A tropical-style home to laze away long summer days

This Sunshine Coast retreat is nestled amid lush green foliage, which provides a resort-style backdrop for lounging. Cool breezes whisper through plantation shutters and a shady verandah set with a comfy rattan chair offers the ideal spot to relax.

This table and chair was rusted and dated before a powder-coated white treatment gave it a new lease on life.

Plantation shutters open completely to catch the breeze.

Allow the moments to drift by keeping cool in this closed-in verandah.

Adjacent to the kitchen, the open-plan living area is a cool retreat when the heat gets too much. A sofa in a neutral colour is beautifully accessorised with turquoise cushions. A knitted throw from Laura Ashley adds extra cosiness.

The brief for this kitchen was for something simple and easy to work in, with lots of drawers. The owners opted for Shaker-style units, painted in Taubmans Sienna Frost, and a worktop in blackbutt timber. The open kitchen means whoever’s cooking can chat to guests in the dining area. An expanse of windows floods the room with natural light, while a rattan ceiling fan lends a Hawaiian plantation vibe.

In the bedroom, patterned linen continues the home’s tropical theme. Turquoise cushions and a large agave canvas print pick up the cool aqua tones of the pool outside. A custom-made window seat by Alternative Kitchens doubles as storage.

Plantation shutters are gorgeous for indoors, but when looking for external blinds try aluminium indoor/outdoor shutters.

The orchid’s subtle burst of colour visually lifts this corner.

Bold printed bedlinen and black-and-white photographs picked up in Hawaii work the monochrome look, while original 1960s bamboo bedside tables add a touch of vintage Hawaiian chic.

A walk-in shower clad in travertine tiles is a luxe addition, while a bamboo ladder brings an organic touch to this bathroom.

A perfect spot for some gentle time out.

A reminder to not lose sight of what’s important.