Relaxed meets rustic by the sea

Designed by Sophia Cole, Yellowfox Tauranga

From the designer:

The setting

Perched atop of the Pukehina sand dunes in the coastal Bay of Plenty, this house is a combination of relaxed modernity and rustic touches.

We were given the task of translating our owner's enthusiasm for a laid-back beach lifestyle into the very fabric of the home. 

Wider design brief

The design brief was clear: to create a rustic-modern beach house that was both relaxed and tranquil, whilst still retaining a homely feel.

The interior design of the house draws heavily from the natural landscape and palette. 

For the kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces, we chose lighter sandy tones, reflecting the beach just steps away. 

The kitchen – reflecting the beach

The kitchen and scullery feature Dekton, Nilium benching, setting the stage for the kitchen to become the focal point of this beachside retreat. 

Nilium's light tone and subtle warm flecks, reminiscent of a rusted boat hull, seamlessly fit the beach house's laid-back vibe. 

We also chose our off-white favourite Bestwood Limestone melamine for all of the base cabinetry, and accented this with Bestwood Simply Eucalyptus to frame the design, and complement the warm timber in the flooring. 

For the kitchen to be used as efficiently as possible, we specified Hettich soft-close drawer runners and hinges, paired with a Blum HK Aventos lift system for the overhead cupboards. 

Rustic touches

Lastly, rustic glazed off-white tiles are featured in the splashbacks of both kitchen & scullery spaces to complement the design.

Our owner was a dream to work with, and responded positively to our design suggestions at every step of the way. 

The only challenge to overcome was that he wanted a standalone fridge on the back wall which meant we had to increase the depth, as we otherwise would have suggested an integrated fridge to blend in a bit more seamlessly.

Panoramic views of the sea and Whakaari / White Island add to the aesthetic, in the home co-created by JMAC Architecture and DC Builders.

Story by: Trendsideas