Image supplied by David & Alicia Girolamo
In the sun-drenched suburbs of Adelaide, husband-and-wife duo David and Alicia Girolamo, the founders of boutique custom home builder Diaz Homes, have created a home that’s as soulful as it is considered.
With David’s construction expertise and Alicia’s eye for earthy, textural design, their shared vision embraces the ancient Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi; a design approach that celebrates finding the beauty within imperfection, impermanence, and authenticity.
The result is a sanctuary that feels grounded, authentic, and quietly powerful. In a world of high-gloss surfaces and fleeting trends, the home is a deliberate act of rebellion.
Speaking to Alicia about the first steps in the design journey, she shares that she was instinctively drawn to spaces with weathered textures, natural materials, and honest finishes.
“Every single image I saved felt raw, minimal, and earthy,” she reflects. “That’s when I discovered it had a name: Wabi Sabi. It honours the cracks, the raw edges, the patina of age, and reminds us that beauty can be found in the simple and imperfect.”
A Home That Breathes
Wabi Sabi became more than a style; it became the compass for every decision. David and Alicia worked with raw materials to shape a home that feels effortless and lived in. From custom barn doors and stairs crafted from reclaimed railway sleepers to textured baths, every corner carries texture and soul.
The walls are limewashed and pair perfectly with softly burnished floors. The edges curve, not cut. And even the art tells a story; plaster-dipped fabrics, stitched leather, and handmade forms sourced or created with family by her side.
“We collected rocks and branches with our children. Our five-year-old helped choose the cacti. Every item has a story, it grounds the home in authenticity that’s entirely ours.”
Alicia’s Vision Meets Uniqwa Collections
Alicia’s vision aligned seamlessly with the Uniqwa ethos: natural, grounded, and full of quiet strength.
Living Room Hero: Naga Antique Coffee Table
It began with the Naga Coffee Table, a reclaimed antique piece once used as a grain grinder by the Naga tribes of far eastern India. It brings with it centuries of traditions and cultural significance. With its timeworn surface and sculptural silhouette, Alicia knew instantly it was more than furniture.
“I actually rearranged our whole living space around it. It’s textured, it’s unique, and it draws the eye without shouting.”
The matching Naga Side Table sits nearby, its curved form and raw timber contrasting beautifully with the structured leather seating and microcement fireplace. Together, they embody Wabi Sabi; aged, earthy, quietly commanding.
Bedroom Sanctuary
In the bedroom, Alicia created a soulful retreat. The Kala Pendant, sculpted from eco-friendly papier-mâché that merges natural inspiration with artisan craftsmanship, offers a soft, organic and sculptural glow over a Malani Side Table, a raw timber root left largely untouched to showcase its natural grain and form.
“The Kala pendant doesn’t compete with the microcement walls. It adds softness, mood, and authenticity. It’s a piece that just belongs.”
Outdoor Retreat
Stepping outside feels like arriving at a boutique resort. Inspired by Palm Springs yet softened with timber and texture, Alicia layered organic elements throughout the alfresco.
The Kusila Pendants, handwoven from synthetic Alang Alang grass, were their very first Uniqwa purchase and the starting point for the entire outdoor palette. Paired with Karoo sofas and a low timber Trunk Coffee Table, the result is luxurious without the polish, an open-air space made for relaxed family living. The dining space brings together the warmth of the reclaimed marine teak Sharman Dining Table with the sculptural form of the contemporary Tula Chairs—an inviting blend of texture and simplicity.
“We didn’t want ‘perfect’. We wanted to feel something when we stepped into each space. That meant choosing furniture with soul.”
Words of Advice
For those creating homes that reflect both function and feeling, Alicia encourages curiosity, conviction, and a bit of grit:
“Don’t follow trends - follow your heart. Ask questions. Keep searching until a material or piece speaks to you.”
She adds that finding the right team, builders, trades, and suppliers who truly understand your vision is just as important as the materials themselves.
“If budget or product availability becomes a roadblock, there are always creative ways around it. You don’t need the most expensive brands—you need people who get your brief.”
Ultimately, Alicia believes a home should be felt as much as it is seen.
“It’s not enough for a space to just work. It should reflect who you are, every time you walk through the door.”
Final Thought
“It took months of research, endless decisions, and maybe a few near-divorce moments - but when you walk into each room and think, ‘this is so me,’ it’s worth every second.”
This home is proof that beauty lives in the raw and the real. It’s not polished to perfection, but all the more compelling for it. Alicia and David's journey through Wabi Sabi design, anchored by materials with memory and pieces with presence, is a gentle reminder: sometimes the most powerful spaces are the ones that whisper.
Diaz Homes
This stunning home was thoughtfully built by Diaz Homes to showcase their design and construction expertise, and it’s now open to view as a display home. To arrange a visit, connect directly with Diaz Homes.
All Uniqwa Collections pieces featured can be purchased through Alicia, who can assist with sourcing and ordering.
Image supplied by David & Alicia Girolamo