Open living This home is a celebration of sun, space and family

THIS SEASIDE FAMILY HOME IN A NORTHERN SUBURB OF PERTH IS A CELEBRATION OF SPACE, SUNLIGHT AND FAMILY

When Sue and Simon spotted an old dark-brick home sitting on a huge block by the beach not too far north of Perth’s CBD, back in 1990, the couple was sold. But it took them a few decades to create the home that would work as much for the now, as it would for the future. “We wanted to come home from the beach with our black Labrador Bear covered in sand, walk through the house and not worry about it,” says Sue of the sophisticated ‘beach shack’ concept she wanted. “And it needed to be a place where our children – Lewis, Sophie and Jackson – and grandchildren could come and stay, and our mothers could also come and stay.”

After delivering their brief to the WA-based Bacic Group in 2014 – “We gave them the brief, then left to live in Darwin for two years and said ‘go for it!’” Sue recalls – the designers got to work on creating a sunlit space that celebrates the home’s vicinity to the beach, its 800sqm block and a desire to create spaces for both a burgeoning family, whose members come and go, and to entertain extended family and friends, who are spread as far as South Australia and New Zealand.

The result is a contemporary and welcoming abode, which is as much an heirloom as a multigenerational home that features myriad spaces for family members to escape to or move in to more permanently at different times in their lives.

Set on a sloping site, the fresh new home is accessed from a white footbridge that leads from the public footpath, with a standout custom-made front door welcoming guests. Once inside, it’s an ethereal vibe as white oxide concrete is met with crisp white walls and ceilings. The luxe living room, dining space and kitchen are on this floor and seamlessly join a huge terrace offering sweeping views of the ocean. It is here that Sue and her family take in the breathtaking WA sunsets. Upstairs are four spacious bedrooms, including a fivestar main suite with an ensuite that is pure luxe, while downstairs features a self-contained studio to cater to multiple generations.

The look throughout is subtle and serene. “We wanted to create a simple beach-style house that had natural materials,” explains Sue. Finishes are no-fuss, referencing the sand through a sandstone wall and distressed timber cabinetry. Furniture celebrates relaxed living with cool white-on-white tones and texture introduced through carefully curated rugs and sink-into chairs that bring joy to the couple and make leaving home a challenging prospect. “For our 25th wedding anniversary, I googled places for a romantic getaway, but I kept coming back to the thought that we are already there,” recalls Sue. “We don’t need to leave home for a holiday destination. It’s a dream to live in.” >

“OUR HOME IS usable FROM THE FRONT TERRACE TO THE POOL – WE WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING” ~ SUE

“IT WAS^ important TO US THAT THE HOUSE beachy. FEEL COMFORTABLE AND THE TIMBER HELPED ACHIEVE THAT” ~ SUE

“THERE IS A view FROM EVERY ROOM, SO IT FEELS LIKE IN EVERY ROOM THERE IS holiday A SENSE OF ESCAPE” ~ SUE

KITCHEN

Sue, Simon and designer Elvira Nuic from Bacic Group chose an Italian kitchen (opposite) in Sanremo Oak by Nobilia, from Kitchen Choice, to bring texture to the white-on-white interior. “We needed a big fridge for our entertaining, so I found the Fisher & Paykel quad door in Harvey Norman, which is great,” explains Sue, pictured with Bear keeping watch. The ‘Pepe B’ barstools from Ultimo Interiors enhance the home’s sophisticated seaside aesthetic and don’t take up too much space in front of the bench, meaning people can mill around when they entertain.

DINING ROOM

There really is no need for an outdoor table for Sue and Simon, thanks to large doors that open up to make dining in feel like dining out (above). The table, sourced from Ultimo Interiors, continues the sandy hues of the cabinetry in the kitchen, while contrasting chairs – again from Ultimo Interiors – help to create interest and a hint of monochrome within the home. A selection of table accessories from Living Edge and Ultimo Interiors provides a golden touch while, in the corner of the living room (right), a charming reading zone has been created courtesy of a contemporary tan leather chair from Ultimo Interiors and a striking pair of sculptures by Patrick Kunoth from Mossenson Galleries. “I wanted the living area to be really relaxed and inviting,” says Sue. >

“WE WANTED THAT NO-FUSS holiday feel, SO OUR ENSUITES ARE RESORT-STYLE WITH NO SHOWER SCREENS” ~ SUE

MAIN BEDROOM

It’s all about tranquillity and comfort in the couple’s suite upstairs (above). “I wanted the bedroom to be an escape, and love spending time up there to relax,” explains Sue. “I usually do the ironing up in the living area off our bedroom, but end up gazing out to the ocean.” Interior designer Elvira helped

Sue pick the mushroom-coloured ‘Pepperdine’ carpet in Birch Bark from Trevors Carpets, along with Pure Linen linens for the bedding. “I really love the sea-glass look of the vases,” says Sue of the textured Ultimo Interiors accessories that are featured on the bedside table.

GUEST ENSUITE

“I love this bathroom, it has a really lovely feel without the shower screen,” says Sue of the ensuite (left). Outside, the dark fencing creates contrast with the white floor and wall tiles. “The mahogany fencing was finished in clear Diamond Oil, so will eventually fade to a silver colour, which will be lovely,” says Sue.

MAIN ENSUITE

Sue and Simon wanted a resortstyle bathroom, and their ensuite (opposite) ticks all the right boxes. Wood-look tiles from Kantili on the floor and wall envelop the space and, along with the white vanities, form an understated backdrop to the real star of this space – the view. “I feel like I am having a bath on the balcony,” laughs Sue, of the standout freestanding Normandy ‘Paris’ bath from Renovation D.

WE LOVE... a screen-free shower Sue and Simon decided to forgo a screen, meaning showering in this ensuite provides unrestricted views to the surrounds. A pair of rainwater showerheads – Polar shower roses from First Choice Warehouse – double the dosage of five-star luxury. Visit firstchoicewarehouse.com.au. >

SUNLIT SANCTUARY Homeowners Sue and Simon had family in mind when they built their expansive home by the beach in Perth, Western Australia. A granny flat, complete with kitchen and ensuite, sits within the home so the couple’s three children and their families can come and go. In the living room (above) the seaside outlook pulls focus, while decoration remains low-maintenance with a palette of white and off-white grounded by a textural vintage Beni Ourain rug from Temple Fine Rugs. Sophistication comes care of a Gallotti And Radice coffee table and a floor lamp from Ultimo Interiors, while artworks by Penny Coss inject colour. “We just wanted it to be somewhere people would be comfortable,” says Sue. >

EXTERIOR A timber door standing three metres high welcomes guests to the expansive home and provides a textural contrast to the concrete walls, painted in Dulux White On White. In the lounge room (opposite), the white-on-white theme continues with a loungey ‘Elden’ sofa from Blu Peter. Penny Coss artworks provide a cool colour contrast.

REAR EXTERIOR “While we wanted to feel like we were on holiday every day, the designers were heavily influenced by time spent on coastlines in Croatia, Italy and Spain,” says Sue. “So a white, minimalist, sculptural style evolved and it suited us both.” The solidity of the home is also a win. “When we get those big Perth winds, nothing rattles or moves, it’s rock solid,” adds Sue. “However, it still looks sophisticated.” The blue of the pool, which appears to float below the living area, is in perfect symphony with the Western Australia sky. CONTACTS Building designers, builder, interior design, landscape design Bacic Group, bacicgroup.com.au.