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Houzz Tour: Life's a Beach House for This Family of Six
Adding extra space and luxuries meant this growing family could continue living in their much-loved beach house
A home is more than just four walls, a roof and a floor. It’s more than a place to eat, sleep and store belongings. It’s where relationships are developed, families are nurtured and where life events happen. The owners of this 1950s weatherboard home in Trigg, WA, had such an emotional connection to their house that after they moved to a larger home nearby, they felt compelled to move back in.
With four children, they had outgrown their much-loved beach house, but it’s where they felt they belonged. They engaged David Wilkes Design to add extra space and luxuries while maintaining the beach-house feel they loved. “In an area of Perth where so many large homes push height restrictions, it’s great to have been involved with clients who wanted to maintain a relaxed feel and home rather than copy what’s seen as the norm for their neighbours,” says David Wilkes.
With four children, they had outgrown their much-loved beach house, but it’s where they felt they belonged. They engaged David Wilkes Design to add extra space and luxuries while maintaining the beach-house feel they loved. “In an area of Perth where so many large homes push height restrictions, it’s great to have been involved with clients who wanted to maintain a relaxed feel and home rather than copy what’s seen as the norm for their neighbours,” says David Wilkes.
Wilkes positioned the outdoor living areas at the front of the house to take advantage of the ocean views to the north and north-west. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area also look out to these views, with the master suite positioned alongside. There is a bedroom and rumpus room in the centre of the house, and a new rear addition accommodates three new children’s bedrooms.
A games room has been built above the existing freestanding garage, where the second storey is not visible from the street.
Ready to redesign or renovate your home? Find a building designer near you on Houzz for expert advice about what’s possible on your site
Ready to redesign or renovate your home? Find a building designer near you on Houzz for expert advice about what’s possible on your site
A new covered alfresco area and infinity-edge pool are in the front yard, and set the tone for the laid-back vibe of the house. “A formal entry wasn’t possible with the front of the home opened up, but this informal entry adds to the relaxed beach-house feel,” says Wilkes.
The partly above-ground swimming pool takes advantage of the fall of the site as it slopes downwards from east to west. “We wanted to avoid having a traditional pool fence, so we raised the pool level above the adjacent lawn. This worked perfectly with the fall of the landform so that no fence is required along the main length,” Wilkes explains.
The exterior of the pool is clad in mosaic tiles in a herringbone pattern to add texture and detail.
Pool tiles: Myaree Ceramics
Pool tiles: Myaree Ceramics
The existing front deck is now a tiled alfresco area with a skillion roof to complement the existing structure of the house.
The outdoor living and dining area receives north and north-western sun and has views of the ocean.
Kevin Stool: Nood Co
Kevin Stool: Nood Co
Wilkes used stacking glass doors and louvre windows, which open up between the deck and interior, and the same terrazzo tiles feature on the floor inside and out to create a flowing sense of space.
Terrazzo tiles: Myaree Ceramics
Terrazzo tiles: Myaree Ceramics
The open-plan kitchen, dining and living rooms were completely renovated to create a light, open and breezy space. Lisa Ewart of Collected Interiors furnished the house to create a functional, modern, easy-living interior that reflects the style of the family.
A neutral colour palette with soft blue tones is used throughout, and textiles are layered in the sheer curtains, rugs and soft furnishings.
Evoking the ocean-side location of the house, a framed picture of rippling tides hangs on the wall behind the dining table. The white frame on the white wall draws attention to the image, while a timber dining table and stools add natural warmth and colour.
Wilkes designed a completely new kitchen with the island bench facing the dining and living area, and a butler’s pantry providing an additional room tucked neatly behind the unit of appliances.
The monochromatic palette in the kitchen features dark joinery on the upper cabinets, which provides a recessive backdrop in the space. The mosaic-tile splashback wraps around the wall above the kitchen bench and the Caesarstone benchtop evokes raw concrete.
Raw Concrete benchtop: Caesarstone; custom lacquered V-groove panels: Urban Cabinets
Raw Concrete benchtop: Caesarstone; custom lacquered V-groove panels: Urban Cabinets
A new powder room has also been incorporated behind the kitchen, and is accessed from the central hallway.
Wall tiles: Myaree Ceramics
Wall tiles: Myaree Ceramics
The master bedroom is at the front of the house with views to the lawn and swimming pool. Wilkes removed a wall between the existing master bedroom and another bedroom to create one larger space for the bed and a sitting area.
The sitting area in the bedroom has glass doors leading to a front patio. Glass doors alongside the bed open directly to a deck and the swimming pool.
A rumpus room in the centre of the house provides another living area for the family to be together, find privacy or enjoy time with friends.
Wilkes converted the former study into a large family bathroom with double basins and plenty of vanity space for the children.
Wall tiles: Myaree Ceramics
Wall tiles: Myaree Ceramics
Three new children’s bedrooms are all generous in size with built-in wardrobes. Each has its own character with colourful, patterned walls such as this wallpaper, designed by Catalina Estrada.
Petal bed head: The Family Love Tree
Your turn
What do you love about this home design? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great design? You’ll love this clever knockdown rebuild: Goodbye Poky Californian Bungalow, Hello High-Tech Eco Home
Petal bed head: The Family Love Tree
Your turn
What do you love about this home design? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great design? You’ll love this clever knockdown rebuild: Goodbye Poky Californian Bungalow, Hello High-Tech Eco Home
Who lives here: A couple with four children aged between nine and 15
Location: Perth, WA
Size: 480 square metres with five bedrooms and three bathrooms
Building design: David Wilkes Design
Interior design: Collected Interiors
Landscape design: Ascher Smith
The house may look like a modest beach home from the front, but it is now a five-bedroom abode that extends the length of the site.