Throwing caution to the wind Greene Homes Whitsunday defies the old adage of “never work with friends and family”! Who doesn’t want a seaside holiday house? And how could we resist our first beachfront build even if it was for our neighbours, friends and important trade industry colleagues, Parnell’s Metal Industries, Proserpine. Further to the fray we would have their son, our apprentice, build it. What great build doesn’t begin with a degree of trepidation…?
The project: beachfront block, 2 storey, 4 bed, 2 bath with carport, pool and outside entertaining area
Being the home of the director of Parnell’s Metal Industries, not surprisingly, this build was going to feature steel. Structural steel frame, steel architectural details around the entertaining area roofline and Colorcote Magnaflow corrugated steel roof, wall cladding and eaves (a product developed specifically to deal with the rigors of coastal conditions).
This is however no tin shanty. Nor does it fall into a coastal cliché. Innovative design use of the corrugated cladding makes a novel feature of the eaves. Drawing the attention up to an oft forgotten aspect of the home and accentuating the linear skillion architectural style of the roofline.
Angular structural steel beams converge over the pool creating an almost sculptural aesthetic. Masculine metal design aspects are balanced by warm feminine design influences featuring blonde wood. In the kitchen a soft grey concrete look manufactured stone, waterfall island bench. And in the bathrooms, satin finished, custom-cast, concrete basins. The concrete brings a contemporary touch to the beachside vibe and compliments the blonde timber look cabinetry.
The blonde timber influence is carried throughout the home with the beautiful blackbutt floating timber staircase, blackbutt timber feature wall behind the master bed and blackbutt timber his and hers bar tops on the private parents’ retreat balcony.
In accordance with the Australian design mantra of bringing the indoors outdoors, the blonde timber features found throughout the home’s interiors are continued and inverted outside onto the ceiling of the outdoor entertaining area. The warm feel of this timber look basks the acres of outdoor entertaining area in a balmy glow and compliments the cool blue of the pool and grey tiling. Glass paneling and doors in the living area and kitchen ensure that the beach facing aspect of the home enjoys bountiful natural light and beautiful views. The rest of the colour palate is kept neutral; white walls, and ceilings in keeping with the beachside theme. An enjoyable collection of tile splashbacks adds touches of visual interest and compliments the fun holiday home feel. Black cabinetry, window framing and structural steel introduces a sophistication to elevate the design aesthetic from beachy to a more contemporary coastal cool.
Gaining traction in international interior design is the concept of a parents’ retreat. The parents’ retreat elevates the humble master bedroom in form and function. Almost the entire first floor of the Dingo Beach Holiday House is devoted to the parents’ retreat. This flow-through area contains a tv/lounge, kitchenette, bedroom, robe, private balcony and expansive ensuite. The vanity itself is a feature of form and function with a custom made, cast concrete basin and benchtop. The underlying cabinetry contains storage and an integrated laundry shoot to the lower level. The shower area is generous featuring dual rain-head shower spouts and is unimpeded by screens. Stylish matt black tapware is featured throughout.
Cool and contemporary in form and function this holiday house is the new Dingo Beach chic. Trepidatious beginnings have given way to triumphant conclusions and this build has really been a pleasure project and our privilege to participate in. It is a special place for friends and family to come together – made even more special by the fact that it was the first build the home owners’ son has completed as an apprentice. It will also be our nomination for the 2018 Master Builders Awards!
