Sophisticated Seaside Style
Our client was very clear with their brief when they came to us, which was a large, lightweight home with a mixture of claddings and a beach feel where the main upper living area fully enjoyed the coastal views. Spacious bedrooms were also extremely important as they were great entertainers and wanted a home which would suit their growing family for many years. A modern simple façade was requested with large raked ceilings and plenty of ventilation was also paramount. When we presented our first draft the Owner’s fell in love and felt we had captured their vision perfectly; they were extremely excited to proceed.
The result is a striking home built for many years of family fun. A mixture of 75mm Dulux Exulite and James Hardie Stria cladding along with Primeline Newport with a fully landscaped yard make this a beach home to remember.
As you walk through the inviting “Harbor Blue” front door which is framed in a natural dry stack sandstone veneer, you can either choose to go straight upstairs (in search of the ocean views) or, turn to the right and discover a large light flooded living room. You will not be disappointed, as this space also enjoys a view of the adjacent reserve; it is serviced by a large kitchenette and study.
Following through the passage you will find a family three-way bathroom along with a fully fitted out laundry. Two large bedrooms, both with ample storage, create a completely self-contained zone downstairs.
Heading up the timber staircase (which is illuminated with individual LED lighting) you will already start to get a feeling of spaciousness. Raked ceilings run the entire width of the upper level, creating both a visually impressive space along with allowing northern light into a completely south facing zone. The highlight windows also allow the air to move freely throughout the space.
The living area is flanked on one side by a large wood burning fire, clad to the ceiling in the same natural sandstone as downstairs. On the other side, the staircase’s frameless balustrade helps separate the living room from the kitchen and dining areas.
A fully equipped family kitchen with Miele appliances and a feature glass splashback enjoy a view of the ocean along with the reserve out to the east. The front of the home is wrapped with a large tiled balcony for sunny, summer days.
At the rear of the upper story is the Owner’s wing and guest suite. They enjoy a view out to the ocean as their feature corner windows sneak out past the front section of the home to again take advantage of the many angles of view.
The ensuite is crisp and clean, tiled to the ceiling with large white tiles and includes a spacious shower.
The guests enjoy a private room overlooking the rear yard and the views beyond; they also have access to a full three-way bathroom. A small passage and clear glass door lead out to a large, north-facing tiled balcony which is wrapped in a frameless glass balustrade. It’s the perfect spot to relax on chillier days, overlooking the kids in the garden (and the hills beyond).
A staircase off this balcony leads you back downstairs to the outdoor kitchen and entertaining zone, which is finished with exposed aggregate concrete and includes an outdoor shower.
The home site was problematic, requiring complete boundary retaining and a number of concrete piers to complete the raft foundation. The Client’s chose to construct the home from a mixture of lightweight materials and now have a timeless yet striking home to enjoy for many years to come.
