Houzz Tour: Mid-Century Coastal Cottages Inspire this Family Home
A dark, disconnected 1960s cottage is transformed into a light-filled family home showcasing the owners' craftsmanship
Rebecca Gross
13 February 2020
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
The beautiful range of handcrafted timber furniture, vanities and joinery produced by Loughlin Furniture has been a go-to for Fabric Architecture, which has specified many of its pieces for residential projects over the years. So when Rob and Jess Loughlin wanted to renovate their 1960s cottage, they turned to Fabric Architecture, having formed a great relationship and understanding of each other’s work.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Rob and Jess Loughlin; their three children, Bailey, Ashley and Harriet; and their Hungarian vizla, Baxter
Location: Toukley, NSW
Size: The house is 146 square metres with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and the barn is 24 square metres
Architecture and design: Fabric Architecture
Joinery: Loughlin Furniture
Builder: Hudson Lane Projects
The Loughlins bought their house in Toukley on the NSW Central Coast in 2007. Having lived in the cottage for a number of years, they engaged Fabric Architecture to renovate their home, adding another bedroom, ensuite and opening the living area to the outdoors.
Fabric took cues from the classic mid-century cottages that once lined the Toukley peninsula. The firm transformed the dark and disconnected interior into a light-filled home, and designed a barn at the rear of the property to provide a retreat for all members of the family. And of course, the house and barn showcase the handcrafted timber furniture produced by Loughlin Furniture, as well as custom joinery for the kitchen and barn.
Toukley is a residential area with 20th-century brick and weatherboard houses lining its streets, characteristic of coastal holiday towns. The Loughlins’ cottage is a single-storey house with a pitched roof, and Fabric wanted to retain its characteristic mid-century, coastal style. “The design references the humble qualities of the cottage, while highlighting these details through exquisite craftsmanship,” says Brent Fitzpatrick of Fabric Architecture.
Who lives here: Rob and Jess Loughlin; their three children, Bailey, Ashley and Harriet; and their Hungarian vizla, Baxter
Location: Toukley, NSW
Size: The house is 146 square metres with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and the barn is 24 square metres
Architecture and design: Fabric Architecture
Joinery: Loughlin Furniture
Builder: Hudson Lane Projects
The Loughlins bought their house in Toukley on the NSW Central Coast in 2007. Having lived in the cottage for a number of years, they engaged Fabric Architecture to renovate their home, adding another bedroom, ensuite and opening the living area to the outdoors.
Fabric took cues from the classic mid-century cottages that once lined the Toukley peninsula. The firm transformed the dark and disconnected interior into a light-filled home, and designed a barn at the rear of the property to provide a retreat for all members of the family. And of course, the house and barn showcase the handcrafted timber furniture produced by Loughlin Furniture, as well as custom joinery for the kitchen and barn.
Toukley is a residential area with 20th-century brick and weatherboard houses lining its streets, characteristic of coastal holiday towns. The Loughlins’ cottage is a single-storey house with a pitched roof, and Fabric wanted to retain its characteristic mid-century, coastal style. “The design references the humble qualities of the cottage, while highlighting these details through exquisite craftsmanship,” says Brent Fitzpatrick of Fabric Architecture.
Fabric used Houzz to set up ideabooks for the project. “It’s a great way to gain an insight into the client’s personal style,” says Fitzpatrick.
Much of the interior has been reworked to create a more practical and efficient use of space and to bring in more light and connect to the outdoors. Fabric added an ensuite to the master bedroom at the front of the house, and a fourth bedroom at the rear. A series of dark and poky rooms have been transformed into an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area that opens to a new deck, garden and barn beyond.
Much of the interior has been reworked to create a more practical and efficient use of space and to bring in more light and connect to the outdoors. Fabric added an ensuite to the master bedroom at the front of the house, and a fourth bedroom at the rear. A series of dark and poky rooms have been transformed into an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area that opens to a new deck, garden and barn beyond.
Three bedrooms are at the front of the house, with the hallway leading directly into the new kitchen, living and dining area.
Engineered oak flooring: Hurford Wholesale
Engineered oak flooring: Hurford Wholesale
The comfortable family living area is a light-filled space with white, grey, blue and natural materials evoking a coastal vibe. “While being robust and easy to work with, we selected the materials and finishes to respect the traditional cottage,” says Fitzpatrick.
Loughlin Furniture’s Avalon Round Coffee Table is the centrepiece of the living area. The Loughlins established their furniture company in 2009. Rob Loughlin found his passion for woodworking as an apprentice and, wanting to go out on his own, he started selling his furniture and lighting at Sydney’s Paddington Markets in NSW. He uses premium, sustainable hardwoods such as blackbutt, spotted gum and American oak, creating contemporary furniture with forms inspired by Danish and Shaker design.
Avalon Round Coffee Table and Barrenjoey Kids Stools: Loughlin Furniture
Avalon Round Coffee Table and Barrenjoey Kids Stools: Loughlin Furniture
The Pacific Entertainment Unit extends along the living room wall, with a customised length to accentuate the size of the area.
Pacific Entertainment Unit: Loughlin Furniture
Pacific Entertainment Unit: Loughlin Furniture
Three sliding barn doors on one continuous track provide access to the laundry, bathroom and newly added bedroom.
“The barn-door idea came from a discussion on-site. Once the walls were framed and the spaces could be experienced, Rob suggested barn doors on one continuous track,” says Fitzpatrick. It also provided an opportunity for Loughlin to showcase the barn doors he had recently started producing.
Traditional Barn Doors: Loughlin Furniture
“The barn-door idea came from a discussion on-site. Once the walls were framed and the spaces could be experienced, Rob suggested barn doors on one continuous track,” says Fitzpatrick. It also provided an opportunity for Loughlin to showcase the barn doors he had recently started producing.
Traditional Barn Doors: Loughlin Furniture
The barn doors in crisp Dulux Natural White stand out against the grey Dulux Stepney and provide an understated backdrop. The timber and rattan of the dining table, chairs and pendant light also complement other furniture in the open-plan space.
Balmoral Dining Table: Loughlin Furniture; dining chairs and pendant: HK Living
Balmoral Dining Table: Loughlin Furniture; dining chairs and pendant: HK Living
The Loughlins custom-designed the blackbutt timber kitchen island to appear like a piece of furniture, with open shelving at one end and a table at the other. “We wanted to introduce a second informal dining area and thought a buffet island bench would be perfect for that,” says Jess. “We now eat there about 90 percent of the time, instead of the dining table.”
Fabric Architecture selected the rest of the materials palette for the kitchen to complement the blackbutt, using white cabinetry, benchtops and a decorative tiled splashback.
Fabric Architecture selected the rest of the materials palette for the kitchen to complement the blackbutt, using white cabinetry, benchtops and a decorative tiled splashback.
Splashback tiles: Beaumont Tiles; blackbutt-timber kitchen island, overhead cupboards and custom pantry handles: Loughlin Furniture
Frabic Architecture redesigned the master bedroom to feel as spacious as possible in the relatively small space. It includes an ensuite behind the blade wall, and wardrobe joinery that extends along one wall and into the open-plan ensuite. “These were two tricks to blend all spaces together and help create the illusion of space,” says Fitzpatrick.
Shiplap on the walls is painted in a soft blue to accentuate the timber and coastal vibe.
Grey and white tiles provide a neutral backdrop for the American-oak vanity with its pink basin providing a subtle pop of colour.
Baxter Vanity: Loughlin Furniture
Baxter Vanity: Loughlin Furniture
Design and craftsmanhip clearly runs in the Loughlin family – Rob’s brother Greg makes the Banksia concrete basin under his company, Slabshapers. The brothers pair up to produce custom vanities, showcasing the skills of each.
Banksia Concrete Basin: Slabshapers
Banksia Concrete Basin: Slabshapers
Fabric designed a barn that sits behind the house. “It’s a retreat and chill-out space for the family and blends with the existing architecture of the cottage,” says Fitzpatrick.
Loughlin designed and crafted the Tasmanian-oak barn doors and awning, as well as the interior.
The mezzanine provides additional space for the kids to play, with lounge seating and a television below. “It’s an outhouse/garage/play area so we decided to be bold with choices, such as the mezzanine, staircase and skylight,” says Jess.
Collaroy Bench Seat: Loughlin Furniture; Easy-VJ panelling: Easycraft; Savannah Arched Mirror: Salt x Steel; skyilghts: Velux
Collaroy Bench Seat: Loughlin Furniture; Easy-VJ panelling: Easycraft; Savannah Arched Mirror: Salt x Steel; skyilghts: Velux
“We use it as a gym, the kids have movie nights with our neighbours and we have friends over for entertaining,” says Jess of the backyard barn. “We open the big barn doors and our friends sprawl across the deck of the house, the garden and into the barn as it’s all in close proximity.”
Wall art: House of Poppy; Harrington Lounge in seagrass, Harrington Armchair in sesame, Avalon Square Coffee Table and Barrenjoey Kids Stool: Loughlin Furniture
Wall art: House of Poppy; Harrington Lounge in seagrass, Harrington Armchair in sesame, Avalon Square Coffee Table and Barrenjoey Kids Stool: Loughlin Furniture
“It’s not often the end result is better than what we anticipate, but this was one of those projects,” says Fitzpatrick. “Together we have created a home that is nuanced and playful and a testament to Rob and Jess’ passion, craftsmanship and style.”
Your turn
What are your favourite features in this home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great design? You won’t want to miss this Japan Houzz Tour: A Criss-Cross Design Brings a Family Together
Your turn
What are your favourite features in this home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great design? You won’t want to miss this Japan Houzz Tour: A Criss-Cross Design Brings a Family Together
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Love the simplicity and especially the custom made furniture and doors! Beautiful work.
I think the house is wonderful, would not change a thing. It is so unpretentious
and has a warm and inviting charm. Well done 10 out of 10.
This is fabulous! What are the dimensions?