There’s nothing more quintessentially Australian than a beach house. Whether you’re lucky enough to score a stay at a friends’ holiday house, or share bunk beds with cousins at the family shack, most of us have a few nostalgic memories of summer holidays, sandy toes and icy poles at a beach house somewhere!
Today, with summer holiday well underway, we’re revisiting some of our favourite beachside homes of 2019!
A hat box, a cake tin, or a stack of golden rings. The beach house is a designer object in the landscape. Photo – Derek Swalwell.
Nestled between the sand dunes and the foreshore. Photo – Derek Swalwell.
The house is made from robust materials, that will weather beautifully over time. Photo – Derek Swalwell.
This Circular Beach House Will Put You In A Spin
Inspired by the modest New Zealand ‘bach’ (aka equivalent of the Aussie ‘shack’) this St Andrews Beach House puts a circular spin on the coastal getaway! Austin Maynard Architects emphasises the use of different architectural styles for beach settings, with the aim of avoiding replicating a suburban home. We think they’ve definitely nailed that brief, with this circular surprise!
The walls, floor, and ceiling of the new living space was crafted entirely out of Tasmanian oak, and furniture items like a writing desk and coffee table were made out of leftover materials. Photo – Trevor Mein.
Captain Kelly’s Cottage by John Wardle Architects was originally built for maritime explorer Captain James Kelly and his daughter in the 1840s. Photo – Trevor Mein.
The Ultimate Heritage Restoration Project, On Remote Bruny Island
John Wardle needs little introduction… but Bruny Island might! This island requires a 20 minute ferry from Kettering, a town 30 minutes out of Hobart, but is WELL WORTH the trip. A personal project for the legendary architect, John Wardle has transformed the 1840s Captain Kelly’s Cottage with incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail. Every angle and view from this historic transformation is breathtaking!
This holiday house is located in Sandy Point on the coastal dunes of eastern Victoria. Photo – Derek Swalwell.
This project was a finalist in the Dulux Colour Awards 2019, Residential Interior category. Wall colour is ‘Aloe Vera‘ by Dulux. Photo – Derek Swalwell.
The use of warm timber panelling, slate tiles, and sage green walls throughout the interiors adds texture and depth to the space. Wall colour is ‘Spores‘ by Dulux. Photo – Derek Swalwell.
A Rugged Coastal Home By Kennedy Nolan
A rugged holiday home nestled into the coastal dunes of eastern Victoria. The Sandy Point home by Kennedy Nolan is all about the wooden panelling, the cosy indoor nooks, and connection with the stunning surrounding landscape.
Revisit the original story here.
The view into Holly McCauley and Nich Zalmstra’s house from the deck. The paper daisy flower garlands strung up here were saved from their wedding in March. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The Horses photograph above the couch is by Kara Rosenlund, who’s book Shelter Holly designed in 2015. The Joshua Tree print was bought in the US after Nich proposed to Holly in Joshua Tree. The coffee table is made from the piece of wood that used to be the kitchen benchtop before renovations. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.
An Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Bangalow Home – Transformed On A Budget!
This 80s fibro shack in Bangalow in the NSW Northern Rivers is one of the cutest – and most affordable –renovations we’ve featured. Over the past 3.5 years, cabinet maker Nich Zalmstra has transformed this humble home from something he and graphic designer partner Holly McCauley ‘hated the look of’ into a dreamy family home.
Kip & Co co-founder Kate Heppel, partner Mal of DMS Landscapes and their cute kids Zig, Viv, and Fern (and Snoop the dog!) share this gorgeous Sorrento home. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
How about those concrete bench tops (cast by Mal!). Concrete wall tiles from Bespoke Tile and Stone. Fruit basket from a trip to Darwin. Vase from The Mill Castlemaine. Window seat trinkets from Kate’s travels over the years. Teapot, enamelware and tea towels from Kip&Co. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
A Colourful Family Beach Shack, Wrapped In Shingles!
This little shack went gangbusters on Instagram when we first featured it in May – and it is pretty clear why. The shingled shack is absolutely charming, and combines a story-book exterior, with a low key and colourful interior. Owned by Kate Heppell of Kip&Co and her partner Mal, this shack is full of joy, loose Nordic vibes, and of course, Kate’s stunning bedding and homewares.
Refined beachy vibes in Torquay. Photo – Annette O’Brien.
A cosy lounge room corner. Photo – Annette O’Brien.
Plenty of room for both entertaining and relaxing. Photo – Annette O’Brien.
An Artist’s Freshly Renovated, Light-Filled Beach Haven In Torquay
This Jan Juc house has an outrageously cute back story. The owner purchased this home, but had actually grown up in it! Scroll through the wisteria laced, light-filled santuary, as see why Pru was inspired to return back to the home her parent’s built in the 80s – and give it a completely jaw-dropping renovation!
The timber clad house has the highest possible environmental credentials! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.
The rugged Cape Paterson setting. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.
Has sustainability ever looked so good? Kitchen, with artwork by Bobby Clark, ceramics by Simone Karras, with Sukin Kimmy Hogan Hand Wash and Hand Cream. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.
A Coastal Home That Treads Lightly On The Earth
This timber-clad residence in Cape Paterson may, at first glance, appear as a straightforward architecturally designed home – but in addition to being exceptionally designed, it is also the first home in Victoria to achieve a 10 Star energy rating. As part of an eco village called ‘The Cape’ the beach house combines a deeply considered environmental strategy with the brilliant design of Clare Cousins Architects and The Sociable Weaver.
