California by the sea

Antique blue-and-white tiles and a burbling fountain in a sunny courtyard set the scene for this seaside home with a Spanish Colonial in spirit. A neutral palette and natural materials ideally suit the beach house

The front gate to the Spanish Colonial style

The classically styled kitchen. - California by the

Even burnt toast would taste good in this

A pendant and prominent artwork both draw further

Master and commander – the master bedroom has

This guest bedroom is in sight and scent

A timber ceiling features in this guest bedroom.

The master bathroom includes a freestanding slipper bath.

Interiors by Chris Barrett Design

From the designer:

Approachable and liveable, this home is set on a picturesque stretch of California coastline.

Complementary to the architecture, it also plays to the ocean.

The home has a neutral palette and natural materials, perfectly fitting to a beach house.

The architect excavated the basement for an underground garage with a car elevator, resulting in a home that appears to be two storeys from the street when it’s actually three.

The house doesn’t loom over the street or the beach; it is organised into the tricky available site

Entered through an antique gate, the courtyard is complete with antique blue-and-white tile and a burbling fountain. The house is Spanish Colonial in spirit.

Designer Chris Barrett carried earthy, mostly neutral hues throughout the home, creating a sense of continuity across the open floor plan.

To enrich the palette, she incorporated texture and subtle pattern, choosing a jute rug in a chevron design for the living area and an understated stripe on the sofa in the same space.

Touches of blue crop up too, making for calming grace notes and a fitting nod to the seaside locale.