Houzz Tour: A Laid-back, Beach-inspired Home on Sydney Harbour
Tactile textures and nature-inspired hues give this family home a relaxed coastal mood
Although this Sydney home was only five years old and in good condition when the homeowners decided to redecorate, they felt it lacked overall warmth and sought to turn their modern house into more of a ‘home’. This involved creating a relaxed, beach-style look and feel that incorporated elements of driftwood, textured, soft furnishings and the colours of the sea.
‘The house was very architecturally designed, with hard finishes and edges,’ says interior designer Marylou Sobel of Marylou Sobel Interior Design. The home needed a sense of warmth and softness to balance out the streamlined architectural elements, such as the steel finishes and abundance of glass doors and windows that showcased the water views. ‘We needed to make it functional, to consider the view, and make it comfortable and inviting,’ says Sobel, ‘to add layers and softness while still considering the architecture.’
‘The house was very architecturally designed, with hard finishes and edges,’ says interior designer Marylou Sobel of Marylou Sobel Interior Design. The home needed a sense of warmth and softness to balance out the streamlined architectural elements, such as the steel finishes and abundance of glass doors and windows that showcased the water views. ‘We needed to make it functional, to consider the view, and make it comfortable and inviting,’ says Sobel, ‘to add layers and softness while still considering the architecture.’
The tone is set by the beautiful beach-style table in the hallway. ‘We chose the glass and tree trunk table imported from Italy,’ says Sobel. ‘The logs actually come from Venice. It has such warmth, which is just what the hallway needed.’
Discover more ways to use rustic wood in your interior
Discover more ways to use rustic wood in your interior
The original living room furniture needed to be replaced as it was not wearing well and gave the living area a ‘poky’ feel.
All of the furniture was custom-designed and chosen to suit each of the rooms. ‘We had to consider soft, inviting colours that were not too overpowering,’ says Sobel. To create a welcoming feel to the scheme, the design team opted for clean lines, natural fibres and materials, and splashes of colour and pattern.
All of the furniture was custom-designed and chosen to suit each of the rooms. ‘We had to consider soft, inviting colours that were not too overpowering,’ says Sobel. To create a welcoming feel to the scheme, the design team opted for clean lines, natural fibres and materials, and splashes of colour and pattern.
Since the interior revamp, the house has become more inviting and usable for the family. ‘The family now all gravitate towards the large, comfortable sofas to socialise. It’s not just a place to watch TV, now it’s a place to gather,’ says Sobel.
The large living room sofas were custom-made to suit the space in terms of comfort and size.
The large living room sofas were custom-made to suit the space in terms of comfort and size.
The driftwood and iron coffee tables give the living areas some character and were custom-made for the home.
The curtains in the main bedroom were definitely a splurge, and were selected to complement the bedroom’s soft, neutral colour palette. ‘The bedroom is a big transformation from where it was when we started the job,’ says Sobel.
The architecture of the home is modern contemporary, whereas the furniture has more of an eclectic contemporary vibe, which gives the space a more inviting, natural feel.
The bedhead was custom made by the design team. ‘They wanted the bedroom to be a calm area to relax in,’ says Sobel. ‘The soft blue and grey tones, fabulous furnishings and organic materials were used to match (and show off) the magnificent outlook and create a spectacular haven.’
Grass weave wallpaper, Ascraft.
Grass weave wallpaper, Ascraft.
Curtain maker, upholsterer and art consultant company Art Duo were called on to help realise the vision for the space. The rugs were custom-made to suit the room’s dimensions and pre-determined colour palette.
Rug, Tibet Sydney.
Rug, Tibet Sydney.
Artwork was carefully chosen to complement the colour scheme. The neutral wood surfaces and gentle blue and orange shades each have a place in the space without competing for attention. This room is a perfect illustration of how contrasting colours can work together in harmony.
Artwork, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa.
Artwork, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa.
The textured wallpaper in the reading area/relax room off the main bedroom is a standout feature. Walls don’t need to be ‘Plain Jane’ by any means. Mix things up by treating your surrounding walls to textured finishes, patterns or a bold colour scheme – it can add so much more to an interior area in terms of style and feel.
Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, The Textile Company.
Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, The Textile Company.
If breathtaking water views weren’t enough, there is also an outdoor area that features comfortable seating and a spectacular green wall.
Be inspired by these living walls
Be inspired by these living walls
Sobel added the two low white chairs and scatter cushions for a fun pop of colour.
Clean lines, natural fibres and materials and bespoke finishes provide as sense of gentle harmony that defines the home’s interior and outdoor rooms and resonates with the water views beyond.
TELL US…
What do you think of the style of this beach-inspired home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Clean lines, natural fibres and materials and bespoke finishes provide as sense of gentle harmony that defines the home’s interior and outdoor rooms and resonates with the water views beyond.
TELL US…
What do you think of the style of this beach-inspired home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A family of five, which includes three adult children
Location Rose Bay, Sydney
Interior Designer Marylou Sobel
In five words Contemporary, eclectic, calming, textured and coastal
It’s amazing what can be achieved by overhauling a home’s furnishings and working within a thoughtful colour palette. The living areas were transformed to reflect the sea and draw in the exquisite views with a soft colour palette of blues and oranges, as well as an assortment of textures and patterns.
‘The view is an instant characteristic of the home,’ says Sobel. ‘The mixture of the new textures, organic materials, light patterns and comfortable furniture all contribute to the space.’