Forever home This stunning Hamptons haven is an oasis of calm

THIS HAMPTONS HAVEN IS AN OASIS OF CALM FOR A FAMILY WITH THREE BOISTEROUS BOYS

This stunning renovation, by Sydney couple Rebecca and Andrew, proves the third time really can be the charm. Three years ago, the couple, who had renovated twice before, were searching for the right property to renovate for their growing family – which includes their sons Oscar, Harry and Oliver. “We were looking for a larger block, ideally with ocean views, closer to the beach, and this Californian bungalow on a flat, 620 square metre block came up,” says Rebecca of their lengthy real estate journey. “We had kept our eye on the market for four or five years, really, waiting for something like this to come up, and when it did, we sort of pounced.”

She immediately got in contact with builders Cape Cod Australia, who had completed work on their previous house, for their advice – taking them through the bungalow to see if it could be reworked to create a dream home for the family. “Having renovated before, we knew the type of layout we wanted and the type of living rooms and bedrooms and bathrooms that we wanted, with a granny flat sort of idea. So, we brought the builders through, literally once the house was on the market, had a couple of discussions and said, ‘OK, I think we can do something with this’,” Rebecca says.

The renovation took about 16 months, with the family living in a rental home nearby. The scope of works included preserving the original facade of the bungalow, adding a second storey and reworking the whole back of the home to create a modern, open-plan kitchen and informal living area. A new deck leads onto a small backyard and a pool was added, as well as a garage that is topped by guest quarters – destined to be a teenage retreat for the boys, but for now just a stopping spot (and shower area) when the family returns from the beach.

With the combination of their location and the blue/grey palette throughout the home, the family has managed to create a resort-style atmosphere – almost like being on permanent holiday. The couple worked with designer Denai Kulcsar on the interiors, with Denai sourcing the soft furnishings, most of the furniture, devising the colour palette and liaising with the builders and joiners on all the finer details. “She was a breath of fresh air,” says Rebecca. “Not only did she know her stuff, we really were on the same wavelength. She is a mother of three children, so she understands the choice between beautiful fabrics and three boys who are going to have muddy knees.”

Rebecca and Denai took their inspiration for the home’s interior from the American East Coast style, which Rebecca says she adores because of the abundance of textures and its overall feeling of cosiness. “It’s mixing the old with the new,” she says. “It’s just that integration of textures and fabrics and other finishes, and done well they all just sit beautifully together.” Then there are those magnetic layers, which are somewhat irresistible. “There’s a sense of perfection to the look, but equally there are sofas that want to swallow you up,” adds Rebecca. “And those beautiful cushions, the rugs on top of rugs, and the sisal runners up the staircase. It’s all that extra-level detail that just makes our home feel really cosy and really homely.”