Beach Walks, Whistling Soundtracks & Style With Soul: Inside the Creative World of Aussie Hotelier Sheree Commerford

If you find yourself on Australian creative director Sheree Commerford’s Instagram, you might mistake it for a love letter to the ‘endless summer’ aesthetic. Think: blue-hued ocean dips, sandy-haired children, sun-faded overalls and golden-hour selfies framed by salt-sprayed mirrors – it’s a feed that radiates warmth, freedom and an effortless kind of coastal charm.

Sheree began her career as a fashion stylist before moving into design, launching the now-closed label Woodford & Co., and later collaborating on projects with brands such as AG Jeans and, more recently, Outland Denim. Since raising her family and spending a lot of time travelling the world with her two children, Sugar and Captain, Sheree has since rerouted her creative energy towards something more personal – and entirely rooted in place. That place is Yamba: a sleepy beach town on the New South Wales coast, where she founded Il Delfino, a boutique inn that feels like something straight out of a Slim Aarons photograph. 

Opened just over a year ago, Il Delfino is a sensorial experience shaped by memory, nostalgia, and an enduring love for the sea. The concept draws from Commerford’s own childhood spent swimming in the ocean and roaming barefoot along the Yamba coastline, as well as sun-drenched European summers staying in rustic seaside hotels in Italy.

The space itself is the stuff of beach-life daydreams: terracotta-tiled terraces warmed by the sun, orange-and-white striped cushions that look plucked from a 1970s beach club, and crisp white linens that catch the ocean breeze. Open the shutters and you’re met with uninterrupted views of the sea: glimmering and impossibly blue. It’s an escape that blends nostalgia, design, and a big hit of vitamin sea. Need any more convincing?

To get a glimpse into the world behind Il Delfino, we caught up with the former stylist to hear more about her life as a New South Wales hotelier. From daily rituals, to a once-in-a-lifetime road trip across America (complete with the sound of wolves howling in the night), she shares the moments that continue to shape her ever-evolving lust for travel and creativity...

MY WEEKDAYS START WITH... An early Pilates session or a beach walk and swim with our dog, Sophia Loren, followed by a cold and hot plunge. I spend most of my day in my studio at home or drive to Il Delfino to work at the office with the team. Afternoons are filled with the kids’ activities, followed by dinner and homework. We’re always on the go, and we’re lucky enough to travel for both my and my husband’s work. When we’re at home, we’re not tightly scheduled, so you’ll find us at the beach for a late swim, having dinner with friends or, if my husband is home (he runs a climate solutions business that involves a lot of travel), enjoying a big cook-up with family. 

I DON’T ENJOY WORKING... Anywhere within the family space. Working at the kitchen table or in the lounge room feels like an unwelcome crossover between family life and work, and I often feel like I’m short-changing my children in some way. If I have to work at weekends, working from my bed actually helps me separate it in some way, making it feel more like a break than work. I grab my coffee, settle into fresh sheets and enjoy the view of my backyard, with its palm trees and peaceful reserve.

MUSIC WILL ALWAYS HELP ME WHEN... Working on something creative – it represents a kind of mental freedom, and I usually choose music that inspires the project. When working on Il Delfino, our Spotify playlists are always playing – I highly recommend them; you’ll feel like you’re on holiday instead of working, or transported to a completely different era. My favourite background music right now is by an Australian artist called Molly Lewis, who whistles. It’s quite amazing.

FILM IS ALWAYS A REFERENCE POINT... Although I do love storytelling in any medium. I can become slightly obsessed with a character – whether it’s how they love, how they dress or the spaces they inhabit. Diane Keaton in Annie Hall, Richard Gere in American Gigolo, or Meryl Streep in Out of Africa. Individuals in history or characters in films and shows, in all their detail, can become major inspirations. You can see this love of nostalgia throughout Il Delfino, everything from the wall colours and the shape of the railings to the cushion prints draws on design references from days gone by. 

WHAT I WEAR IMPACTS HOW I FEEL... And my creativity. It’s why I wanted to create a piece that supports creativity while offering the freedom of versatility. So, recently I designed an overall with B Corp brand Outland Denim for this very reason. It’s the perfect garment for seamlessly transitioning between different environments – from the art studio and working on land to meetings or going out. I also love wearing ARTCLUB by Heidi Middleton, Rika Studios, Sézane, Wardrobe NYC, Celine and I’m obsessed with anything Chemena Kamali is doing at Chloé right now.

I CAN FIND INSPIRATION... Anywhere. The world is full of beauty and intrigue; there can never be just one place I am inspired – it’s everywhere. Europe, particularly Italy, has always had a natural pull for me with its culture, architecture and history. However, one of our greatest travel memories was when our children were little and we road-tripped for a couple of months with an Airstream, camping in national parks. We travelled from California to Arizona, New Mexico, and then up through Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. It was the most magical time, travelling with them and watching them discover the world. I’ll never forget sleeping on the edge of Yellowstone National Park, listening to the wolves howl. 

IF I’M STUCK IN A RUT... A physical change in my work environment is a great creative refresher. Even something simple like rearranging my studio or putting up new art, or listening to new music can shift my perspective. Dressing differently can also set me on a whole new creative path. I never specifically seek out a place to inspire me for a particular project. Instead, I just catalogue memories of places I’ve been, and dream of places that I want to experience. There’s something about new beginnings that will always excite me – and I can translate that back into my work. 

IF I WASN’T DOING WHAT I DO NOW, I WOULD... In my dreams, be an Oscar-winning actress. In reality? Probably a film critic or costume designer. Maybe an interior designer!