An island-inspired family retreat on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

Beyond the oversized, heavyset timber door of this house on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is a tranquil compound that could be mistaken for a resort but is, in fact, a serene family home.

“In the very first meeting, we pitched a resort-style concept to our clients, who said, ‘Done – that’s exactly what we were thinking,’” recalls Megan Burns, the creative director of CM Studio. “Early on in the process, they asked, ‘Why can’t our house feel like being on a permanent holiday?’ And we said, ‘Well, we don’t see why not!’”

A hefty main entry to the house from the street opens to the front courtyard. The steps are timber railway sleepers from Robert Plumb. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

Surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and close to the beach, the natural environment provided the perfect foundation for the new build. The facade, a combination of sandstone, battened screens, rumbled brass and copper downpipes, has a protective shell that can withstand the strong winds of the south-facing headland location.

Accessed via a covered walkway, through a private walled garden with a water feature, the house begins at a large pivot door. Whether it’s dawdling on the way to school or wandering down to catch some waves, this in-between space sets the tone for an unhurried, laid-back lifestyle. 

The soaring ceilings in the rear sitting room are hand-finished and wire-brushed tallowwood. ’Starlight’ pendant from Henge. ’Hectare’ sofa from e9 Design. De La Espada ‘Twenty-Five’ coffee table from Spence & Lyda. Ligne Roset ‘Oxydation’ table and ‘Rondone’ table from Domo. ‘Kimono’ outdoor lanterns from Karman. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

The kitchen’s Calacatta Oro marble island top is from Anterior XL. Cabinetry by Saltwater Joinery. ‘Yokato’ tap from Brodware. Miele oven and Sub-Zero fridge from Winnings. Stools by Daniel Boddam. On the island is a ’Rocca’ vessel by Katarina Wells from Curatorial+Co. Artwork by Michael Cusack from Olsen Gallery. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

“We are lucky to have had the chance to travel over the years and stay in some beautifully designed and curated hotels,” says Amy, who lives in the house with her husband, Gary, and their two children.

“The main inspiration for the house has come from our island holidays in Fiji, the Maldives and Indonesia. We’ve never been to the Caribbean, but I’ve always loved the relaxed and open architecture [from that region], which really informs a more casual approach to living.”

Above the fireplace is an artwork by Morgan Stokes from Curatorial+Co. ’Hectare’ sofa from e9 Design. DePadova ‘Silvia’ chair from Boffi. De La Espada ‘Twenty Five’ coffee table from Spence & Lyda. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

’Møller 77’ dining chairs from Great Dane. Artifort ‘Suit’ chair from Ke-Zu. Microcement balustrade wall by Calce Company. ’Spruce St’ spotlights from Dunlin. Pinch ‘Gentle’ table lamp from Spence & Lyda. Items on table from The DEA Store and District. Ligne Roset ‘Apuso’ side table at left from Domo. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

Opening directly into a spacious kitchen, living and dining area with wire-brushed timber floors and high gabled ceilings lined in sandblasted tallowwood, the interiors are evocative of Balinese dwellings but with a contemporary Australian twist.

Bookending either side of the rear zone are a laundry and a rumpus room. A separate guest bedroom and cosy secondary living room create a U-shape on either side of the front deck. There’s also a covered yet open-to-the-sides terrace where the kids often eat away from the adults. 

Details of the ‘Jasper’ sofa and Ligne Roset ‘Rondone’ occasional table. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

“A lot of people walk up and down the street because there’s a national park in the area, so it was important nobody could see in,” explains Megan. “The house is elevated from the street and by building a low stone wall along the facade, we enabled Amy and Gary to have privacy and still enjoy the views.”

In the largely open living area, the ‘Rattan Daisy’ flush ceiling light is from Soane Britain. ‘Dornstab’ floor lamp from Great Dane. Rug from Armadillo. Il Fanale ‘Round Lanterne’ outdoor floor lamps from Light Co. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

The stainless-steel pool slide looks like a sculpture. Made by UK design company Splinterworks. Dangar Barin Smith was the firm behind the landscape design. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

The interiors unfold at a leisurely pace, with an easy-to-navigate floor plan and ambience. Designed to expand and contract, the ceilings are lower in the kitchen compared to the vast proportions of the double-height living and dining area.

And while the house is mostly open plan, a series of pocket doors provide the flexibility to contain spaces. Tucked underneath the stairs is a powder room with a vanity clad in travertine pieces that have been cut along the vein. It appears like crystal melting and is always a talking point with guests.

The front pavilion is mainly used by the kids for meals. Table and chairs from Robert Plumb. Glasses from Simple Beautiful Things. Carafe from Space. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

The oak staircase twirls to the first floor, sunlight spilling through the stairwell and bouncing around the curved Marmorino plastered void.

Entry to the parents’ wing is via an arched door, the battened timber flogged with metal chains for an aged appearance. There are also two bedrooms for the couple’s tweens, both with ensuites.

The cabinetry in the primary suite is by Saltwater Joinery. Bedcover and bolster cushion from Cultiver. Ligne Roset ‘Togo’ chair from Domo. ’Belle Meade’ sconces from Urban Electric. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

Luxurious materials define the ensuite. Vanity top and drawers in ‘Travertine Zena’ from Artedomus. ‘Yokato’ tapware from Brodware. Three vessels from The Dea Store: ‘Ball’ vase by Tetsuya Ozawa and bowl by Toru Hatta. Oval Sandy White terrazzo stone bath from Paradise Living. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

The home’s organic colours and jigsaw of oak, limestone and travertine finishes exude a calm and effortless sensibility.

“Layering a palette of natural materials created a sense of warmth,” says Megan.

Inside the ensuite, with a glimpse of the skylight over the bath. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

Exploring ideas around the architecture of traditional island villas, she incorporated multiple pitched roofs and interlocking pavilions into the house, especially when it came to the outdoors. At the back of the home, floor-to-ceiling glass unzips for a seamless transition to the garden, which is lined with hanging lanterns and has a walkway with eaves upheld by posts.

Here, there’s an undercover barbecue area with built-in seating that sits between the house, and a multi-purpose pavilion used as both a teenage retreat and guesthouse.

Lower ceilings make the front room a cosy retreat. The artwork is by Richard Whadcock from Studio Gallery Group. ‘Jasper’ sofa from King Living. Bowl by Kazuya Ishida and plate by Ryo Kodomari from The DEA Store. Picasso vase by Humble Matter from Curatorial+Co. ((Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar)|(Photography: Anson Smart | Styling: Claire Delmar))

Amy and Gary wanted the outdoors to be a place their guests and kids could enjoy. The pool has a wild stainless-steel slide, which they kept as a surprise from the kids up to the moment it was craned in.

“Most people think it’s a sculpture,” says Amy. “Until they see someone rocketing down at pace!”