Light shines in the darkness

Dramatic architecture frames a glamorously moody interior in this Australian coastal escape, which is a bold departure from bright, breezy beach-house style

The moody interior of this Australian house is the antithesis of breezy beach style

With a sweeping outline that echoes the contours of its coastal location, this contemporary Australian home is a striking addition to the small town of Flinders on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Architecture firm Woods Bagot eschewed the traditional typology of the neighbouring coastal cottages and timber properties, choosing instead to design a second home for the owner that works in harmony with the landscape. To this end, two curved limestoneclad volumes are stacked in a staggered formation, referencing the geology of the rugged cliff they sit upon. Large swathes of glass puncture the exterior of the building, opening it up to the ocean, and the spectacular morning sunrises.

Behind the façade, the drama continues, with a dark and textural scheme that creates a sense of refuge. ‘The design is sympathetic to the house’s situation, allowing its inhabitants to feel protected by the building while experiencing the full impact of the exhilarating location,’ says Woods Bagot’s CEO Nik Karalis, who collaborated with interior design studio Hecker Guthrie and stylist Simone Haag on the interiors.

Acohesivepaletteoflimestone,charcoal-stained timber and ash-grey marble runs throughout the three-storey house. The upper level is dedicated to a large main bedroom, as well as a formal dining area – complete with a south-facing deck overlooking the coast. A staircase in wood and stone descends to the ground floor, where the focal point is a streamlined open-plan kitchen and living space. Here, functional elements blend discreetly into the background. ‘The home is a play on restraint and full exposure,’ explains Hecker Guthrie. ‘The opening and closing of different spaces, combined with the considered choice of materials, helps to infuse the interior with a sense of warmth – something that can end up being overlooked in a second home.’

‘The moody palette also inspired the choice of soft furnishings,’ adds Simone Haag, whose careful edit of furniture and accessories was the result of numerous shopping trips with the owner. ‘She wanted the home to be the antithesis of a typical beach house, and needed modesty and display to work in harmony.’ Brass accents and carefully chosen artworks sing out against the dark backdrop, while tactile leather and velvets in rich, muted hues up the comfort factor.

‘The exterior of the house has a strong presence, yet it’s very different inside,’ says Simone of the home’s comforting and cocooning feel. ‘The project deals with two contrasting scales,’ Nik agrees. ‘The building is in balance with the majestic coastal surroundings, while the interior is more intimate, both enveloping its inhabitants and connecting them to nature.’ woodsbagot.com; heckerguthrie.com; simonehaag.com.au

Inside, the drama continues, with a dark and textural scheme that creates a feeling of refuge

The idea, explains stylist Simone Haag, was for this home to be the ‘antithesis of a typical beach house’

Exterior The curved walls are clad in limestone, referencing this home’s coastal location. Large windows punctuate the façade, which is oriented to take in the sunrise, while shielding the homeowners from the heat of the afternoon sun Dining area Gubi’s ‘Beetle’ dining chairs by GamFratesi, upholstered in a grey-green velvet, are paired with a ‘Miller’ table by Andrea Parisio for Meridiani to create an air of understated glamour in this ground-floor space

Dining area A bar is concealed behind doors in the curved timber wall that leads into this space. Beside it stands a gold, sculptural ‘Beolab 18’ speaker by Bang & Olufsen

Living room Charcoalstained timber and ash-grey marble line the walls of this layered and textural area. Here, a large ‘Maralunga’ sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina surrounds a ‘Portal’ coffee table by Apparatus Studio. In front is an ‘Officina’ lounge chair and footstool by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Magis. The dramatic seascape painting is by Australian artist Paul Ryan, from James Makin Gallery. The simple ‘Vivo’ timber stools are by Fanuli, while a custom rug by Halcyon Lake covers the floor

Study Two leather ‘Beverly 14’ armchairs by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia sit opposite a ‘Jacob’ writing desk by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti in this office space, with a floor lamp from Hub Furniture. A dramatic artwork by Trevor Mein from Melbourne-based gallery Otomys reflects the mood

Kitchen Sleek units line the wall, completed with a dark-grey marble countertop that extends to the splashback. Gubi’s ‘Beetle’ bar stools by GamFratesi provide comfortable seating at a counter designed for informal dining. In the connected seating area, a Molteni & C ‘Reversi’ sofa by Hannes Wettstein, ‘Asymmetrical’ sofa in leather by BassamFellows and a solid bronze ‘Asperitas’ side table by Sydney-based studio Ac-s face a contemporary fireplace (above). The vintage red velvet armchair is one of a pair from Australian furniture emporium Nicholas & Alistair, while the geometric ‘Laurel’ marble side table is by Luca Nichetto for De La Espada

Landing The cohesive material palette continues on the upstairs landing, where a ‘Home Hotel’ bench by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform is positioned to take in the view. An ‘Otto’ round mirror by Great Dane bounces light around the space and creates a feeling of depth

Dining room The focal point of this space is a streamlined oval dining table by Mads Johansen, bought at Great Dane – a good place to find Scandinavian designs in Melbourne. Above it hangs a ‘Neverending Glory Pendant La Scala’ by Jan Plecháč and Henry Wielgus for Lasvit from Australian lighting store Living Edge. ‘DC09’ dining chairs by Inoda+Sveje for Miyazaki Chair Factory, available at Aram Store, surround the table, on which sits a vase from Melbournebased Criteria Collection. In the corner is a ‘Neptunia’ chair by Arflex for Poliform

Bathroom Decadently clad in marble from Signorino, this space features a ‘Must’ side table by Willy Dalto for Altamarea and, above the tub, a ‘Tip of the Tongue’ wall light by Michael Anastassiades for Flos Study Attached to the main bedroom is an area the homeowner refers to as ‘the retreat’. It features Rimadesio’s versatile ‘Zenit’ shelving system as a wall divider. An Arne Jacobsen ‘Swan’ chair for Fritz Hansen sits at a ‘Compas Direction’ desk by Jean Prouvé for Vitra, next to which is a 1950s floor lamp by Stilnovo

Dressing room Two ‘Mirto’ stools by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia are positioned at a marble vanity table. The glass ‘Buds 2’ table lamp is by Rodolfo Dordoni for Foscarini Main bedroom Rodolfo Dordoni’s ‘Tatlin’ bed for Minotti – with bedlinen from Abode in Melbourne – is a tactile addition to the timber-panelled bedroom. Next to it is an elegant marble-topped ‘Onda’ bedside table from Poliform, with a minimalist wall light by Lambert & Fils mounted above See Stockists page for details