Beachside bliss with an urban twist

14 Dec 2020

A showcase of clean lines and sophistication, this stunning Swanbourne property, an urban haven by architect and builder Humphrey Homes, feels like a breath of fresh air.

The cosmopolitan showstopper is a functional three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with two living areas, two outdoor areas, a home office and plenty of storage.

Towering over two levels, this home brings drama and sophistication to the streets of Swanbourne. 

This home combines practicality with drama, largely through the connectivity of the upper and lower floors via a striking 6m-high void.

Culminating in a unique interior terrace, upstairs onlookers can gaze down at the immaculate ground level and outdoors while enjoying a welcome separation reminiscent of a home within a home.

Humphrey Homes Owner and Director Dean Humphrey said the Swanbourne stunner was essentially designed as an apartment with day-to-day living on the ground, but with capacity for extra accommodation and responsiveness over two levels for visitors.

“Every available space has been utilised to maximise its fullest potential – a case in point being the home office nook under the stairs,” he said.

“The aesthetic of this home was inspired by the client’s requirements for a relaxed, open-plan beachside lifestyle with a twist.

“The result is a home that responds to the cosmopolitan vibe of Swanbourne.

“It is very reminiscent of Melbourne’s bayside suburbs, like Brighton.”

Labelled the hub of the home, the kitchen features textural cabinetry and tiling and a cleverly fitted out scullery. 

Very much the hub of the home is the kitchen, boasting a fresh palette, textural cabinetry and tiling, with a window that facilitates welcome cross ventilation to the living room and a cleverly fitted out scullery.

The main bedroom on the lower floor benefits from a courtyard and south-facing windows for cooling afternoon breezes and street privacy.

The lower-floor bathroom is a multi-purpose ensuite and a powder room, while upstairs there is another fully self-contained room with a freestanding bath and fresh green detailing.

The property enjoys two outdoor areas, a front-of-home extension of the internal living space that seamlessly links to the interior with no step or join and a rear courtyard accessible via the master suite.

The beachy-feel throughout the home culminates in the bathroom, with coastal blue tiles and refreshing cabinetry. 

The landscaping on the comfortable 306sqm block is relaxed with a tranquil water feature, stepping stones and lush planting.

Mr Humphrey said the clients – a couple who have undertaken four building journeys with Humphrey Homes over the last 20 years – sold their family home after their adult children left and decided to build a downsizer.

“The clients wanted a beachy, relaxed feel with an element of playfulness,” Mr Humphrey said.

“They didn’t want a traditional beach cottage, they wanted to feel like they were living at the beach everyday but with a more edgy and urban aesthetic.

“It is a home that meets the client brief for appropriate downsizer living with clever architecture shown through appropriate organisation of living and sleeping spaces.”

Also clever are the solar passive design principles used in the home, including a north-facing orientation, photovoltaic panels and big windows that span the entire frontage for a loft-type feel and to maximise sunlight.

Want to know more?  Check out more on this home including the full gallery, see what this client and others are saying on our testimonials page or join the conversation on FacebookInstagram or say hello today.

This story first appeared as a cover story in The West Australian's New Homes liftout on December 12, 2020.