A hidden gem of colour and texture sits alongside winding beach trails, comfortably fusing modern luxuries with organic surfaces. Once a beach house, bland and uninspiring, is now an updated full-time residence layered with Japanese charred timber – known as Yaki Sugi – precast artisan concrete and bold colourful accents.
The Stylesmiths™ were enlisted to create a bespoke home that reflects the personal style of the couple that live there, moulded to their easy way of living. Collaborating closely with the clients, a truly unique design was developed to address the overwhelmingly open plan home that flowed from entry into living, dining and kitchen areas. The lack of structure meant there were no delineated spaces to lounge, dine or sit quietly, causing an unsettling feeling in dire need of a remedy.
Stepping down from entry into the generously sized living space, it is now easy to appreciate the benefits that having an integrated island entertainment unit brings. Breaking up the long room in a way that forges distinct zones between entertaining and relaxing, the architectural piece is the project’s hero. Not only does it create a backdrop for dinner parties, but it also ties in the elements of the home, custom-built to house technology and a wood fire side by side, intersecting modernist sensibilities with robust materials – concreate, timber, blackened steel, and handmade tiles. It’s deceptively simple.
This moody theme continues in the kitchen interior design via dramatic updates that replace the washed timber, grey splashbacks, and cream pendants typical of beach house style. There is a consistent language that flows inside, out with this Art Pop house. Cabinetry and all new European appliances, essential for any enthusiastic cook, have been installed in matte black that creates uniform with the entertainment island and Yaki Sugi on the façade. Bronze mirror splashbacks match the timber pendant that lights the island bench, both adding an organic warmth that’s subtle and inviting.
The Stylesmiths™ interior designers are always guided by their clients because no one understands the quirks of their home better. Thus, it was an easy solution to swap out impractical island seating for more useful custom storage. Complete with a hidden tech station in the middle draw to maximise utilitarian space, a set of three-by-three draws have been installed using the same veneer as the cabinets. Open wine squares were also covered over to camouflage an adult only bar unit that was a must for function, but not for style. This way it doesn’t distract from the bench top veins that resemble marble with glimpses of brown and flickers of gold that complement the indoor flame that sits opposite.
