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Inside a coastal retreat featuring a relaxing alfresco pavilion

This holiday haven is shipshape for family time and unwinding.
An outdoor pool area with white loungers leading to an alfresco area.Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin

Imagine long, lazy afternoons in this holiday home. Going for dips in the pool or the heated spa when it’s cool, cooking on the barbecue and having a hit of tennis. That was the dream for the owner and her family who enjoy languorous breaks here, by the sea. “Every time we arrive at our home ‘Alani’ we feel an immediate change in our stress levels,” she shares of the Victorian site. “We wanted the home to bring with it a sense of peace and calm, and we feel that.”

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The cladded facade of a blue and white holiday home.
Approaching this holiday home, you’re immediately immersed in the lush landscape. “It integrates perfectly with the coastal location, with the entrance winding through a forest of moonah trees,” says interior designer Kate Walker. It’s everything you’d hope for in a getaway and far from what was once in its place. “There was previously a two-bedroom log cabin on the block,” reveals the homeowner, who recognised the untapped potential. “Property owners have private beach access at the end of the street.” The new build looks fresh, with a Colorbond roof in Basalt and cladding in Dulux Natural White. Ornamental grape vines frame the Dulux Blue Metal front door with a crepe myrtle adding a dash of pink. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Life is busy for the family of five, with the mother of the house working in natural health, her husband in a corporate job and three teenagers whose calendars are full with school and socialising. The goal for this build was for a place they could escape to and spend quality time together. “We wanted to provide a family space to enjoy but also wanted a floor plan suited to the long-term,” she explains. “Our teenagers have lots of friends over, so we wanted them to have their own space to hang out.”

A bright white mudroom with a vintage-style rug runner.
This practical mudroom is treated to Cromwell art and a Cadrys rug. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Plans for a five-bedroom boathouse-style home took shape, with two living rooms and a spacious central kitchen. The U-shaped floor plan was by BD Building Design and Magnus Construction took on the build. Then, Kate Walker of KWD steered the interior design ship, using natural tones and tranquil blues to evoke the Australian coast.

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A classic white formal living room with brown statement armchairs.
In the formal living space Rachel Donath ‘Safari’ occasional chairs and a double ‘Bryant’ sconce from The Montauk Lighting Co make a statement. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

“Our aim was to achieve a sense of resort-style living, where you can drive through the gates into your own private space with everything for a family getaway,” says Kate. From the Lucy Montgomery cushions to The Montauk Lighting Co lights, the homeowners adore every detail. “We don’t regret the spend at all,” they say.

Kitchen and dining area

“We married American proportions with English sensibilities,” says Kate of the grand home. The tone is set by the ‘Riley’ large ring chandelier from The Montauk Lighting Co, which hangs above an existing timber dining table and chairs, a mustard-coloured Cadrys rug and engineered oak floors.

A spacious kitchen and dining room with raised ceilings and timber furniture.
The textural ‘Zelligie Bianco’ matte tiled splashback from KWD&Co and Lygon Street Pottery pieces on the table and kitchen island lend an organic edge. A pair of Kelly Wearstler ‘Phoebe’ stacked table lamps stand on the sideboard. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)
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“When you’re delivered a floor plan that is so large, the risk is that you create a home where the family separates,” says interior designer Kate. “Sightlines from the two living spaces through the central kitchen create a sense of connection while allowing family members to do their own thing.” The interior balances a need for both solitude and togetherness.

We love… connected spaces

Kitchen

The central anchoring point of this kitchen is the traditionally designed chimney rangehood, which houses a freestanding Ilve Majestic cooker from Winning Appliances. Cabinetry in the cooking area is Farmers Doors ‘Shaker Weathered Oak’ with brass handles from Domino, while the scullery and cellar bar is differentiated in Dulux Blue Metal.

A stylish blue and white kitchen with a vintage-style rug runner.
‘Ziera’ marble benchtops from KWD&Co are paired with a white double fireclay sink and Perrin & Rowe tapware, both from The English Tapware Company. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

“The kitchen has that lakehouse feel and we couldn’t wait to see it come together.”

Homeowner
Two rounded white bar stool beside blue French kitchen doors.
A large drip glaze vase by Owen Rye from Craft Victoria and a chequered bowl basket from Pan After relax the space, as does the Cadrys runner. Counter stools from Classic With a Twist add texture. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Sitting room

The elegant sitting room features upholstered window banquettes and ‘Huxley’ armchairs from Coco Republic. The fireplace surround is ‘Ziera’ marble from KWD&Co, with a Cromwell print above.

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A vibrant sitting room with a marble fireplace, large abstract artwork and patterned rug.
A ‘Tiramisu’ coffee table from Just Adele highlights the colours in the Cadrys rug and holds a Simone Karras vase from Pepite and a ‘Wilber’ bowl from Boyd Blue. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)
A marble-look table above a patterned rug.
The ‘Tiramisu’ coffee table from Just Adele. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Main bedroom

With a comfy custom window seat, this is a dreamy parents’ retreat. Bedding and throws by Hale Mercantile Co create lovely layers, with floral cushions designed by KWD&Co. At the end of the bed is a ‘Bellingham’ acacia double bench in Country Grey from Cromwell on a Cadrys rug. The ‘Carlisle’ armchair from Pottery Barn is nestled in a corner next to a shell-shaped vase by Terunobu Hirata from Craft Victoria.

A classically styled main bedroom with blue accents and a window seat.
Beside the bed is a Boracay Chest from Provincial Home Living topped with a table lamp from Cromwell and vase by Gordon Hickmott from Lygon Street Pottery. A Cromwell print adds a touch of feathered fun alongside elegant floor-to-ceiling curtains from Lynch’s Window Fashions. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)
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“We love the custom fabric bedhead by Lucy Montgomery.”

Homeowner
A navy walk-in robe leading to an ensuite.
The ‘Montauk’ carpet from KWD&Co. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Cloaked in Dulux Blue Metal and underpinned with ‘Montauk’ carpet from KWD&Co, the striking walk-in robe frames the way to the ensuite, where a Hugi freestanding tub pairs with a ‘Manhattan’ bath/hand shower set from Brodware.

An ensuite with a freestanding bath and a navy double vanity.
‘Mercer’ sconces from The Montauk Lighting Co glow over the vanity. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Bedroom and ensuite

‘Zelligie’ aqua tiles from KWD&Co brighten this secondary ensuite, while Hale Mercantile Co bedding cosies up the room.

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A secondary bedroom and ensuite elegantly styled in blue and grey.
The cosy Hale Mercantile Co bedding. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Guest bathroom

It’s all tonal in the bathroom, with ‘Zelligie Bianco’ matte tiles, ‘Miami’ marble floor tiles and a ‘Ziera’ marble benchtop, all from KWD&Co.

A classic all-white guest bathroom with gold tapware accents.
Brodware tapware ties in with a ‘Katie’ sconce from The Montauk Lighting Co. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Study and bar

In a twist, the moody home office features a bar in Azul Bahia Granite. Dulux Blue Metal joinery teams with Coco Republic armchairs and a Maharam Edition Artek Stool 60 from Anibou, upholstered in ‘Big Stripe’ fabric by Paul Smith.

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A navy study with two leather armchairs and a red swirl artwork.
The Montauk Lighting Co floor lamp stands beside a Louise Roe bowl from Design Stuff. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)
A moody blue bar cabinet.
The home office bar in Azul Bahia Granite. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Tennis court

There’s a light-filled gym and infrared sauna, but the star attraction for all visitors is the new tennis court. “Our two Shih Tzus love running around the garden and seeking out wayward tennis balls and returning them to the house,” says the homeowner. “Everybody will have a hit, especially the kids. They like to play with their friends and there is always someone perched up on the umpire’s chair.”

A tennis court leading to a green alfresco area.
Stretching along one side of an alfresco pavilion is the tennis court, which acts as a magnet for friends and family to gather and flows to the pool area. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)
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“This home is all about the resort lifestyle. It’s perfect for tennis tournaments, the ultimate pool parties and summer soirees,” says Kate. “The traditions you can inaugurate and memories that can be made are endless, which is at the heart of joyful design.”

A mint green bar cart on a tennis court.
The scene is complete with a court-side umpire’s chair and a vibrant Classic With A Twist bar cart, with plenty of balls ready for fun and games. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Alfresco and pool

Whatever you could wish for in an outdoor area year-round, this home has it. “We love having a spa at night and are so happy that we put one in,” says the homeowner. “We use it all throughout the year, especially in winter.” From the house you can see the pavilion-style pool house, with a gym on the left and a bar and lounge area on the right. Snow pear trees grow next to the pool area, paved in aged limestone, with sun lounges from The Teak Place sourced by KWD&Co.

An outdoor pool area with white loungers leading to an alfresco area.
A white table and chairs from Classic With A Twist offer a spot to bask with a beverage. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)
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“We love to entertain our friends in the pavilion. We often sit in the lounge area having drinks.”

Homeowner
Two white pool loungers and parasols.
The pool and spa are popular with all ages. Sun lounges from The Teak Place are set against a landscape designed by Plume Studio and installed by Element Gardens. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

“We often enjoy a barbecue breakfast with our family,” says the homeowner. The outdoor kitchen has ‘Ziera’ marble benchtops to match the interiors, and the pavilion creates a shady oasis for the Freedom dining setting.

An outdoor alfresco area flanked by a stone fireplace.
A stone-clad fireplace makes the space usable all year. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Lifelong memories will certainly be made here. “Speaking to them after their first family summer in their coastal resort made it clear that the home brought them so much joy, happiness, interaction with friends and family connection,” shares Kate.

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An all-white laundry room with a vintage-style rug runner.
Custom joinery in the laundry adds storage near a Cromwell print and Cadrys runner. (Photography: Tim O’Connor / Styling: Jade Lee Martin)

Interior designer: KWD, katewalkerdesign.com.au, (03) 5974 1800.
Building designer: BD Building Design, bdbuildingdesign.com.au, 0408 671 701.
Builder: Magnus Construction, magnusconstruction.com.au, 0403 334 590.
Landscape designer: Plume Studio, plumestudio.com.au, (03) 7018 3240.
Landscaping: Element Gardens, elementgardens.com.au, 0438 741 383.

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