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Houzz Tour: A Luxurious Beach House for More Than Just Holidays
With an eye on retirement, this homeowner replaced a beach cottage she'd bought from her father with a spacious stunner
The little beach cottage that originally sat on this site in the seaside town of Merimbula on NSW’s south coast made for an idyllic holiday destination. But after buying it from her father 10 years ago, the owner and her partner decided they wanted more than just a holiday home on the coast. Instead, they sought a home where they could retire a few years down the track, with space and modern amenities.
The couple turned to building designer David Reynolds at NJR Studios to create a new dwelling that would allow them to maintain their active lifestyle – both now and in the future – and give them plenty of room to entertain and accommodate visitors. Read on to discover how Reynolds went about it.
The couple turned to building designer David Reynolds at NJR Studios to create a new dwelling that would allow them to maintain their active lifestyle – both now and in the future – and give them plenty of room to entertain and accommodate visitors. Read on to discover how Reynolds went about it.
The original house.
Having decided to build a new home rather than renovate the small and dated existing cottage, the client set about refining the design concept with building designer David Reynolds.
“They wanted a spacious and modern coastal home that connected with the natural environment around it,” says Reynolds. “They were also keen for it to stand out from other newly built homes down here, which it really does.”
Having decided to build a new home rather than renovate the small and dated existing cottage, the client set about refining the design concept with building designer David Reynolds.
“They wanted a spacious and modern coastal home that connected with the natural environment around it,” says Reynolds. “They were also keen for it to stand out from other newly built homes down here, which it really does.”
The location.
The house is situated in a picturesque location overlooking Merimbula Lake and the main town of Merimbula.
And while the couple built the new house from scratch, they were keen to maintain a connection with the past: “We kept a sign showing the builder’s license of the client’s father from when he built the original home,” says Reynolds.
Looking to build your dream forever home? Find a building designer near you on Houzz
The house is situated in a picturesque location overlooking Merimbula Lake and the main town of Merimbula.
And while the couple built the new house from scratch, they were keen to maintain a connection with the past: “We kept a sign showing the builder’s license of the client’s father from when he built the original home,” says Reynolds.
Looking to build your dream forever home? Find a building designer near you on Houzz
The ground-floor plan.
For this project, Reynolds had a budget of around $1 million to work with. “Most of it went on the internal joinery and external finishes and features,” he says.
For this project, Reynolds had a budget of around $1 million to work with. “Most of it went on the internal joinery and external finishes and features,” he says.
The first-floor plan.
Weatherboards in Scyon Cladding Linea 180: James Hardie; HardieDeck decking: James Hardie; paint in Terrace White to fascias, railings and windows: Dulux.
Reynolds specified classic white weatherboards for the exterior of the home. “They fit the Australian coastal vibe and work well in this location,” he says.
He chose weatherboards in low-maintenance fibre cement rather than traditional timber so the owners could focus on enjoying their time in the house rather than worrying about its upkeep.
Reynolds specified classic white weatherboards for the exterior of the home. “They fit the Australian coastal vibe and work well in this location,” he says.
He chose weatherboards in low-maintenance fibre cement rather than traditional timber so the owners could focus on enjoying their time in the house rather than worrying about its upkeep.
Front door paint in Candela: Dulux.
The design-savvy client selected the furniture, colours and finishes for the interior and exterior themselves.
“The one thing I pushed for was the front door to be a contrasting colour to the rest of the house, as the interior and exterior were so light,” says Reynolds. In the end, they accepted his suggestion of a soft grey-blue tone for the door, which has a sophisticated, coastal feel.
The design-savvy client selected the furniture, colours and finishes for the interior and exterior themselves.
“The one thing I pushed for was the front door to be a contrasting colour to the rest of the house, as the interior and exterior were so light,” says Reynolds. In the end, they accepted his suggestion of a soft grey-blue tone for the door, which has a sophisticated, coastal feel.
Benchtops in Empira White: Caesarstone; Malawi Tub Bar Chairs in Black: Uniqwa Collections.
As keen cooks and entertainers, the kitchen was always going to be a major focus in this home.
Reynolds designed a generous kitchen island painted in black to provide plenty of prep space and to contrast against the cool white surrounds. “It’s very dramatic against the white and ensures the island is the focal point of the space,” he says.
As keen cooks and entertainers, the kitchen was always going to be a major focus in this home.
Reynolds designed a generous kitchen island painted in black to provide plenty of prep space and to contrast against the cool white surrounds. “It’s very dramatic against the white and ensures the island is the focal point of the space,” he says.
All interior walls, ceilings and kitchen joinery painted in White on White: Dulux; kitchen island painted in Domino: Dulux.
The island and rear benchtops are topped with a Caesarstone Empira White benchtop, which features a soft charcoal pattern that picks up the dark tone of the island joinery.
The island and rear benchtops are topped with a Caesarstone Empira White benchtop, which features a soft charcoal pattern that picks up the dark tone of the island joinery.
To stay organised and keep the kitchen clutter-free when they’re entertaining, the client requested a generous butler’s pantry complete with a second sink, dishwasher and a mix of open and closed storage.
White Oiled Engineered Oak flooring: Woodcut; sofa: Papaya.
A covered deck with a table for eight provides the perfect spot for relaxed meals outdoors. A large servery window allows the cook to pass dishes and drinks straight out to guests from the kitchen.
“The couple entertain here most weeks,” says Reynolds. “It has a peaceful outlook to the landscaped back garden, which has space for children to play – all within sight of the grown-ups. Outdoor heaters make it usable year-round.”
“The couple entertain here most weeks,” says Reynolds. “It has a peaceful outlook to the landscaped back garden, which has space for children to play – all within sight of the grown-ups. Outdoor heaters make it usable year-round.”
The kitchen bench is level with the window, and the surface then extends to form the benchtop on either side of the built-in barbecue, all of which creates a neat and seamless look between inside and out.
Striped sofas: One World. Coffee table: Papaya.
The couple opted for furniture with a timeless and casual feel for the living area. “It’s stylish but very relaxed, and sets the tone for the rest of the house,” says Reynolds.
French doors open onto the front balcony, which has views across Merimbula Lake to the north.
The couple opted for furniture with a timeless and casual feel for the living area. “It’s stylish but very relaxed, and sets the tone for the rest of the house,” says Reynolds.
French doors open onto the front balcony, which has views across Merimbula Lake to the north.
Lopi gas fireplace: Heatworks.
To add to the cosy, coastal feel of the space, the owners opted to clad the fireplace. The same cladding was also used on a wall beside the front door and in the powder room for cohesion.
To add to the cosy, coastal feel of the space, the owners opted to clad the fireplace. The same cladding was also used on a wall beside the front door and in the powder room for cohesion.
The guest powder room.
To add some punch to the all-white guest powder room on the ground floor, Reynolds specified pretty patterned floor tiles.
Brass tapware (also used in the laundry) and a pedestal basin complete the look.
To add some punch to the all-white guest powder room on the ground floor, Reynolds specified pretty patterned floor tiles.
Brass tapware (also used in the laundry) and a pedestal basin complete the look.
Benchtop in Georgian Bluffs: Caesarstone.
An efficient laundry with a stacked washer and dryer is also located on the ground floor. Finger mosaic wall tiles in a soft ecru tone add a decorative touch.
An efficient laundry with a stacked washer and dryer is also located on the ground floor. Finger mosaic wall tiles in a soft ecru tone add a decorative touch.
A classic Hamptons-style stairway leads up to three additional bedrooms and a second living area on the first level.
The vanity in the guest ensuite was painted the same colour – Dulux Domino – as the kitchen island to create a sense of visual connection between the two spaces.
Bathroom benchtops in Georgian Bluffs: Caesarstone.
The couple opted for a softer palette of gentle greys and white in the main ensuite to create a restful, retreat-like feel.
The couple opted for a softer palette of gentle greys and white in the main ensuite to create a restful, retreat-like feel.
Vivid Slimline tapware in Brass and/or Brushed Nickel: Phoenix; Koralky chandelier: Beacon Lighting.
Each of the bathrooms in the home has a distinct character. A beaded chandelier sets an opulent tone in the main bathroom on the first floor. Grey subway tiles laid vertically on the walls adds a contemporary edge.
Each of the bathrooms in the home has a distinct character. A beaded chandelier sets an opulent tone in the main bathroom on the first floor. Grey subway tiles laid vertically on the walls adds a contemporary edge.
The feature wall in the guest bedroom on the ground floor was inspired by a design the owners found online.
The main bedroom leads onto a covered balcony with stunning views. “The owners will have breakfast or a coffee up here, read or sometimes enjoy late drinks,” says Reynolds.
Precious family mementos are displayed in the study. “The desk is a family heirloom from England and above it sits a family tree. The owner found a letter in it from the Queen, addressed to the owner’s family, thanking them for housing people during the bombings of England in World War Two,” says Reynolds.
A deck outside the laundry provides another delightful spot to have a coffee and catch the morning sun.
Brass outdoor shower: Contap Industries.
After a trip to the beach, the couple and their guests use a brass outdoor shower to rinse off.
After a trip to the beach, the couple and their guests use a brass outdoor shower to rinse off.
The house gently lit up at night.
Your turn
Do you love this luxe beach house as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another new build? Check out this story – East Meets West: A Knockdown-Rebuild That Fuses Different Styles
Your turn
Do you love this luxe beach house as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another new build? Check out this story – East Meets West: A Knockdown-Rebuild That Fuses Different Styles
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A semi-retired couple from Mosman, NSW
Location: Merimbula, NSW
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Four bedrooms and four bathrooms
Size: 290 square metres
Budget: Around $1 million
Building designer: NJR Studios
Builder: Luke Williams at Wilmax Constructions
Kitchen designer: Pace Kitchens
Electrics: MBE Electrical
Plumbing: Plevey & Son
Insulation: Eden Plaster Linings & Insulation
Landscaping: Peter Byard Garden Design
Tiling: LC Tiling Service
Roofing: Ben Hamer Metal Roofing
Concreting: Terry Sinclair Concreting