This French Holiday House is a Masterclass in Coastal Style

When Australian Deborah discovered the French seaside town of Cap Ferret she knew she had found the perfect place for a holiday home for herself, her French husband and their two sons, Lachlan, 21, and Alexandre, 19. “The long ocean beaches, the surfing and the relaxed atmosphere reminded me of Australia,” she says.

A pool and deck area with tropical plants by a white fenced balcony. — The exterior matches the house with its palette of white and turquoise, which evokes the seaside. “My husband and I love blue in all its shades,” says Deborah. The family often sit beside the pool on the AM.PM sun loungers with Loro Piana cushions and towels and in summer the area is sunny until about 9pm when they have a beautiful view of the sunset. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

The family discovered the small resort town, located on a headland in France’s south-west, while staying with friends in nearby Arcachon. “It was love at first sight,” says Deborah. “The peninsula seemed to us to be the perfect place for our two cultures.”

An alfresco area covered by a pitched roof with decorative wood details. — This property, located south-west of Bordeaux in France, initially had a home on it that didn’t suit the homeowners. So the first thing Deborah and her husband did was knock it down so they could create their own dream holiday home for themselves and their two sons. Now, it is filled with light and views of nature come through all the windows. The facade seen here has intricate fretwork drawing the eyes up to the pitched roof and the house has a sense of openness. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

Who stays here?

Deborah, her husband and their two sons, Lachlan, 21, and Alexandre, 19.
What do you love about your holiday home? Deborah: “I love the fact that it’s so open to the outside and surrounded by trees. The spaciousness of the living area is very pleasant to live in.”
What was your biggest splurge? “The India Mahdavi table. It’s a bit ridiculous for a holiday home but I fell in love with it and after I saw it all the other tables I saw I didn’t like.”
What’s your favourite room? “My bedroom. It’s like a refuge, a perched hut – even when the house is full, it’s quiet and secluded. I love its soothing whiteness. I also love the beautiful, functional bathroom behind the headboard.”

A coastal-style kitchen with blue panelling and owner Deborah and son Lachlan. — Sky blue is the undeniable star of this home, and it shines the most in the kitchen, where the panelling is painted to the white roofline in the shade (for a similar blue hue, try Dulux Tapioca). Deborah (pictured with son Lachlan) and her family love spending time in the space, which also features bold, symmetrical floor tiles from Bisazza that Deborah says “add a pop and joyful note to the whole look”. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

The family bought a block of land planted with many examples of the area’s signature pine trees and demolished the existing house to build their dream vacation home. They enlisted interior designer Nicole Joinau and architect Sandrine Mercurio, who worked on the project with builder Maisons BMC and landscape architect Arnaud Gallou. Sandrine says they all collaborated well from the start. “Architecture, decoration and landscaping form a whole to create a successful and coherent project,” she says.

A study nook with a timber desk and wicker chair. — The railing in the study was designed by architect Sandrine Mercurio and digitally cut by Menuiserie Castillon. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

Kitchen

Throughout the home, the colour palette of blues and crisp white echoes its seaside surroundings and the panelled walls are reminiscent of Australian surf shacks. Nicole has added furniture in natural materials of warm timber and rattan, accessorised with vintage lighting.

Pride of place in the home is a Murano glass chandelier from the 1970s above the dining table and vintage globes adorn the kitchen ceiling. It’s the perfect marriage of Australian and French seaside style.

A coastal style kitchen with blue panelling, wicker stools and glass globe pendants. — For similar kitchen stools, try ‘St Barts’ rattan stools from Temple & Webster. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

Dining and living area

Thanks to its multiple glass doorways and windows, the living and dining area feels like it is part of nature. “I love that the room is surrounded on all sides by large windows,” shares Deborah. “In summer and winter, we can enjoy the outdoors. It blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.”

A dining area leading to an outdoor alfresco area with wicker furniture and a raised white ceiling. — In the dining area, an India Mahdavi ‘Henri’ table topped in glass is on an organic Élitis ‘Rocky’ rug and encircled by Sika-Design chairs. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

In the dining area, a 1970s Murano glass chandelier hangs above the table. “I had to find a very voluminous hanging lamp to complement the high volumes of the room,” says Deborah. “I also wanted to bring something unexpected into a wooden holiday home, a refined touch that would contrast with the timber architecture.” For similar chandeliers, visit Pamono.
We love… vintage finds

A white coastal living and dining room with a vintage dining table and a Murano chandelier. — The 1970s Murano glass chandelier above the India Mahdavi ‘Henri’ table. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

The open-plan space enhances this seamless effect while there is still a clear division between the zones created by the custom-made sofas with each section grounded by a rug.

A coastal white living and dining room with a round suspended fireplace. — The chest of drawers by the wall is vintage and the pendants in the living area and wall lamp are by Secto Design. Tom Dixon floor lamp. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

Unable to install a fireplace in front of the glass walls, the couple opted for a central model from Focus.

Lachlan reading on a blue window seat overlooking a garden. — In a corner of the living room, the couple’s son Lachlan sits on a custom-made bench with views of lush greenery out the window. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

Bedrooms and ensuite

From the living area, a blue-panelled corridor leads to three bedrooms opening onto the garden. At the end of the corridor, a few steps lead up to the main bedroom. The owner wanted to have a parents’ retreat upstairs but the architects were unable to build a second storey due to local regulations.

A blue hallway with patterned floor tiles and hanging globe pendants. — Campana Brazilian Agata Blu tiles by Bisazza are underfoot in the corridor, which leads to the bedrooms. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

Sandrine’s solution was to place it on the highest part of the plot. As a result, the bedroom is higher than the rest of the house. “With its balcony overlooking the garden, you have the impression of being upstairs,” she says.

A white bedroom with a bed, wicker chair and balcony deck overlooking a garden. — Wall lights and ceramics by Jean Roger. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

The main bedroom has a serene atmosphere. “I like to go there at the end of the day to read,” says Deborah, “but what I love most is watching the sunrise from my bed.” A custom headboard has slimline reading lights (for similar, try Smith & Smith ‘Oaklee’ lamps), which tie in perfectly with the Tom Dixon stone pendant lights.

A coastal white bedroom with a wicker chair, wall panels and curtains. — An India Mahdavi chair sits neatly in the corner of the couple’s bedroom. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

Located behind the headboard, the couple’s bathroom and dressing room combines materials with elegance. Honey-coloured custom cabinetry, designed by Nicole and made by BHI, warms up the space while the vanity is topped with marble from Duclos.

A white coastal bathroom with a marble vanity and timber wicker cabinets. — Tom Dixon pendants match those in the bedroom and the mirror from Zara Home reflects the shape of the Duravit ‘Cape Cod’ basin. The speckled terrazzo flooring is from Carrément Victoire. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

A coastal blue and white bedroom with panelled walls. — This bedroom carries on the blue theme with artwork by Bertrand Cure. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

Pool and outdoor terrace

The new L-shaped home is centred around a swimming pool, with accordion doors opening from the living area onto a spectacular outdoor terrace. Large windows open the home to air and light from all sides. “As there are trees all around, protecting us from the sun and from view, we were able to place as many openings as possible,” shares Deborah. The awning and eaves, as well as the sun protection on the windows, prevent direct radiation from the summer sun but allow light in to warm the house in winter.

A swimming pool and outdoor alfresco area covered by a pitched roof. — Creating a cohesive look, the pool is surrounded by timber decking, which matches the table. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

The pool zone is a favourite spot for the family to entertain. “We love having our aperitifs at the end of the day on the benches by the pool,” shares Deborah. “It’s very comfortable and there’s plenty of room for lots of people.”

An outdoor alfresco area with wicker furniture overlooking a pool. — Natural Gervasoni pendant lights are suspended above the table, which is surrounded by Ikea chairs. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

“For me, wood is synonymous with holiday homes and it’s also the local style.”
Deborah

A tablescape with blue and green crockery. — Vista Alegre glasses and Digoin jug and dishes are on the outdoor table. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

White sun loungers on a deck. — The pool is a great place to relax. *(Photography: Julien Fernandez)*

Interior designer: Nicole Joinau
Architect: Sandrine Mercurio, sandrinemercurio.com.
Builder: Maisons BMC, maisons-bmc.fr.
Landscape designer: Arnaud Gallou, Atelier de l’Atlantique, atelieratlantique.fr.
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