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6 Of Our Favourite Coastal Homes of 2022

What are summer holidays without a stint at a beach house somewhere along the coast? Whether it’s a visit to a friend’s home, an Airbnb rental or your own beach shack, nothing quite marks the sunny season like waking up to fresh sea air and sunshine!

Today we’re taking a look back at some of our favourite coastal homes from 2022 – and planning our next trip to the beach, stat!

Written

Lucy Feagins

Catherine Spillane and her partner Drew Rampal chose Japanese charred hardwood shou sugi ban for their home’s exterior cladding. Windows by Binq Windows. Photography – Nikole Ramsay for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portel

Paper lantern and couch by Pop & Scott. Rug by Weave. The coffee table base was found in hard rubbish and refurbished by homeowner Drew. Photography – Nikole Ramsay for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Kitchen cabinets in Porter’s Paints Bayleaf. Light shade by Mud Australia. Stools by Living By Design. Splashback tiles from Academy Tiles. Photography – Nikole Ramsay for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photography – Nikole Ramsay for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

A Newly-Built Coastal Home Filled With Character + Colour

The family home of Catherine Spillane, Drew Rampal, and their children Wilbur (3) and Percy (4 months) has the feel of a well-established property, only it’s a completely new build!

The couple moved to Anglesea, Victoria in 2017 and recently completed their self-designed dream house in the relaxed coastal town.

This delightful home is family-friendly with its robust and versatile interiors, incorporating sustainable features and materials that hero the surrounding landscape.

Read the full story here.

Vintage Barsony lady sculptures. Leather Strapping Dining Chair from Fenton & Fenton. Leather Strapping Bar Stool from Fenton & Fenton. Checkerboard Dhurrie from Fenton & Fenton. Vintage poster from @vintagepostersonly. Vintage floor lamp. Photo– Eve Wilson

Vintage rattan bedhead. Artwork by Sophie Witter. Bed linen from Bedouin Society. Zulta Silk Velvet Cushion from Fenton & Fenton. Photo– Eve Wilson

On right: Work on paper by Peter D Cole. On left: Photograph by Tara Pearce. Vintage rattan sofa and coffee table. Navy Tartan Dhurrie from Fenton & Fenton. Various cushions from Fenton & Fenton. Ceramic lamp by Jai Vasicek. Photo– Eve Wilson

Artwork by Daniel Bean. Vintage sofa from Curated Spaces. Moroccan carpet Lucy sourced in Marrakesh. Vintage lamps and vases collected over the years from secondhand shops, auction houses, op-shops and markets. Coffee table from Fenton & Fenton (sample). Velvet Cushion in Mango from Fenton & Fenton. Photo– Eve Wilson

Lucy Fenton’s Relaxed Retro Beach House

After 10 years of renting houses for family holidays in Anglesea, Lucy Fenton, owner of Fenton & Fenton, and Josh Markey decided to buy one of their own. There wasn’t much on the market at the time, but when they stumbled across this ’80s gem with bucketloads of character and untapped potential, they knew it was the one!

Through cosmetic updates alone, Lucy and Josh have enhanced this property’s ‘80s bones for an overall ‘relaxed retro’ feel. It remains a classic Australian beach house — a place where nothing is too fancy or precious.

Read the full story here.

‘The jetty is the best spot to run and jump in the water on a hot day,’ says Richard. ‘The only access to the house is by water.’ Photo – Anson Smart

‘The boat shed is the dreamiest spot in the house, we love lazing in here on a hot summer day. A little snooze after lunch in here is heaven,’ says Richard. Photo – Anson Sma

The beaded chairs in the sunroom are from Richard’s buying trip to South Africa. Photo – Anson Smart

‘The original inglenook has been warmed up with hot orange accents, woven plates and footstools from travels in Morocco,’ says Richard. The vintage tulip table is from Rudi Rocket. Photo – Anson Smart

An Incredible 1896 Waterfront House, Accessible Only By Boat

This beautiful home is located on Rocky Point in Lovett Bay – a northern Sydney suburb only accessible by water. Garden designer Richard Unsworth has been holidaying in this house for 25 years with the previous owner’s daughter, Justine Johnston.

The friends and their respective partners purchased the home together from Justine’s mother six years ago, spending weekends by the water ever since!

Read the full story here.

Anglesea Cabin by Lian is a project deeply tied to its owners and the surrounding landscape in the Victorian beach town. Lian were engaged to ‘make good’ the 1960s home’s existing elements to enhance usability and the cabin’s spirit. Photography – Ben Clement

A family height chart drawn on the plaster that once lined the corridor is now framed and positioned beside the dining table. Photography – Ben Clement

Victorian ash timber boards carry the exterior qualities of the retained Californian redwood cladding inside. Photography – Ben Clement

A Classic 1960s Australian Beach Cabin, Renovated With Soul

Deep respect for the landscape permeates Lian’s recently-completed renovation of an 1960s Anglesea, Victoria beach shack. The intent to enhance the coastal locale was likewise upheld by the builder, Michael Russell, who lives on the same street.

With a respectful, restrained approach, a comprehensive renovation was achieved, to maximise liveability throughout the seasons, and connections to nature.

Read the full story here.

All existing joinery was clad in oak veneers, while the sweeping island bench required 8 men to carry it into the house! Photo – Dave Kulesza

‘We created the curve to soften the space and to make the curve in the hallway. The hallway was previously narrow, and so we took some space from the oversized main bedroom,’ Fiona says of the master bedroom. Photo – Dave Kulesza

A look into the calming living room. Photo – Dave Kulesza

A Tonal Sorrento Beach House Inspired By The Italian Coast

Sorrento, Italy is known for its panoramic waterfront views, clifftop settings, and pastel-coloured fishing village. And Melbourne’s own Sorrento, nestled on the Mornington Peninsula, has plenty of coastal charm in its own right.

But this recently completed Sorrento home by Fiona Lynch brings together the best of both worlds – featuring the typical ideals of an Australian holiday house while celebrating the homeowner’s Italian heritage.

Warm and minimalistic interiors helped transform the 1980s merchant-builder home into a contemporary family retreat. Step inside!

Read the full story here.

Love Moroccan Rugs rug. Artwork on right wall by Cameron Forsyth. Bar stools from The Vintage Shed. Dulux Vivid White walls. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Tulip chairs bought off Facebook Marketplace and covered in a velour orange fabric. Framed Journey of Something puzzle on rear wall. Heico pineapple lamp. HKliving fabric lamp shade. Love Moroccan Rugs rug. Ikea shelves. Jai Vasicek bowl. Dulux Vivid White walls. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

HKliving striped blanket. Weave by Kate Jansen. Woven basket (used as a pot) from The Colour English. Green vintage tin from The Vintage Shed. Ikea bookshelf. Castle cushion. Sage and Clare rug. Dulux Vivid White walls. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Artificial grass was installed for a low maintenance lawn. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

A Bright + Happy Family Beach House In Mount Martha

The family home of Kate Jansen is an extension of her art practice Wowhaus: bright, colourful, and just a little reminiscent of a Palm Springs getaway!

The couple and their children Jazmin, 17, and Jake, 11, moved to the Mornington Peninsula from the UK (where Kate is originally from) in 2014, and this house in 2018.

The Mount Martha home supports their relaxed family lifestyle to a tee, and is brimming with good vibes!

Read the full story here.

This renovated beach house that celebrates its sunny backyard and happy feel! Photo – Heidi Shreeve

Birch ply laminate joinery Laminex. Beige console from Curated Spaces. Chairs at heads of table sourced by Good Space. Brown leather chairs sourced by @midcenturyco on Instagram. Table made by Billy Furniture. Photo – Heidi ShreevePhoto – Heidi Shreeve

Haydn Green, director of Momentum Building Group, and Lucinda McKimm bought and renovated together. Photo – Heidi Shreeve

Bench stools from Circa Sixty & Co. Kitchen joinery is birch ply laminate from Laminex Beige console from Curated Spaces. Chairs at heads of table sourced by Good Space. Brown leather chairs sourced by @midcenturyco on Instagram. Table made by Billy Furniture. Photo – Heidi Shreeve

A Happy, No-Fuss Beach House On The Mornington Peninsula

When looking to buy their first home together, Haydn Green (director of Momentum Building Group) and Lucinda McKimm searched for beach houses with character and the potential to renovate.

This modest brick house on the Mornington Peninsula ticked all the boxes, while offering plenty of room to extend on its generous block.

Working with the couple’s close friend, architect Victoria Merrett of Pleysier Perkins, Haydn built a new extension taking advantage of the property’s sunny backyard, without stripping the home of its original charm.

Read the full story here.

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