The next best thing to hitting the beach overseas is having your own permanent holiday home you can escape to over and over again, like Sarah Homes' impressive two-storey Whiteley 180 design
Like many people, the summer holidays are a prime motivator for wanting a weekender or shack, and like clockwork, each year we go and visit a new displays as we dream about having a permanent holiday retreat to escape to every other weekend. One year we will make it happen, that I can be sure of. And when you do have a holiday house you will want, and need space for it to accommodate to extended family, so that means multiple living spaces. Preferably a leisurely balcony deck where you can sit back and relax and admire the view, one slow moment at a time ... or just take a nap on a sun lounger.
However, finding the right coastal, or country, block in your chosen area is bound to be a priority as location is everything when holidaying. The design will have to fit around that and any views you may have. It sounds like an easy choice, but finding a design that caters to your views and has everything just where you need it to be, can narrow the options.
That's where a design such as Sarah Homes' Whiteley 180 Two-Storey comes in. The layout of this new double storey holiday home is cleverly positioned to take in three aspects, forward facing, to one side and to the rear, making it a good option for many blocks. Sarah Homes' marketing manager Jaye Smith says the Whiteley 180 Two-Storey design is perfect for a corner block with four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, two living areas and a huge balcony, as shown in the display at Mile End.
"Despite it's spacious feel, it has a small footprint, so can be accommodated on a 12m wide block, depending on the size of deck you wish to include," she says. "The Whiteley Two-Storey 180 can accommodate two families with ease, so it's a great choice for a holiday home. "The design allows for a relaxed lounge area downstairs, with the main living and entertaining areas elevated upstairs. "All bedrooms suit either a queen size bed or bunks for the kids, and the main downstairs bathroom is segmented, allowing several people to move through the space at the same time, perfect for cleaning up when you get back from the beach."
It's all very coastal too, clad in a mix of beachy off-white Hebel and corrugate (NextStar), dark charcoal weatherboard (Sycon Linea in Dulux's Domino), with a curved pitch roofline, 2.7m ceilings inside and a wraparound deck that connects two extended balconies. Of course, the deck will be customised to what your block needs, but the display gives you a good idea of how they can work around this holiday home. Inside the relaxed coastal feel continues in white and soft greys on walls, with accents of black and rich blues.
On our first look, this four-bedroom design makes a good first impression and that's in part due to the contemporary vibe as well as a tonne of glazing. Even the glass entry door and timber porch make you feel like you're stepping into holiday mode as you walk in. But this design has conventional inclusions too, such as a formal entry hall elegantly finished, a well-sized laundry, ultra modern bathrooms and a rumpus lounge downstairs that links the three minor bedrooms on the ground level. Each is stylishly dressed in bright tones and are good sizes, well painted, some with space-saving cavity doors and some with louvre windows that remind you this design will be highly functional for coastal settings, allowing for breezy days to give it good cross ventilation and natural airconditioning.
"The external articulation allows for flexibility in how the home is oriented on the block, looking its best from all angles," Jaye says. A set of wide, semi-commercial sliding doors with white frames to the rumpus is an attractive addition that streams in the sunlight and allows for super-easy access to the yard, and make the space feel far larger than it probably is. Square porthole windows on either side are a beachy touch while on the upper level you'll find louvre windows and more huge sliding doors seamlessly opening to the balcony zones.
"The Whiteley 180 is designed to capture 180- degree views along the coastline," Jaye says. "It has three sides that all integrate with large sliding doors and balconies to take in the views, and it has flexibility in its orientation on your block to capture views from different aspects throughout the home." Head upstairs and you'll find the kitchen is just as polished and packed with storage as you'll find in any main residence, in fact, the island bench is 1.2m wide and extra long. Cleverly, the double sink is inset in the island so the cook won't need to miss out on conversations, and there's heaps of space for stools to sit at for casual meals.
There's also a dining zone adjacent the front facing balcony in case you want to eat dinner as you watch the sun set. The lounge is further back, so the television doesn't impact your view, but it links to the side balcony and creates an extended zone you can open up when entertaining. A bench seat on this balcony is a smart inclusion that saves on space and the high screen means you won't have to look straight at neighbours while you're having afternoon drinks on the deck - and it protects for from the wind and sun.
"The zones in this home are all sized proportionally to handle a large family or host friends for a meal - or for a few days," Jaye says. "The kitchen/dining space in the Whiteley 180 Two-Storey is an entertainer's delight. The oversized 1.2m deep Essastone island bench is perfect for both prepping food and serving. "With the kitchen flowing directly outside to the teppanyaki grill barbecue and outdoor kitchen (reinforced with materials designed to withstand the elements), the two cooking zones are directly connected."
There's a relaxed air as we wander around, which I put down to the timber decking. The master bedroom, its ensuite and wardrobe, take up the remainder of the upper level and this is treated to its own private balcony, a coveted feature that is as resort-like as it comes. The spacious shower and large rainwater shower rose is another delightful find and adds to the holiday vibe. I think we better start working on finding the perfect block for this home.
17-Jan-2021 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine
For more information about the house in this story please look at the Whiteley 180.
