This Hyams Beach home is a step up from the original humble beach shack, with its light-filled interiors and wide verandahs embracing ocean views
After knocking down a tired but well-loved fibro beach hut, the homeowners of this new build wanted a larger holiday house to accommodate their growing family. Located in the beautiful Jervis Bay area on the south coast of NSW, they wanted to retain the beach-side holiday vibe. “My main aim was to capture the casual beach-house feel we loved in the old shack,” says homeowner Laura-Lee Chick.
The large timber home is open plan, with plenty of space for the Chick homeowners, their five grown children and their seven grandchildren. There are five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two spacious living areas with a fireplace, plus decks and verandahs incorporated into the landscaping on the ground level and taking in the tranquil ocean views from the second storey. Bifold doors allow both storeys to open out onto large outdoor areas. The upper deck has magnificent views of the bay while the lower deck is covered and protected. “We can entertain no matter what the weather,” says Laura-Lee.
“The brief for this house was for a large free-flowing design with large outdoor areas,” says David Reid of David Reid Homes, which built the project. “The homeowners wanted the exterior to reflect a little bit of a Hamptons style,” adds David. With an outlook of Jervis Bay and Hyams Beach, the house was designed to embrace the ocean vista and let in natural light, without compromising on privacy.
David Reid Homes has built a great family holiday house that incorporates the Chick family’s love of beach shacks from all over the world, including the Hamptons and its slightly more sophisticated look. “The colours in Jervis Bay are so incredible; you only need to take in the view to be inspired,” says Laura-Lee.
The home features white and limed timber, cladding and stone, which creates a light, natural, coastal feel. Casual and beachy, the home also has wide stairs to the dining area and on the decks to provide extra seating and for low-key entertaining and relaxing. The contrasting colour palette of the home’s exterior creates a timeless and sophisticated look that stands out.
During the build, David and the homeowners were able to work together, adding more space to the upper deck along the way — a suggestion that was “worth every cent”, says Laura-Lee — as well as considering other basic layout changes inside the home. “Custom building is about changes on the run … just getting things done. Our aim is to get it right for the client and achieve the best result for them,” explains David. This attitude has definitely pleased these homeowners, and led to this stunning creation. In fact, Laura-Lee’s favourite parts of the new build are two alterations to the initial plans. “The builder and I managed to alter the plans to fit a scullery in the kitchen; for an entertainer it’s a sheer delight,” says Laura-Lee. “I also really like the very private ensuite walk-in behind the bedroom wall, which also happened during construction.”
Unobtrusive rainwater tanks have been installed under the house and the home uses solar hot water.
With its spectacular natural coastal scenery and relaxed beachside feel, this home is the perfect holiday getaway that is sympathetic to its local area and versatile for a large entertaining family. “It’s just a beautiful, comfortable, easily maintained home,” says Laura-Lee.
For more information
David Reid Homes
Photography by Ken Brass
Originally from Home Design magazine Volume 17 Issue 5