A Coastal Family Home Without Any Coastal Cliches!

Architecture

Designed for a young family as their permanent residence, interior design and architecture practice Mim Design have avoided coastal cliches in this new home on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

This contemporary family home appears modest from the street, opting for a low-lying design reminiscent of mid-century architecture. However, the sleek, modern interior represents the interests and lifestyle of the owners, who run popular furniture and lifestyle label Coastal Living.

23rd November, 2020

The architectural form of this Mim Design house was conceived as a series of connected pavilions orientated to optimise light and vista across the sloping block. Photo – Tom Blachford

A staggered hallway on entry reveals the home’s split levels. Photo – Tom Blachford

James Ross Landscape Design designed the gardens. Photo – Tom Blachford

Concrete in the house was completed by Concrete by Keenan Harris. Photo – Tom Blachford

In the kitchen, the balanced proportions of an oversized pendant reign over a stone island bench. Photo – Tom Blachford

Tonal greys and whites in the kitchen. Photo – Tom Blachford

Brooklyn bar stools from Jardan facilitate casual dining around the island bench. Photo – Tom Blachford

Every area in the home has its own outlook to the outdoors. Caydon sofa by Coastal Living. Ivy coffee table by Grazia and Co. Photo – Tom Blachford

Photo – Tom Blachford

Dark brick brings dimension to the living space. Photo – Tom Blachford

Contemporary details in the living room, including the Caydon sofa by Coastal Living. and Ivy Coffee Table by Grazia and Co. Photo – Tom Blachford

The interiors draw on the relaxed, casual style of the clients’ furniture and homeward brand, Coastal Living. Photo – Tom Blachford

The Togo sofa from DOMO brings relaxed style to the living room. Vintage art print from In Good Company. Photo – Tom Blachford

Contemporary bathrooms offer comfort and style. Photo – Tom Blachford

Photo – Tom Blachford

The bedrooms are calming spaces are set away from the living areas. Photo – Tom Blachford

A dedicated study overlooking the pool allows the clients to run their business from home. Photo – Tom Blachford

Print from Aquabumps. Photo – Tom Blachford

Kelly ottoman from Jardan. Photo – Tom Blachford

Concrete contrasts with the bright, light blue of the pool. Photo – Tom Blachford

The home balances the needs of family and business in an idyllic setting. Photo – Tom Blachford

Pavilions are defined externally by differing materials. Photo – Tom Blachford

A curving breeze block wall encloses a courtyard at the front of the home. Photo – Tom Blachford

Outdoor living. Photo – Tom Blachford

Exterior materials include zinc that riffs off charred timber, to painted brick, and off-form concrete. Construction by Made Build. Photo – Tom Blachford.

Amelia Barnes

Monday 23rd November 2020

‘It’s a coastal home without any coastal cliches.’ – Miriam Fanning

Coastal Pavilion, as it’s known, is a new house designed by Mim Design on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

The family home belongs to Lou and Ross Nichols, owners of much-loved local furniture and lifestyle brand Coastal Living. Drawing on the relaxed, beachy style and pared-back palette of their design brand, Mim Design principal Miriam Fanning, director of architecture and Luca Vezzosi, and project architect Stella Lien, set out to create an authentic, timeless home to support contemporary living.

Miriam describes the house as a series of pavilions over split levels that respond to the site’s sloping nature and rear views. These pavilions are defined externally by differing materials, from zinc that riffs off charred timber, to painted brick, off-form concrete, and a curving breeze block wall.

A staggered hallway on entry reveals the home’s split levels separating the quiet and communal areas. ‘As regular entertainers, the design needed to integrate a private retreat at the front of the residence with a generous entertaining space at the rear,’ says Miriam.

Furniture wise, the home contains many luxe, comfortable pieces from Coastal Living, Domo and Grazia & Co., which soften the palette of tonal greys and whites. The placement of everyday items such as artwork, paired with pieces from the client’s own furniture business, enrich the house with sentimental values and personality. ‘There’s a sense of permanence signalling people really live here,’ says Miriam.

Striving for design longevity, this project is characterised by simplicity and restraint, while also leaving room to evolve and become more layered over time as the family grows. ‘What we love about this project is that it’s a coastal home without any coastal cliches,’ Miriam says.