Memories of summers at their beach shack combined with a permanent move for their retirement resulted in this couple building Sarah Homes' relaxed Hayborough 180 design
Fond memories of many summers spent at their old Carrickalinga beach shack made the decision to knock down and rebuild all the more difficult for couple Jane Dinnison and Richard Mitchell. But wanting to retire to the Fleurieu Peninsula permanently - and realising the shack was far too small to live in full-time - the couple had little choice.
"We loved that old beach house but it was forty years old and was just a little shack. We knew it just wasn't big enough ," Jane says. "We used to spend all of January there, as well as a couple of weekends a month for the rest of the year, and we really didn't want to lose that shack feeling. We wanted (the new build) to have a sense of the old beach house to it."
After demolishing the shack , the couple decided to rebuild with Sarah Homes because of the company's strong reputation in the area. Having visited several of the builder 's displays, Jane and Richard chose the Hayborough 180 design to become their new home. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom single storey design features an open plan kitchen dining living area, separate study and an outdoor deck that makes the most of the coastal setting.
Committed to ensuring the new build replicated the features they loved most about the old beach house, Jane and Richard decided to extend the deck even further and add wide decking steps that double as seating to enjoy an outdoor drink. They also increased the size of the bedrooms and living areas, and while there are 2.7m ceilings throughout they elected for a raked ceiling to add extra height over the lounge area.
In the kitchen, Jane and Richard opted for a sleek white space with white cabinetry, white splashback tiles and a white benchtop, and an island with waterfall ends and seating for up to four people. Opting for crisp white walls and warm timber flooring throughout, Jane has added textural materials and furnishings such as rattan, natural fibre rugs, combined with navy and white, coastal print and leafy indoor plants for a relaxed beach home that is lived in and well-loved.
Treasured pieces, timber details sit with modern artworks and elegant furniture. Jane says the building process was "unbelievably simple" and took just three months to complete. Having now been in the home for more than two years, the pair love the finished result. Furniture from the old beach shack has fitted seamlessly into their new abode, with artworks from the Adelaide home they lived in before retirement adding a final flourish.
While the home feels cosy for just the two of them, Jane says it's also perfect for entertaining family and friends, and they comfortably hosted 80 guests for a birthday party earlier this year. Importantly, it has retained the memories of the old beach shack while providing the extra room required of a forever home. "It's still got that lovely relaxed beach feel but it's so much easier to live in," Jane says. "It's a lovely little Sarah Homes' home and we feel very lucky to be living the lifestyle down here."
Features you'll love
- Relaxed beach feel: By adding a larger deck and wider stairs, there's even more relaxation space and a variety of places to sit and unwind while taking in the view.
- Coastal interior: Navy, white, timber features and rattan furniture combine to create an alluring coastal feel.
- Sleek built-in: The ensuite's vanity in a timber finish offers excellent storage while staying in keeping with the laidback beach style.
13-Sep-2020 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine
