This superb holiday home is the ideal spot for the homeowners and their family to gather and enjoy the tranquillity of stunning Palm Cove.
For homeowners Dr Samuel and Jennifer Battaglia, their dream of building a retirement family holiday home was met with some significant challenges, but the result is far beyond what they ever imagined.
The couple, who have five adult children and are expecting their fourth grandchild, wanted to create a resort-style family hub that could not only accommodate the two of them, but also entertain 20+ adults and children. With extended family members located all across the globe and in Australia, this home was to be the destination for family and friends to meet and unwind and enjoy the tranquillity of the neighboring rainforest.
They enlisted the help of Ron Easterbrook and the team at Eastbuild Designer Homes to turn their dream into reality. The initial concept saw a double-storey home design with the provision for an internal lift. Just as the build was about to commence, Dr Samuel was diagnosed with cancer, so the team re-evaluated the restrictions of a double-storey design and went back to the drawing board to produce something that the couple love even more.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic also brought its challenges. Border closures meant Jennifer was separated from her family and friends throughout the 12-month build process, often having to stay in hotels and live out of a suitcase. “It has been frustrating and at times anxiety-inducing, but overall, with a wonderful builder and team, I have enjoyed the whole process immensely,” she notes.
“We were lucky to start the build before COVID so we didn’t have the supply problems that builders are currently experiencing, but we are struggling with lead times for furniture.”
Despite these challenges, Shambhala House was completed in July, 2021, with an astounding result that the family will no doubt enjoy once border restrictions are eased. Undoubtedly, this bespoke Palm Coves masterpiece opens to a world of grandeur, complete with the finest stone and marble finishes. “Stone was the key inspiration,” says Jennifer. “I love its story of creation through earth’s forces all over the world. Each piece has a beauty and essence of its own. When you walk through the villas of Europe, the stone is worn over hundreds of years and never loses its own story or function.”
Due to the intense nature of the environment, the warmth and humidity in this coastal region needed to be factored in when selecting material finishes. Stone’s ease of maintenance, coolness, liveability and longevity made it a no-brainer for this residence.
“Upon entering the property through stone and timber-lined features, you are welcomed into a magnificent splendour of high-level ceilings and local Chillagoe marble-clad internal feature walls,” says Ron of Eastbuild Designer Homes. The main home comprises a large living area, outdoor dining, kitchen, cellar, powder room and main bedroom and ensuite. There are two mirroring wings containing four bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchenette and small living area each. There is also a pool room/gym with an outdoor bathroom as well as a three-car garage and utility/equipment shed.
“The breathtaking 25m fully tiled pool is surrounded by numerous pergolas, exotic gardens, ledgestone columns and marble decks,” explains Ron, highlighting the homeowner’s desire to replicate the simplicity and serenity of resorts and villas worldwide. “The formal entry centrepiece is a glass-lined wine cellar complete with banks of wine fridges, dry agers and tasting table. The home boasts a magnificent 24-seat alfresco area complete with all the trimmings, there are six kitchens, a butler’s panty, six bathrooms and a stately powder room,” he adds.
The home also boasts state-of-the-art custom lighting and finishes designed for entertaining friends and family. No detail has been overlooked. In fact, Jennifer concedes that “more time and cost has gone into what you can’t see as much as what you can — from drainage and foundations to building products, design, eaves, pipe size and outdoor finishes.”
Although the family is yet to gather and enjoy this holiday home, its completion gives them a lot to look forward to in the years to come. Quality design, construction and material selection work together to ensure a tropical escape like no other.
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