Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Scandi-Inspired Reno Creates a Light-Filled Beachside Home
A slow and discerning makeover transformed this dark family home into a bright and modern beach house
With a mix of coastal charm and Scandinavian sensibility, interior Stylist Simone Delaney of Public/Private says the aim she had in mind when decorating this house on Sydney’s sunny northern beaches was to “create a welcoming, breezy, light-filled home”. Although the home started out with a dark and outdated décor, Delaney turned it into a bright retreat, with a cool colour palette and contemporary styling.
The colour palette throughout the house was influenced by its close proximity to the ocean, which is just a short five-minute walk away. This neighbourhood has a coastal-town vibe, with original beach-style shacks from the 70s. “We wanted to take on that coastal influence, but bring it into the now. Nothing too contrived or overly beachy,” says Delaney. “Soft blues and greys really informed the palette throughout.”
Wall Dot hooks: Muuto; bench seat: Jimmy Possum; light fixtures: Caravaggio; pendant lights: Matt Blatt
Wall Dot hooks: Muuto; bench seat: Jimmy Possum; light fixtures: Caravaggio; pendant lights: Matt Blatt
Seabreeze Kitchens designed the kitchen space, keeping those soft blue hues intact. Delaney suggests embracing colour or texture when renovating.
Parisian light fixtures: Schots Emporium; custom cabinets: Seabreeze Kitchens; kitchen island painted in ‘Miles’: Dulux; kitchen stools: Green Cathedral;
flooring: Marco Polo; tiles: Academy Tiles
Parisian light fixtures: Schots Emporium; custom cabinets: Seabreeze Kitchens; kitchen island painted in ‘Miles’: Dulux; kitchen stools: Green Cathedral;
flooring: Marco Polo; tiles: Academy Tiles
“The kitchen is my favourite room in the home. What could have been a very plain white design was elevated to the space it is today by adding in a blue kitchen island, floral patterned blinds and a textured white tile splashback,” says Delaney. “All of these elements combined help to add style and charisma to a space which can often be let down when people are afraid to go outside the normal boundaries.”
Hexagonal ‘Star’ tiles: Academy Tiles; pot tapware: The English Tapware Company; stovetop: Qasair
Hexagonal ‘Star’ tiles: Academy Tiles; pot tapware: The English Tapware Company; stovetop: Qasair
Delaney and Reid took a few design research trips to Mark Tuckey and Jardan furniture stores, to allow the designer to get a sense of her client’s specific style goals.
The dining table by Mark Tuckey is a key piece of furniture in the home, particularly for a family that enjoys spending time catching up during large meals, and playing board games together. The original dining table had been with the family for 30 years; Delaney thinks this new piece is also likely to go the distance.
The dining table by Mark Tuckey is a key piece of furniture in the home, particularly for a family that enjoys spending time catching up during large meals, and playing board games together. The original dining table had been with the family for 30 years; Delaney thinks this new piece is also likely to go the distance.
Since the renovations took over a year and a half to be finished, cohesive design throughout the whole house was very thought out. All styling and building choices were made to ensure changes looked as though they had happened without any time lapse.
The first living room is just off the kitchen and follows through with the colour palette.
On the other side of this fireplace is the second living area. The fireplace and mantel were existing and the natural timber mantel was given a clear coat of varnish. Exposed wooden beams originally ran across the ceiling from the kitchen to the living area. These were removed to allow the space to feel more open and to keep a consistent ceiling plane from room to room.
The most luxurious purchase made for this room was the custom-made coffee table by Mark Tuckey that, “helped ground the space in a way that any other coffee table couldn’t have,” says Delaney.
Westwood Sofa: Moran; sofa upholstered in ‘Ivory Aristotle’ fabric: Warwick Fabrics; plantation shutters: Sublime Shutters; Mink chairs: Molmic Vivian; lamps: Coco Republic
The three additional rooms were designed as spare bedrooms to provide warmth and comfort for overnight visitors. Reid’s grandchildren visit often, so she wanted to ensure they had their own rooms. “The blue room and yellow room were designed specifically with them in mind. The bedroom pictured here was for 13-year-old Grace, whose favourite colour is blue,” says Delaney.
Bedhead: Heatherly Design; lamp and side table: Matt Blatt
Bedhead: Heatherly Design; lamp and side table: Matt Blatt
The yellow room doubles as a designated retreat for grandson Sam, who is 16.
Bedhead: Heatherly Design; ceiling light: custom-made; wall dot: Pony Rider
Bedhead: Heatherly Design; ceiling light: custom-made; wall dot: Pony Rider
“We wanted each room to have its own personality but still retain a sense that it was all a cohesive design,” says Delaney. “There is always something really nice about having a unique touch in each room, particularly the bedrooms, even if they are only guest rooms for most of the year.”
The green room was an addition to the home from a renovation ten years prior, and was completely updated by Delaney. The bedhead and bedside tables were painted in ‘Flooded Gum’ by Dulux, which contrasts nicely against the emerald green Country Road cushions. They also complemented the artworks above the bed, which Delaney made taking inspiration from the cushions.
Lamp: Orson and Blake
Lamp: Orson and Blake
The master bedroom was influenced by the home’s lovely garden, which features large hedges and lavender. Heatherly Design made this bedhead in Designer’s Guild ‘Cassandra’ linen, which has a floral pattern reflecting the outdoor space. A soft colour palette makes the room a serene resting space.
Lamp and bedside table: Beachwood; fan: Big Ass Fans; walls painted in ‘Green Alabaster Half’: Dulux
Lamp and bedside table: Beachwood; fan: Big Ass Fans; walls painted in ‘Green Alabaster Half’: Dulux
Delaney recommends patience and working with the big picture in mind when renovating. “Small changes can lead to drastic whole home renovations. Often times when you make one small change it can open up the possibilities for the rest of your home,” she says.
The green chair, a family heirloom, was given to Reid’s mother by Lady Hooker (LJ Hooker’s wife), who was her employer. It was previously covered in orange velvet and was not being used. Reupholstered by Armchair Collective, Delaney says, “… it now has pride of place in the green bedroom and is the perfect place to sit in the sunny corner and have a cup of tea.”
The green fishing nets were a last minute purchase at an antique store in Narrabeen: they add a touch of nostalgia and whimsy to the room.
The green fishing nets were a last minute purchase at an antique store in Narrabeen: they add a touch of nostalgia and whimsy to the room.
In the main bathroom, the existing bathtub was peach coloured and the bathroom was country-style with yellow walls and a dark timber vanity. Once the fittings and fixtures were changed and the room was renovated, wainscoting was added as a final touch to give the new white walls detail and definition.
Marco Polo flooring: Academy Tiles; Kaldewei Vaio bathtub: Hardware and General; Egg Cup Stool: Mark Tuckey; custom-made blind: Susan’s Curtains and Blinds
Marco Polo flooring: Academy Tiles; Kaldewei Vaio bathtub: Hardware and General; Egg Cup Stool: Mark Tuckey; custom-made blind: Susan’s Curtains and Blinds
One design feature Delaney says she would do differently is the light grey grout between the subway tiles on the bathroom wall that ended up being white. “The homeowner decided against this feature in the end and while the bathroom is still undoubtedly beautiful, it is an element I would change,” she says.
The downstairs bathroom was renovated with a crisp white colour scheme, a large shower replacing the existing bathtub, and grey and white encaustic tiles from Tiles by Kate.
Light fixtures: Dunlin Home; basin: Reece
TELL US
What do you like most about this beachside home in Sydney? Let us know in the Comments.
Light fixtures: Dunlin Home; basin: Reece
TELL US
What do you like most about this beachside home in Sydney? Let us know in the Comments.
Who lives here: Barbara Reid
Location: North Narrabeen, Sydney, NSW
Size: 260 square metres; 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
After a year and a half of renovations, this Narrabeen dream was finished in 2014. Local builder, Darren Kildea, worked with both Delaney and Reid to achieve the desired result for the homeowner.
With the original home being quite a dark space, the ultimate goal of this design was to brighten it up. Two windows added to the back wall of the kitchen allowed light to spill into the spaces and, “set the mood and tone for the rest of the home,” says Delaney. “As soon as the windows were added, the whole feeling of the open-plan home began to change.”