When former Australian Test cricketer James Pattinson retired from professional cricket, he didn’t swap one career for another overnight. Instead, he started again. After completing a building apprenticeship, James Pattinson threw himself into residential construction, working alongside wife Kayla, who studied architectural design and oversees the couple’s interiors and design decisions. Together, they have renovated, built and sold multiple homes, each project refining their vision of what makes a truly liveable family home.
A family home built with purpose
Their latest project, a striking three-level residence in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Black Rock, may be their most ambitious yet.
Created for the couple and their three daughters, the home balances resort-style luxury with practical family living, proving that high-end design doesn’t have to come at the expense of everyday functionality.
Inside story… James Pattinson’s family home
Who lives here? James Pattinson, former Australian Test cricketer turned builder with wife Kayla Pattinson, architectural designer and interiors enthusiast. The couple share the home with their three daughters.
Where is the house? Black Rock, Victoria
What is the style of home? Contemporary family luxury with resort-inspired amenities
We love…
…the light filled internal garden.
At the centre of James Pattinson’s family home is an internal lightwell featuring a vertical garden — a design feature that does more than simply look beautiful.
Internal courtyards and lightwells have become increasingly popular in contemporary Australian homes because they draw natural light deep into floorplans while creating a stronger connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
In a multi-level home, the effect is particularly dramatic, helping soften the architectural scale while bringing greenery into the heart of the residence.
A kitchen designed for real life
Luxury kitchens often look impressive in photographs but fail the test of everyday family living. This kitchen appears to have been designed with both aesthetics and durability in mind.
Terrazzo-style concrete flooring provides a practical surface capable of handling heavy foot traffic, while Taj Mahal quartzite introduces warmth and movement through the natural stone. Fisher & Paykel appliances complete the highly functional workspace. The result is a kitchen that feels elevated without becoming precious.
Design takeaway
Natural stone with visible movement and texture is increasingly replacing ultra-minimal engineered surfaces as homeowners seek spaces that feel warmer and more organic.
Why this family home feels like a luxury retreat
One of the biggest shifts in Australian residential design has been the rise of the “home resort” — properties that deliver the amenities once reserved for five-star hotels. This Black Rock home embraces that philosophy wholeheartedly.
Outside, a pool, spa and outdoor shower create a holiday atmosphere. Downstairs, a cinema lounge, gym, steam room and bar transform the basement into a self-contained leisure zone.
What’s particularly clever is how these spaces cater to multiple generations. Parents can entertain, teenagers can retreat and younger children have dedicated play spaces without compromising the home’s overall sophistication.
The basement that evolved with family life
Perhaps the most revealing detail about the home isn’t one of its luxury inclusions. It’s the children’s play gym.
According to Pattinson, the basement became so popular with his daughters that they effectively took over the space, filling it with a jungle gym and movable ball pit before the recently installed bar arrived. It’s a reminder that even the most beautifully designed homes ultimately succeed when they adapt to the people living inside them.
From cricket pitch to construction site
For Pattinson, building has become more than a post-cricket career.
In previous interviews, he has spoken about enjoying the hands-on nature of construction and finding satisfaction in being involved in every stage of a project. He has also described building sites as having a camaraderie similar to professional sport.
That passion is evident throughout this Black Rock residence, which showcases the attention to detail that only comes when owners are deeply involved in both the design and construction process.
“We always thought that you build a house for you to love and then hopefully someone else loves it just as much as you.”
JAMES PATTINSON
Why Black Rock continues to attract luxury buyers
Located on Melbourne’s coveted bayside, Black Rock offers a lifestyle that combines beachside living with proximity to the CBD. Large family homes, excellent schools and a strong community atmosphere continue to make the suburb popular with professional families seeking space without sacrificing convenience.
It’s easy to understand why the Pattinson’s aren’t planning to move far from the area.
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