Black on black may not immediately spell beach style. But in the gilded Gold Coast neighbourhood of Palm Beach, this dark horse is making waves with its bold palette, natural textures, and Melbourne-inspired mood.
Onyx is the dreamchild of Sam and Nicquel Carmichael of Carmichael Build. Utilising two decades of building and design experience, the couple explored their shared love of trailblazing architecture for the project. “We were also inspired by the moody sophistication of Melbourne architecture and interior design,” says Nicquel. “Giving Onyx a point of difference in the luxury coastal landscape helped develop the aesthetic.”
To bring their modern vision to life, Sam and Nicquel enlisted fellow Gold Coast locals, Story Design Collective. This boutique building design group is known for their meticulous architectural planning, perfect for the project (which was completed in just eight months, including a Christmas hiatus). The result is a visual and textural treat always destined to turn heads: a black beach house.
As dark and handsome as the name suggests, Onyx’s brooding façade gives serious street appeal, softened with creeping greenery and a mature olive tree. Inside there are moments of sheer awe (the six-metre-high stone wall makes a lasting impression) and deep seduction.
Organic materials and artisan craftsmanship lend a sense of heritage and the home skilfully balances a family-friendly floorplan with dreamy hues of sable, charcoal, and burnished silver.
While the colour palette channels stormy seas, there is a surprising warmth and serenity as you move through the spaces. “When done right, black can be sophisticated and alluring,” notes Nicquel. “It is a statement of strength and boldness but also one of comfort — in feng shui, black represents the water element and is symbolic of calmness and depth.”
The design has more than a cerebral connection with Japan thanks to the use of matte-black charred shiplap timber sourced from Australian Timber Ceilings. Drawing on the ancient Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban (or Yagisuki, meaning ‘burned cedar’), used for protection and to highlight the timber’s grain, this finish brings an earthy accent.
Touch-me textures and unexpected details pull focus in the silky darkness, inviting you to delve deeper into this captivating abode. For the jaw-drop entrance, the team looked to local supplier Stone Style for the magnificent (and durable) Pompeii marble. Custom black render from Gold Coast specialists Render X is used to excellent effect, delivering velvety vibes inside and stippled across the front fence for a more rustic feel. When raked across interior walls it evokes a zen garden; a motif echoed in other areas of the home.
The high-spec kitchen that forms the hub of the ground level features sleek timber joinery punctuated with Lo & Co’s Arc marble handles in ‘Tundra Grey’, with appliances selected from Gaggenau and Smeg. The rangehood is wrapped in Damastas stone from Signorino for a dramatic finish that is echoed in the benchtops. Over in the living room, a handmade Zen Occhio suspended wood burning fireplace is a playful, yet suitably subtle, hero piece.
The tone is refreshed throughout with honeyed oak flooring, lush greenery, open sight lines, and considered interior design choices (also directed by Sam and Nicquel). Working with Valiant Interiors, the team curated a furnishing plan to complement the refined mood, subtly accented with rich tones of rust and olive. Vast banks of feather-light curtaining and ‘disappearing’ glass doors invite sea air to wash through the spaces, a reminder that the Palm Beach waves are just a skip and jump away.
While its design may be genre-defying, make no mistake — Onyx is every bit a luxury build. All the accoutrements are here: from the 2.7-metre ceilings and sleek feature wine storage to the sparkling pool, entertaining terrace, and sculptural landscaping. There’s also a spacious executive study with private entry and powder room alongside the guest bedroom.
“The pandemic drove a massive shift towards working from home and we believe we will start to see more new residential builds cater to the remote-work trend, with exclusive office and breakout spaces,” says Nicquel.
Up the striking laser-cut staircase it’s a seamless visual transition to the four bedrooms, including a generous master retreat, and cosy second living area. The palette has a cocooning effect here, elegantly offset with oak, brushed nickel, and an abundance of glass to maximise the vaulted aspect. Hand-blown glass wall lights from Currumbin creatives Søktas bring a local touch.
In a sea of light and bright, Onyx by Carmichael Build could be seen as swimming its own race, but Nicquel notes they’re not the only ones exploring the far end of the colour spectrum. “Traditionally, people on the Gold Coast have tended to shy away from darker tones in architecture,” she says. “However, there seems to be a new wave of custom architectural homes using bold black interiors and exteriors in coastal suburbs across the city — and buyers are welcoming it.” Count us in.
Words: Nicole Deuble // Photography: Kristian Van Der Beek & Brock Beazley
