Harmonious Design

When weather presenter, meteorologist and journalist Magdalena Roze and her husband, chef Darren Robertson of Three Blue Ducks fame, decided to update their NSW Northern Rivers home, it posed a major life decision. “The renovation was a three-year project completed in two stages,” explains Roze. “The existing property was an early 2000s renovation on a 1970s house. While it was structurally very sound and well built, it didn’t reflect our character or lifestyle.” The plan was to integrate a bit of their family of four into the space. “Our goal was to inject a timeless, classic coastal aesthetic that wouldn’t date,” she says. “We focused on creating character while improving key lifestyle aspects like light, ventilation, flow, and functionality.” 

Rather than jump straight into practicality, Roze adopted a more spiritual approach. “We engaged a feng shui expert to advise on both the original layout and our proposed changes, ensuring the renovations would create a more harmonious space,” she says. “Fortunately, her suggestions aligned with what I instinctively felt needed to be done, so instead of overhauling our vision, she helped consolidate it.” 

Coastal Inspired

Given the home’s proximity to the sea, a coastal theme was a strategic aesthetic move. “The vision was always to create a classic coastal home that feels like home and isn’t dictated by trends,” she states. “It’s a blend of classic contemporary design with traditional European touches, such as brass hardware. We placed a huge emphasis on natural materials like timber and stone, and a palette inspired by the coastal landscape, from seagrass to the muted tones of the dunes. Our environment here in the Northern Rivers, with its unique meeting of beach and hinterland, was a constant source of inspiration.”

Roze instinctively knew that beautiful hardware was crucial. “Because we wanted to bring more character into our home, we chose solid brass hardware that would naturally age and stand the test of time,” she reveals. “I fell in love with the subtle detail of the Iver Copenhagen Levers, which bring elegance and warmth. Our front door was especially important as it’s the first point of contact with the house, and the Berlin Pull handle couldn’t be more perfect. It’s solid, strong, and welcoming — exactly the impression we wanted to create.” 

Smooth Touchpoints

Its high quality meant that Iver became a firm favourite on the build. “For us, hardware wasn’t just about how it looked; it had to perform too,” says Roze. “We were very conscious of choosing pieces that felt good to use day after day, that were durable, and suited to the way we live as a family. The weight of a lever, the smoothness of a pull, the way a handle sits in your hand — those details make a huge difference to the everyday flow of a home. By selecting tactile, timeless hardware, we elevated those small daily rituals, making things like entering the front door, or sliding a door open, feel more considered and enjoyable.” 

Iver hardware was used throughout. “The hardware became a unifying thread that tied the renovation together,” she says. “Our vision was to create a timeless coastal home with character, and the brass levers and pulls played a key role in achieving that. They bring a sense of heritage to an otherwise modern renovation, while their subtle European influence reflects our own blend of tastes and lifestyle.” 

And as the family evolves, so does the hardware. “Over time, as the brass develops its natural patina, it will tell its own story and become part of the evolving character of the house,” says Roze. “In this way, the hardware isn’t just a finishing detail but part of the larger narrative, transforming what was once a generic house into a home that feels deeply personal and uniquely ours.”