Houzz Tour: Beach Home Throws a Curve Ball at Typical Coast Style
Meet the beach house that combines city and coast, straight lines and curves, and formal informality under one roof
Julia Fairley
25 April 2018
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture... More
When the time came to rebuild their beachside family home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, this husband and wife wanted nothing to do with the typical seaside style we are so familiar with. Instead, they were intent on welcoming a beach vibe into their new home, but wanted the design to give a nod to a more urbane city style as well.
The couple are true Tamarama locals and have lived here for years, raising their teenage son and daughter a stone’s throw from the sand. So when they saw one of Decus Interiors’ previous residential creations nearby – a sculptural home that clings to the coastline just north of here – they approached Alexandra Donohoe Church, the founder and managing director of Decus Interiors, in late 2013 and asked her to design their house.
The couple are true Tamarama locals and have lived here for years, raising their teenage son and daughter a stone’s throw from the sand. So when they saw one of Decus Interiors’ previous residential creations nearby – a sculptural home that clings to the coastline just north of here – they approached Alexandra Donohoe Church, the founder and managing director of Decus Interiors, in late 2013 and asked her to design their house.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A husband and wife, their teenage son and daughter and the family’s two schnauzers
Location: Tamarama, NSW
Size: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Year completed: 2016
Interior design: Decus Interiors
Architecture: Porebski Architects
Here, a coastal essence runs through the veins of both family and site. “They’re barefoot people who love the beach and ocean and are quite outdoorsy, but they also wanted to be able to entertain a lot, so they needed something that wasn’t too stiff and formal but was still sophisticated,” says Donohoe Church of her clients. “That was addressed by not doing that typical ‘coastal’ pastiche.”
Who lives here: A husband and wife, their teenage son and daughter and the family’s two schnauzers
Location: Tamarama, NSW
Size: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Year completed: 2016
Interior design: Decus Interiors
Architecture: Porebski Architects
Here, a coastal essence runs through the veins of both family and site. “They’re barefoot people who love the beach and ocean and are quite outdoorsy, but they also wanted to be able to entertain a lot, so they needed something that wasn’t too stiff and formal but was still sophisticated,” says Donohoe Church of her clients. “That was addressed by not doing that typical ‘coastal’ pastiche.”
The owners wanted to escape from the bland white interiors, predictable rectilinear rooms and matching colour schemes we have seen time and time again in countless homes. They wanted their new home to excite them, they wanted to love it, they wanted a design that thought outside the square. The result, finished in early 2016, is a house with curves in all the right places and an ambience of formal informality.
Including the garage on street level, the house spills over four floors. The first level houses a guest bedroom and study, quietly tucked away from the hubbub of family life that courses through the upper levels.
On the second floor you’ll find three bedrooms, including the master bedroom, a handsome space resplendent with black-stained joinery. On one side the joinery stands in as the couple’s bedhead, while on the other it cleverly frames their walk-through robe and acts as a thoroughfare that leads to their ensuite.
“We introduced a lot of dark joinery to create some richness and temper down the light,” says Donohoe Church. “The home is north-facing and it gets blasted with this beautiful light all day long, so we really tried to introduce some depth of colour and richness in that joinery finishing.
“A lot of the joinery is dark for that reason, but the floors are a milky oak colour and the walls are fresh and white. It was about doing a city-to-beach fit-out, so there’s a bit of glamour in there but it’s still quite fresh.”
Custom black-stained American oak joinery: DSK Kitchens & Furniture; custom-made bedside tables in matching veneer and New York stone top: Decus Interiors
“A lot of the joinery is dark for that reason, but the floors are a milky oak colour and the walls are fresh and white. It was about doing a city-to-beach fit-out, so there’s a bit of glamour in there but it’s still quite fresh.”
Custom black-stained American oak joinery: DSK Kitchens & Furniture; custom-made bedside tables in matching veneer and New York stone top: Decus Interiors
To complement the curves in the floor plan, Donohoe Church worked in organic-shaped light fittings and custom-designed round bedside tables, introducing sensuous lines to the space.
Gubi ‘Cobra’ wall lights: Cult Design; custom-made king bed upholstery by Dedar ‘Aut’: South Pacific Fabrics; Society Linen bedding: Ondene
Gubi ‘Cobra’ wall lights: Cult Design; custom-made king bed upholstery by Dedar ‘Aut’: South Pacific Fabrics; Society Linen bedding: Ondene
“I really like the walk-through robe,” says Donohoe Church of this slim space secreted away behind the master bedroom. “I like the idea of this dark compression before you pop into that wet room with the curved shower,” she says, laughing at the unexpected nature of her response. “It’s all one room but it feels like three different spaces.”
‘Blanco’ floorboards: Havwoods
‘Blanco’ floorboards: Havwoods
Step through the dark, slender, rectilinear space of the walk-through robe and you’ll be met with a burst of contrast when you enter the master ensuite. With its voluptuous sweep and glittering mosaic wall tiles, this bathroom is a wholly different space and a perfect example of the element of the unexpected that Donohoe Church prizes.
The curved shape of the shower was informed by the curve in the floor plan, a unifying form you see throughout the home.
Mero System shower: Rogerseller; Cassina Tabouret stool: Cult Design; V&A Mozzano freestanding bath: Cass Brothers; Pietra Del Nord floor tiles: Onsite
The curved shape of the shower was informed by the curve in the floor plan, a unifying form you see throughout the home.
Mero System shower: Rogerseller; Cassina Tabouret stool: Cult Design; V&A Mozzano freestanding bath: Cass Brothers; Pietra Del Nord floor tiles: Onsite
Although she has forged a career by turning her back on predictable design, Donohoe Church’s creations are not different simply for the sake of being different. She also makes a point of expressing her clients’ individuality, and this home was no exception.
“If you look at hospitality, retail and other commercial projects, there are multiple end users and they don’t necessarily have a genuinely personal connection to the space; whereas with our clients they live there 24/7, so it’s important that they love it. And when they wake up or when they come home from work at the end of the day, [it’s important] that they feel it is really ‘them’,” she explains. “That’s crucial for the happiness of the client.”
Mirrors custom-designed by Decus Interiors: DSK Kitchens & Furniture; Calacatta marble: CDK Stone; Amerind Bouchon veneer: Urban Veneer; Logic wall set tapware: Rogerseller; Ultra X Down-Up wall lights: Inlite; Cognac Glass Penny Rounds mosaics: Onsite
“If you look at hospitality, retail and other commercial projects, there are multiple end users and they don’t necessarily have a genuinely personal connection to the space; whereas with our clients they live there 24/7, so it’s important that they love it. And when they wake up or when they come home from work at the end of the day, [it’s important] that they feel it is really ‘them’,” she explains. “That’s crucial for the happiness of the client.”
Mirrors custom-designed by Decus Interiors: DSK Kitchens & Furniture; Calacatta marble: CDK Stone; Amerind Bouchon veneer: Urban Veneer; Logic wall set tapware: Rogerseller; Ultra X Down-Up wall lights: Inlite; Cognac Glass Penny Rounds mosaics: Onsite
Without pushing the boundaries too outrageously, the design of this house taps into the family’s craving for spaces that piqued their interest. It also respects the diverse styles of each soul living under its roof.
The two teenagers who call this house home also have their bedrooms and ensuite on the second floor, but these zones have a distinctly different flavour compared to their parents’ quarters.
“We gave each bathroom its own personality,” says Donohoe Church, who was attentive to the likes and dislikes of the family’s younger members as well.
The two teenagers who call this house home also have their bedrooms and ensuite on the second floor, but these zones have a distinctly different flavour compared to their parents’ quarters.
“We gave each bathroom its own personality,” says Donohoe Church, who was attentive to the likes and dislikes of the family’s younger members as well.
Likewise, the style of each bedroom is a reflection of its owner. By applying a consistent approach throughout the home, Decus Interiors unified each room without whitewashing over their differences. “We look to create interiors that are quite textural and layered, so we tend to prefer more natural materials and an organic approach,” says Donohoe Church.
‘Walls throughout painted in ‘Vivid White’: Dulux
‘Walls throughout painted in ‘Vivid White’: Dulux
Climb the stairs to the top level of this home and you’ll find the central living and entertaining spaces, which gaze out to the blue of the Pacific Ocean.
Stretching across a single level, the top floor embodies the open-plan kitchen, dining space and a pair of formal and informal living areas.
New York stone splashback: SNB Stone; Diro Trimless downlights with black snoot: Inlite
New York stone splashback: SNB Stone; Diro Trimless downlights with black snoot: Inlite
Entertaining is serious business in this down-to-earth house. This is reflected in Donohoe Church’s choice of materials, which delivered a home that can easily withstand the boisterous lives of two teenagers and their fun-loving parents.
Antique Black granite: SNB Stone; Bassam Fellows Tractor Walnut stools: Living Edge
Antique Black granite: SNB Stone; Bassam Fellows Tractor Walnut stools: Living Edge
Here you see the home’s modernist style coming to the fore. Although much of the furniture references organic curves, the clean edges and straight lines of the kitchen and dining spaces make strong linear statements.
You won’t find ornately detailed cornices or skirting boards here. Instead, pronounced shadow lines, dark furniture and joinery, and bold, adjustable lighting tracks forge a less-is-more approach. “The architecture was quite modern to start with in terms of the externals, facade and floor plan, so we picked up on that and ran with it internally,” says Donohoe Church.
Cassina Cab chairs: Cult Design; Blanco floorboards: Havwoods
You won’t find ornately detailed cornices or skirting boards here. Instead, pronounced shadow lines, dark furniture and joinery, and bold, adjustable lighting tracks forge a less-is-more approach. “The architecture was quite modern to start with in terms of the externals, facade and floor plan, so we picked up on that and ran with it internally,” says Donohoe Church.
Cassina Cab chairs: Cult Design; Blanco floorboards: Havwoods
On the top level of this home, the spotlight falls firmly on feature artworks in both living areas. In the more formal of these two spaces hangs an oversized artwork by Tim Maguire from his famed poppy series.
Antique Black granite: SNB Stone; linen window treatments: Simple Studio
Antique Black granite: SNB Stone; linen window treatments: Simple Studio
“The only stipulation was that we had to have that hanging in that room, so the whole room was informed by that artwork,” Donohoe Church says of the owners’ pre-existing piece. To complement the artwork, Decus Interiors let the colours in the piece dictate those in the rest of the room.
Again, you’ll find subtle sweeps and curves in this formal living area. In plan, the fireplace detailing curves back to the wall, while the suite of rounded leather armchairs and ottoman sit in front.
Minotti Capri armchairs and ottoman; Minotti Kirk Cross coffee table: both from DeDeCe; custom colour Spiderweb rug: Robyn Cosgrove
Again, you’ll find subtle sweeps and curves in this formal living area. In plan, the fireplace detailing curves back to the wall, while the suite of rounded leather armchairs and ottoman sit in front.
Minotti Capri armchairs and ottoman; Minotti Kirk Cross coffee table: both from DeDeCe; custom colour Spiderweb rug: Robyn Cosgrove
Like their designer, the owners of this house were not afraid to use black. “They were very trusting,” says Donohoe Church. As a result, shots of obsidian streak the interior landscape and are offset by earthy browns, fresh whites and glistening lighting fixtures.
For the informal living space located on the opposite side of the top floor, Donohoe Church once more took visual cues from the colours in the feature artwork she selected for the space.
“We purchased the blue Kovacs for them in the more informal living space and definitely referenced the artwork in how we layered up the room,” she says. From the blues, teals and greens you respectively see in the couch, side tables and cushions, right down to the sapphire-coloured vase and the curvaceous furniture and light fittings, the hues and forms in this space all tie together.
Blue Kate Hume Rock vessel: Hub Furniture; black Atollo table lamp: Euroluce; Moroso M.A.S.S.A.S sofa: Hub Furniture; Knoll Womb chair: DeDeCe; Christophe Delcourt OUK and OUM ceramic tables: Ondene; Naturals Nayoma rug: Cadrys; artwork: Ildiko Kovacs
Blue Kate Hume Rock vessel: Hub Furniture; black Atollo table lamp: Euroluce; Moroso M.A.S.S.A.S sofa: Hub Furniture; Knoll Womb chair: DeDeCe; Christophe Delcourt OUK and OUM ceramic tables: Ondene; Naturals Nayoma rug: Cadrys; artwork: Ildiko Kovacs
But although every centimetre of this home seems to work harmoniously in concert, it thankfully lacks the bland sameness where everything matches perfectly. Without straying too far beyond the boundaries, it nudges at the edges to deliver a memorable result, without even a whiff of predictability.
Roda Harp lounge chairs, ottoman, side table and coffee table: Domo; Technoquartz floor tiles: Bisanna Tiles; Doz 100 S downlights: Inlite
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like the story, save your favourite images and join in the conversation.
More
Take a look at last week’s Stickybeak of the Week: A Glass Bridge Connects Old and New
Roda Harp lounge chairs, ottoman, side table and coffee table: Domo; Technoquartz floor tiles: Bisanna Tiles; Doz 100 S downlights: Inlite
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like the story, save your favourite images and join in the conversation.
More
Take a look at last week’s Stickybeak of the Week: A Glass Bridge Connects Old and New
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Bravo,different,interesting but not cold and hard surfaced.Use of colour is so good- particularly the warm terracotta and the artwork.Very nice to see something that isn't formulaic and predictable.
Love the mix of colours and textures, the lightness and brightness, esp. as mentioned the 2 rooms featuring the large art work - love the art. The dark appeals - except for in the dark wardrobe area, and the narrow entrance into that area, at least is it appears in the photo here, I actually immediately feel claustrophobic looking at it and a bit ill. The white bedroom with curved wall, what an oasis, your spirit is released.
Stunning home. Bold and brilliant with pops of colour and curvaceous lines. I could easily live here.