Life is golden for one couple as they move into their modern beach house by the shores of Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.
A series of property hunting hurdles led one couple to meet the man who would eventually bring their vision of a modern beach house to life, building designer Pete Taylor. The couple had been seeking to purchase a property close to their much-loved Kings Beach area, but someone else beat them to the punch whenever they were interested in a site. Inevitably, around six months later, they would see signage for Taylor’d Distinction — one of the Sunshine Coast’s most in-demand building design studios — appear on-site as construction began on yet another stunning house for the hot spot. The couple, quite literally, took it as a sign when they finally secured their perfect site and quickly commissioned the company to design their own dream home.
“Our vision was for a contemporary space which captured the ocean and beach views. We wanted open-plan living areas, high ceilings and white walls to give a sense of light and space,” says the couple of their initial brief when bringing Taylor’d Distinction on board the project. “We wanted a modern, relaxing home with an easy indoor/outdoor flow and a spacious, welcoming feel for our family and friends. And it had to boast simplicity in its style and design, too, one that will not date in this coastal setting.”
“Their brief was very open and non-restrictive — letting the corner site’s topography and amazing views guide the finished style,” adds Pete of the design concept. “Our clients really wanted their family home to be durable and include off-form concrete, natural stone and extensive use of glass, leading onto balconies on the middle and upper levels, to connect internal spaces with nature. Most importantly, they wanted a relaxed family house where their children, grandkids and friends could return from the beach with sand between their toes, greeted by the couple’s two golden retrievers. Basically, the quintessential contemporary beach house.”
Together with builder Dan Briscoe from Briscoe Homes, Taylor’d Distinction has delivered a fresh and contemporary home here, one that boasts three levels comprising four bedrooms, three bathrooms, three separate living areas, a library and a three-car garage. It’s a clever layout that makes the most of the elevated corner site — vast in vista with those magnificent views south over Kings Beach, and sweeping ocean views from Bribie Island to Moreton Island — yet compact in scale at only 557 m2.
“Designing the home over three levels enabled the design to centre around the main living and entertaining spaces on the mid-level, creating an accessible entry gallery at street level,” says Pete of the solution. “The ground level falls towards the beach, creating an elevated balcony to capture the stunning views.”
The upper level further enhances the aspect from the elevated corner site, affording sensational views from the master bedroom, ensuite, retreat and library while providing a greater sense of privacy.
The design blends sleek and modern features with the warmth of raw materials. Hand-pitched natural stone was chosen for the feature entry wall and fireplace, a tactile contrast to the polished rendered walls and concrete floors. Meanwhile, the charred external timber cladding and the expansive glass and off-form concrete of the connecting stair linking the mid and upper levels are an important design element both externally and internally.
The entry gallery immediately sets the scene for beachside living at its finest, welcoming one inside through a large pivot door to settle into relaxation. Inside, extensive use of louvres and considered placement of windows throughout the living zones catch the sea breeze and cross ventilation. Outdoor entertaining with a barbeque area on the mid-level captures the views and easy access to the garden.
It’s the kind of modern beach house where you can slip easily into a ‘holiday at home’ mode, cocooned in contemporary style — comfortably cool living by the sea.
“Peter and his team at Taylor’d Distinction were fabulous to work with. From the outset he listened carefully and reflectively, taking into account all of our needs, wants, ideas and suggestions and melding them with thoughtful style and expertise. He took the time to visit our previous home in Brisbane which had many features we hoped to replicate in the beach house,” says the happy couple of their new forever home. “We really enjoyed the entire process from start to finish – working with such a highly talented design and building team who we trusted implicitly. The finished home captures everything that we desired and more. It is such a lovely home to live in — we love the spacious, relaxed, holiday feel it evokes.”
Words: Natalie Bannister // Photography: Anastasia Kariofyllidis
