Fashion designer Rebecca Vallance's plans for a dream Mediterranean villa in Sydney's Vaucluse

When Australian fashion designer Rebecca Vallance and investor husband David Gasan purchased a 1930s Vaucluse home in 2018, their plan was to always build a dream Mediterranean villa on this prized Sydney waterfront location. 

“The plans went into council to build on the site pretty much as soon as we purchased,” says Vallance. “[But] we haven’t done anything to it, we just moved in.”

The power couple hired Archer Design to create a four-level residence with six bedrooms and multiple living areas for the family to entertain in. The rebuild is set to cost $3.9 million. A grand foyer will make the most of the view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and also part of the plan are a swimming pool, a rooftop garden and a bar.

Demolition was supposed to start in May, but is now scheduled to take place before the end of the year. The pandemic might have halted their plans to get the project underway sooner, but it hasn’t dampened their spirits. 

Inspired by her husband’s childhood villa in Malta, Vallance says, the new home will be a mighty nod to his heritage – think rendered walls with the lower levels covered in bougainvillea.  “It’ll have lots of archways, the design will be a mix of modern and class architectural style and we wanted an abundance of entertaining options too,” she says.

A large jacaranda tree will remain, as it is her favourite spot. “The large, wild garden reminded me of Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree – there was something immediately magical about it. It’s quite wild with lots of animals that live in there. Our sons love it,” Vallance says. 

Vallance, who grew up in Ballarat and still has family in Victoria, says the abundance of outdoor space was important to her. “We knew the property would make a wonderful place for the children to grow up in – having all that space outside is precious and the positive energy of the home really appealed as well,” she says.

For Vallance, who is celebrating 10 years in Australian fashion, the Vaucluse home is sure to capture her Australian roots as well as her husband’s love of European old-world charm.  

In the current home, they’re surrounded by antique furniture bought in Malta, the south of France and London. Many of those grand pieces have been reupholstered by Leify Porter using modern fabrics, while luxury furniture by James Salmond can also be found.

An antique map of London hangs on the lounge room wall, while family snaps are dotted throughout. It’s a mix of contemporary and vintage – curated with a sense of pride. 

“The furniture we’ve collected on our travels reminds us of the great times we had abroad and as a result there’s a mix of European and Australian designers within,” says Vallance.

“I love period pieces and mixing them with modern items,” she says. “It makes a room quite interesting.” 

When it comes to colour schemes, it’s all understated, elegant and timeless – a theme that will continue in the new villa. A large marble table captures chic modernism, while luxury yarn rugs add warmth. Vallance likes to mix mirrors with dark wood and crystal cues with a fleck of gold for an embellished hurrah moment.

The new villa will include a home office (to make working from home easier), a large library and a wine cellar.  

With regular trips to Malta on hold for now due to the pandemic, it seems fitting that Vallance is making sure she brings the best of her European obsession to Sydney. 

She’ll be launching a swim line in October – a career first–- that’s inspired by her mother-in-law, her love of the European sunshine, architecture and fashion in Malta. 

“It’s no accident David’s mother inspired this collection,” Vallance says. “We miss them so much and wish we could be with them, but at least when they come to visit us in Sydney it’ll feel a little like home.”