114 Australian House & Garden
H&G HOUSES
< to the living area. He enclosed the stairs and shifted the entry to
the ground fl oor, which also accommodates a bunk bedroom,
guestroom, bathroom and casual living area. Upstairs is the open-
plan kitchen, living and dining space, two bedrooms and a bathroom.
Aesthetically, the place was completely refreshed. “We referenced
the 1950s beach cottage look by whitewashing the original cypress
fl oors, installing louvres, adding panelling to all the walls and
painting the interiors in pale beachy pastels,” says Brett.
The furnishings refl ect the live-in-your-cossie lifestyle. “There is a
lot of vintage, to make it feel like the house had been in the family for
a while, but nothing super-pricey,” says Brett. Key pieces include
vintage bamboo armchairs, a refectory-style dining table in recycled
huon pine and a tiki-style sideboard.
But, he stresses, it was important not to treat the house as a period
cottage. “It needed to be current, so I included the latest fabrics,
smart pendant lights and modern artworks, to make it feel more
contemporary.” Grasscloth wallpaper brings texture to the
downstairs bathroom while cork fl ooring, so practical in a seaside
setting, extends throughout the lower level. Top of the owners’ wish
list was a huge, squishy sofa to accommodate the whole family in
comfort, which Brett had custom made.
Melissa says the living room is defi nitely her favourite spot. “You
can see the beach through the louvres and it all feels so peaceful. The
sofa is so comfy, and we can all sit on it and watch a movie,” she says.
“All the family can be together.” #
BMID, Surry Hills, NSW; (02) 9690 0053 or bmid.com.au.
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tour of this house.BedKitchenDiningLivingFIRST FLOORBedBathVerandahVerandahBathGROUND FLOORBedBunk room DeckFamilyOutdoor
Entrance shower