MID-CENTURY VIBE WITH A TWIST
Palm Springs retro style will seduce you, Leigh Bramwell discovers
Sarah Hassett says there could be a few issues getting her husband Ant to move away from Herald Island. He’s lived there almost all of his life. Has family there, too. Could be touch and go when the times comes to pack up, she reckons.
“It’s a beautiful place,” says Sarah. “We’re surrounded by water so it’s great for boats and jet skis. We’re two minutes from the boat ramp, there’s a picturesque wharf one minute from home, and an old fire station with a little library.”
Sarah and Ant built their house at 98 Ferry Parade on the island in 2011. They were inspired by an architect friend to put together a mid-century look with a modern twist, based on similar houses in California, at Palm Springs and Malibu.
The wish list was carefully thought out. The house had to have plenty of space for entertaining, inside and out. They host an annual Christmas event for 40 or 50 people and it works perfectly.
Sarah’s “treasure of a kitchen” has a big oven, plenty of storage and a good-sized butler’s pantry with its own sink, bench and room for all appliances.
“That’s my favourite place in the house. I love being in there,” says Sarah. “My wardrobe is my second favourite, although I have pretty much taken over all the wardrobes in the house.”
A separate space for guests is a pod above the triple garage. It started life as a home office but has proven its versatility over time.
The house, for sale by negotiation, presents a cool faade, clad in cedar battens with timber decking virtually encircling it.
There’s a built-in barbecue and a modern take on a conversation pit on the front deck, and a spa pool outside the master suite.
The open plan kitchen, dining and living space opens up via four big sliding doors to the deck.
There are five bedrooms – four in the main house and another with its own bathroom in the pod above the garage.
“People say you have to build three houses to get it right,” Sarah says. “We love that Palm Springs retro style, so if we do build again we might even go a bit bolder with that. ”