer.
Shop the Sea Acre Style Edit here -
1. Seadona New Zealand Wool Rug In Chalk
2. Dharma Braided Jute Runner in Natural
3. Marigold Wavy Jute Rug in Pink
4. Brunswick Striped Wool and Jute Rug
5. Mendocino Wool & Jute Rug in Olive
Photography by Tari Peterson
