LIGHT YEARS
THIS ENTREPRENEUR’S OCEANFRONT HOME IS FAR FROM YOUR AVERAGE BEACH SHACK
A bridal entrepreneur’s serene beachside home.
IF IT WASN’T FOR THE EXPANSIVE OCEAN VIEWS, you’d be forgiven for thinking Megan Ziems’ home was set within the bustling streets of Marrakech. The abode gives visitors the sense that simply drawing back a linen curtain could instantly transport you somewhere else – not that you’d want to. In actual fact, the four-bedroom, five-bathroom residence is situated along the shores of Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Although a unique juxtaposition, the contrast between the Moroccan-inspired interior and coastal landscape fits together perfectly in an organic, laid-back amalgam.
Ziems, founder and creative director of e-commerce bridal boutique Grace Loves Lace, purchased the property several years ago when it was still a “derelict” beach house. Ziems and her husband decided to knock down the existing structure and design a new residence, a process that took place over two years.
It’s no surprise that her inspiration came in the form of far-flung destinations. “I’m lucky to have done a lot of travelling, which served as the biggest inspiration for the house,” says Ziems. “I was equally inspired by fond childhood memories of my aunt’s place in Granada, Spain, as well as Instagram, books and magazines.”
“Her INSPIRATION came in the form of FAR-FLUNG DESTINATIONS”
Like her flourishing bridal business, the entrepreneur had a very specific vision for her dream home. “It was a struggle to get tradespeople to understand why we wanted things a certain way,” she explains. “I really stuck to my guns and avoided outside input so that everything felt authentic to us.”
Ziems wanted the residence to be free of sharp edges, with curved, rendered walls and ceilings and a large glass circular void over the spiral staircase. This presented a challenge, as everything had to be finished with rounded-off bullnose edges. “We didn’t have any timber framework or battening, or a single piece of skirting or architrave,” she says. “For beams and floors, we chose beautiful recycled timber that was once part of an old Melbourne bridge.”
During the design phase, Ziems factored in the furnishings. “The beach blocks here are quite narrow, so we had to plan carefully,” she explains. “We did a lot of built-in seating and shelving to make the most of the space and avoid clutter.”
Wearability was also an important consideration, with residents including Ziems’ two young sons, aged one and five, and dog Shady. Luckily, this fit the creative’s relaxed aesthetic. “I chose old, tumbled, honed limestone for the floors along with recycled hardwood – they’re both fuss-free and don’t show up sand or marks,” she says. “I went for easy-to-clean finishes. I didn’t want anything perfectly polished and modern – I wanted this house to feel casual, welcoming and have character.”
“I didn’t want anything PERFECTLY POLISHED and modern – I wanted this house to feel CASUAL, WELCOMING and have character”
Raw render and stonework provides a base for a palette of bright white and dark wood, finished with soft taupe linen, gold accents and (Ziems’ favourite element) the striking blue-and-white bathroom tiles. “It took an insane amount of time to find the right people in Portugal to make them,” she says. “A lot of love and passion went into them. Each tile was handmade and hand-painted.”
Global style inspiration aside, Ziems’ home is still every bit the seaside sanctuary, designed to welcome the outdoors in. “We have beautiful seamless Vitrocsa doors that are almost invisible and open up to the exterior,” she says. She points to the free-flowing kitchen, living and dining space as the area her family is most drawn to. “The social open plan design fits us perfectly. Having two busy little boys means we always move between the beach, pool and garden.”
More than just a space to cook or relax, the ground floor also showcases precious artworks, pictures and books – or “knick-knacks”, as Ziems’ husband prefers to call them. “I like things to be on display rather than hidden away in cupboards,” she says. “Everything reminds me of a place, a holiday, or a memory.”
“Having TWO BUSY little boys means we move between the BEACH, POOL and garden ”