Home inspiration: Contemporary coastal style

Altereco Design took charge of the plans of this striking newly built two-storey home, with Greig Design & Construction heavily involved in the design and overseeing the build. Contemporary architectural lines blend with soft but lively interiors and colourful abstract art. Outside, a textured driveway of shell grit with red gum sleepers leads visitors to the striking exterior, where dramatic, ink-hued cladding in Resene Black creates a foil against a soaring, double-height timber panel.

A timeless sense of style pervades the interior. A Victorian ash-clad feature wall provides the backdrop in the dining room, which is illuminated by a Muuto ‘Under the Bell’ felt pendant and features ‘Transit’ stacking dining chairs by M.A.D. The striking artwork is perfectly at home in the monochromatic colour scheme.

Polished concrete floors, more timber and an expanse of white set the scene in the luminous kitchen, which stars handle-free Laminex cabinetry and an oversized breakfast bar, topped in Caesarstone ‘Organic White’ and faced in Silvertop Victorian ash from Barwon Timber. Floating above a corner of the island is a cluster of Nordic Tales ‘Bright Spout’ glass and timber pendants. For similar bar stools, try the ‘Leather Strapping’ range from Fenton & Fenton. Accessed through a door by the workbench, a butler’s pantry is the ultimate in hidden storage.

Highlights of teal and turquoise, via a Will & Toots striped plant pot (with a Pippi’s Plants cactus) and spotty Marimekko cushions, add calm to the living zone. The pale-grey sofa from Livingetc forms a stylish partnership with a simple Globe West ‘Cancun Mesh’ chair, a gold Goose ottoman and an Armadillo & Co ‘Twine Weave’ wool rug. 

A small timber-and-metal table from Frith in Barwon Heads is a winner in the narrow hallway. A lamp found at a hardware store, a copper plant pot and artist Helen Hinckfuss’s untitled painting enhance the vision.

A timber bed (for similar, try the Ethnicraft range of oak and teak beds from Clickon Furniture) blends well with a ‘Norway’ teak floor lamp from Beacon Lighting, while the bed is dressed in apricot and blue linen by Kip & Co and Country Road. Above the bed, an untitled indigenous-style artwork by local artist Lyn Hunt takes pride of place.

With echoes of a day spa, the enticing ensuite features a long blackbutt veneer cabinet topped with Caesarstone ‘Organic White’ and oversized Sorrento ‘WB 4737’ above-counter basins from ECT Global.

A teepee adds a playful note to the nursery, as does the cheery Arrow Pop geometric print, by Iamsali Graphic Arts + Design.

The fire pit, from KYO, forms a drawcard in the cooler months in the backyard.

If you love modern style, you’ll love this great family home.