Holiday at Home – This classic Hamptons design is ideal for Aussie families and would make the most luxurious coastal beach house.
This new design, titled Retreat from McDonald Jones, has been created from continuous consultation and client feedback over the past three decades, along with the company’s commitment to innovation and architectural design to truly take advantage of the best of the Australian lifestyle. The Retreat design was created to be a family home that felt like a holiday home. It is part of the Stuart Everitt range of architecturally designed homes on display at Waterford Living.
The design was recently up for some major building awards, and the judge who walked through the Retreat display was so impressed, they returned on the weekend to request a quote on building the home for themselves!
The home’s exterior is finished with classic lightweight cladding around the entire house and beautiful, cultured stone pillars in an Alpine, Surfmist and Whitewash colour palette. Upon entering the home, the grand foyer sets the tone for the abundance of luxury, light and architectural features showcased throughout.
One of the standout features of the Retreat is the 2.7-metre-high raked ceilings in the open-plan living area. The thoughtful maximisation of natural light complements Australia’s love of indoor-outdoor living, as does the serene coastal beach-house styling.
The dining room features three incredible Velux skylights and expansive stacker doors, creating a dramatic effect for intimate evenings. The contemporary stackers continue seamlessly, integrating the large alfresco with the open-plan living space as well as offering direct access to the yard from the oversized children’s activity room.
The heart of the home centres around the beautifully designed galley kitchen, which will delight the home chef with its practicality, space and style. Active families will love the functional layout, offering easy access through the butler’s pantry via a shopper’s entrance to the foyer, powder room and internal access to the garage, home theatre and bedrooms wing for the ultimate in convenience.
The contemporary glass treatments continue in the home theatre with a large window that enables this space to be used as a second living area, which enjoys beautiful views.
The exceptional design continues with coffered ceilings in the master suite, home theatre and children’s activity, plus an incredible three-metre-high ceiling in the foyer, which amplifies the grandeur of this home.
For a relaxed Australian interpretation of the Hamptons style, the internal finishes include natural timber flooring and cabinetry in the laundry, natural stone colours throughout the carpet, tiling and benchtops and the continuation of the whitewashed colour palette throughout the kitchen and bathroom cabinetry with relaxed coastal-style soft furnishings.
The fixtures selected range from beautiful chandeliers in the dining and foyer areas, antique-look taps and handles in brushed nickel and round basins, curved freestanding baths and frameless mirrors. This design also offers the flexibility to respond to changing lifestyles, which ensures it will stand the test of time.
The Retreat is proudly a modern coastal home, with a monochromatic palette of greys, white and warm oaks. The exterior weatherboard cladding is painted in a medium grey with fresh white trims and a thick white sill running around the lower third of the home.
Internally, the grey and white theme continues. The open-plan living area has a designated nook for your TV and cabinet, with a feature of VJ panelling in the same grey colour as the exterior cladding. An oversized modular sofa provides plenty of seating for your family and friends. The coffee table offers a cute moment of vignette styling, with a side table nesting beside it and coral layered on books that are begging to be read.
The straight angles of the oak dining table are contrasted by the soft curve in the backs of the mid-century-style chairs. A built-in console on the wall opposite is the perfect opportunity for styling and serving nibbles and drinks.
The kitchen cabinetry is very pared back, but the hardware in an antique bronze finish with a traditional design reminds you that this is still a Hamptons-inspired home. The splashback of hand-cut tiles has an organic feel, while the expansive Caesarstone benchtop, plethora of cabinetry and the walk-in pantry offer generous storage opportunities with space to spare for your kitchen vignettes.
In the family bathroom, the floor and wall tiles are dressed in glazed porcelain in a matt light-grey tone. A floating vanity with double sinks keeps it feeling minimalistic. The freestanding bath gets a great view from the window, with semi-opaque sheers providing privacy.
The bedrooms feel beachy cool and oh-so comfortable! Layers of plush pillows and cotton bedding with a natural linen bedhead promise a rejuvenating night’s rest with the sound of the waves. To finish off, the modern bedside tables speak to the oak flooring of the downstairs areas, injecting warmth and natural texture.
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