50's Beach House
50’s Beach House
The best thing about being an Interior designer is without a doubt designing your own home. From the moment we saw her we knew she was the one warts and all. I was lured in by her quirky charm. It became so important to us to retain her humble heritage and give a quite nod back to the 50’s. We bought this house from a lovely old character named Bill who invited us for tea before he decided we were to be the next rightful owners. I fell in love with this house for its views and potential to evolve with our family. It also prompts childhood memories of holidays at Hastings Point in a little 50’s beach shack with my grandparents. Dave especially loves the yard, natural light and the serenity. In this design we celebrate it’s humble history and pay tribute to Bills mother Marthe who as a single mother in the 50’s with only shear grit and determination built this house in the most challenging times post war times. So let’s see if we can restore this little 50’s beauty who our children refer to as “Housy”.
The new entry almost feels like walking back from a beach-walk. Featuring weatherboards in Resene ‘Duck Egg Quarter’. Some comfy outdoor armchairs to sit back and watch the kids and magpies tinker about on the lawn.
Transitioning to a semi-open plan lounge that’s carefully curated to achieve a cohesive connection between spaces. The retro pastel palette sits gently against the warm timber floor and the small pops of rust ties in with the feature artwork 'Waves of Earth and Sky’ by the talented Jen Sievers.
Concept board for the lounge featuring cool pastels paired with the warmth of the timber floor. Referencing the palette back to artwork 'Waves of Earth and Sky’ by the talented Jen Sievers.
The Jardan Preston credenza provides a feeling of arrival at the top of the new stairs and connects the semi-open plan areas together. The dining room becomes the focal point leading out to the view and shielding the kitchen creates a calming welcome experience.
Concept board for the second entry above the stairs provides a front of house set down area that links all the open plan spaces together seamlessly.
A custom designed entertainment cabinet retains the calming atmosphere by concealing the TV. Louvers positioned in the stairwell encourage cross ventilation and let in the best of the northern light.
Its all about opening up the space to the natural light and encouraging cross ventilation. Louvers offer a secure way of letting breeze while the doors are closed.
Outside looking in through the batten style balustrade which is simple and non climbable so everyone can relax when little ones are venturing around.
This is my favorite view of the kitchen through to the new stairs. Can you imagine the cross ventilation we are going to achieve?
The new entry creates a sweet 50’s style welcome. The original solid door maintains privacy and protects the inside from the penetrating western sun.
It’s all about relaxing and recharging on a Sunday afternoon gently shaded by the lush tropical garden and just out of view from our lovely neighbours.
The house still retains the old 50s retro character even though it has grown 3 times the size. Raised up to capture views of the valley to the south east and extended to create the new kitchen & dining area.
A soft and simple kitchen & dining area is a nod back to the 50’s era of the home combining gentle curves for an uninterrupted flow. Picking up on the pastel pallet of the feature artwork ‘Life Like a Song’ by the amazing Jen Sievers. The captivating view through the bi-fold doors draws the eye down to the south east valley.
Concept Board for the Kitchen and Dining using the muted base pallet from the feature artwork ‘Life Like a Song’ by the amazing Jen Sievers.
An Island bench looking out the view is so atmospheric. To keep a clean uncluttered island bench can be tricky. My solution is to integrate 2 dishwashers. One of them just for items washed in the sink and put in the dishwasher to dry. This replaces the need for a sink drainer.
A cosy corner couch sits gently on the plain hand-knotted wool rug and ties in beautifully with the feature artwork 'Waves of Earth and Sky’ by the talented Jen Sievers.