Modern Beach House
Owner Builder
Self-Designed (Kaitlyn & Kayne)
Habitat
Beach House
Herringbone
Just moments from the shoreline, Modern Beach House is a contemporary family home shaped by light, openness and relaxed coastal living. A study in contrast, the design balances crisp white architecture with darker interior moments, bold cabinetry with soft textures, and expansive spaces with the warmth of natural materials.
From the street, its bright white façade immediately sets the tone. Surrounded by other new builds, the decision to keep the exterior clean and minimal was intentional, allowing the home to reflect the coastal light while creating a striking presence within its surroundings.
Inside, a considered palette of timber, stone and textured finishes brings depth to the home’s contemporary design. At the heart of these spaces are our Beach House boards from the Habitat Collection, installed in a herringbone pattern and selected for the warmth and movement they introduce underfoot.
The Vision
The brief for Modern Beach House was clear: to create a light-filled family home with a strong contemporary identity. A space designed not only for everyday living, but for gathering, entertaining and enjoying the relaxed rhythm of life by the coast.
Inspiration came from a mix of inspiring homes discovered through real estate and countless hours spent exploring ideas on Pinterest. Slowly, a mood board began to form, guiding each material and finish selection throughout the build.
Being located close to the beach, the decision to keep the exterior crisp white felt natural. The bright façade reflects the coastal surroundings while allowing darker interior elements to take the lead.
Throughout the home, black cabinetry forms a strong focal point. Paired with Polytec Tempest Woodgrain in a range of profiles, it introduces warmth, texture and depth across the living spaces.
Our Beach House boards became the perfect foundation. Installed in a herringbone pattern, the flooring draws the eye through the wide hallways and enhances the dramatic entry void. The subtle variation in tone works beautifully alongside the darker finishes while balancing the abundance of natural light that fills the home.
The Brief
Modern Beach House came together through a carefully considered palette of materials, each chosen to complement the home’s contemporary architecture while adding warmth, texture and depth throughout the interior.
Stone surfaces in GLUX Amalfi Marble introduce elegance to the kitchen and living areas, while tapware from ABI Interiors adds refined detail throughout the home. Fluted glass doors by Zen Doors & Windows soften transitions between spaces, filtering light while maintaining privacy.
Large Rylock windows frame views to the outside and allow natural light to move through the home from morning to evening. These shifting moments of light highlight the texture of the timber flooring and reinforce the warmth of the interior palette.
The result is a home that feels balanced, contemporary and thoughtfully resolved.
Styling the space
Styling within Modern Beach House was approached with patience and intention.
Rather than furnishing the home immediately, time was spent living in the space and understanding how each room would be used. This allowed furniture selections to evolve naturally over time.
Visits to Church Street in Richmond helped guide the process, with larger pieces chosen first to anchor each room. Artwork and smaller details followed as the home settled into itself.
The result is a home that feels relaxed and personal. Each space has its own character while still sitting comfortably within the broader design language of the home.
The challenges
Like many new builds, Modern Beach House came with its share of challenges. Taking on the project as an owner-builder while running a business and raising three young children required careful planning and a great deal of commitment.
Working alongside Inner Urban Group helped bring structure to the process. Long evenings, weekend planning sessions and countless design decisions were all part of the journey.
Despite the demands, the journey proved incredibly rewarding. Modern Beach House now stands as a reflection of careful planning, thoughtful material choices, and a clear design vision brought to life.
Lessons from the journey
Looking back, one lesson stands out clearly: plan cabinetry early.
Having cabinetry layouts carefully drawn before construction begins can make a significant difference when coordinating services such as plumbing and tapware locations.
More broadly, the experience reinforced the value of trusting your design instincts and surrounding yourself with suppliers who understand the bigger vision.
Working with Kustom Timber
It was a pleasure working with the team behind Modern Beach House, and the experience was equally positive from their side.
‘Kustom Timber was amazing from start to finish. Nothing was too hard. We even changed to a herringbone pattern along the way and adjusted rooms during the build. The installation was seamless.’
Planning your own project? A visit to our Melbourne and Mornington showrooms is the perfect place to begin.
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