This Dreamy Coastal Home Inspired By The Curves Of A Boat Hull | Homes To Love (2024)

The interiors echo the facade’s curvature with a series of swoops, spheres, circles and plump corners. Starting from the point of entry, there’s a chubby tube encircling the double-height mezzanine with loop-shaped lights.

“Even though it’s a large house and the exterior is dominant, the owners are very modest and they were more concerned about the layout,” says interior designer Sarah Nolen of Birdblack Design.

Given that it’s a multigenerational home, spatial flow took priority. The entry marks the centre of the house with a study and lift to the north-west followed by a short hallway leading to a powder room, laundry and mudroom with a separate wash station and custom beds for the owners’ beloved dogs and guinea pigs.

“We used organic wave forms to enhance the flow of energy and reflect the undulating coastline.”

JASON HARB, BUILDING DESIGNER

On the other side of the foyer is a generous family room that has direct access to an alfresco area. A double-sided fireplace hides structural columns that partition the open-plan dining and kitchen. “It’s a big open space but we didn’t want anything too monolithic,” explains Sarah.

“We took inspiration from the hull of a boat and created a three-dimensional curved design that appears to be floating, adding a touch of lightness to this part of the home.”

A wet kitchen tucked behind is well equipped with pantry storage and additional freezers. “The majority of their time is spent here so we made it both functional and beautiful,” says Sarah.

The first floor, reserved for parents and guests, has four bedrooms, with access to a terrace. Unlike the rest of the home’s muted palette, each bedroom is adorned with unique wallpaper featuring different watercolour lilies.

To overcome the developer’s two-storey height restriction, Jason cleverly created the home’s ski-slope-style silhouette, burrowing the attic level under the roof line and joining it to the balcony to create fluidity and heighten the dynamic curves.

“It was imperative that the design was personalised to the cultural preferences and lifestyle of the occupants. The arrangement of the rooms needed to factor in the design principles of feng shui and all the exposed corners needed to be curved. This inspired the organic and sculptural form of the facade,” says Jason.

“The practicality of the zoning works so well for us. The ‘wet kitchen’ is a pleasure to be in. We spend a lot of time in there cooking up stir-fries and it’s sizeable enough so that all the mess and smells are contained, freeing up the front kitchen. We also love the attic as it’s a true retreat. It’s a very calming space to get ready in the morning, and the views from there are amazing,” says one of the owners.

THIS IS THE LIFE

The top floor is dedicated to the primary suite with a powder room and living area fitted out with a TV, musical instruments and a craft table. The the owner can now have her own space separate to the ensuite and bedroom, which is accessible through a walk-in robe. Sarah integrated the wardrobe into curved, non-structural columns — a design feature that complements the profile of the ceiling.

The walls, finished in a custom microcement, have been embedded with gold and silver flakes.

When it came to the finishes, the owners didn’t want anything overly stately so the palette is comprised of just three materials. “We used French Vanilla marble flooring, timber veneer for all the cabinetry and added a bit of wow with the copper liquid metal, which we used on the kitchen island and dressing table. The effect is one of connection and refinement,” says Sarah.

Birdblack Design: birdblackdesign.com.au

JIH Building Design: jihbuildingdesign.com

Aspire Constructions: aspireconstructions.com.au

The Design Team: