Victoria & Richard's dream coastal home by the sea

With toddler twins running around a cramped two-bedroom terrace, the time was right for interior designer Victoria and her husband Richard to build their dream family home, close to the beach where Victoria grew up. In 2016, they came across a 1950s home with the right price tag in a prime location.

Victoria and Richard planned to knock down the old house, using the generous backyard to build a bigger single-level home and pool. However, one day they climbed onto the roof and saw the ocean views building up would be captured. The rest is two-storey history.

“This is our forever home, so we made sure the house would grow with us,” says Victoria of the luxury beach house they finished in December 2020.

“With seven-year-old twins, a pool was always on the family’s wishlist,” says Victoria, pictured here in the armchair of Harvey Norman’s Rimini three-piece Outdoor Chat Setting, accompanied by her family. “The wraparound balcony with white timber balustrades and double post details gives the home a character home feel,” remarks Victoria, “while the exposed rafter tails and highlight windows are in keeping with Hamptons style.” The limestone poolside pavers on the pool deck have non-slip properties and feel cool underfoot, even in hot weather. The wall lights are from Emac & Lawton.

Home profile

Meet and greet: Victoria, an interior designer, and her husband Richard, who manages agricultural investments, with their twins Mac and Isla, seven, and Indie the cavoodle.

The property: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom with guest studio, media room and office home by the coast.

“While I love classic Hamptons style, I also wanted to create the sentiment of a character coastal home,” says Victoria. Victoria’s Arteriors Home Adele pendants take centre stage in the entrance, and an antique sideboard offers charm to the classic space. Tim Shaw’s aptly named painting, Morning Swim adds a touch of colour.

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How to achieve the coastal aesthetic, from Hampton’s style to modern luxe

Tim Shaw’s painting Seaspray Landscape anchors the dining zone.

Smart decisions included designing the seven-year-old twins’ bathroom with a double vanity. They also added a large shower to accommodate their needs as adults. The couple loves entertaining, so a generous living area with optimum indoor/outdoor flow got a big tick. And a fully self-contained studio at the front of the house means friends and family are welcome to stay.

Victoria also wanted “lots of light and ‘green’ views from every room”. The interiors are timeless yet bursting with personality.

“I couldn’t find an engineered stone that gave me the same joy,” says Victoria, seen here next to the enormous Super White marble island in her sumptuous kitchen. “I like to be sociable when I’m preparing food, so it’s deep enough for people to sit all the way around,” says the designer. Taking the space from functional to fabulous are white textured subway tiles, Emac & Lawton Gadsden pendants and bespoke cabinetry displaying beloved pieces of handblown glass.

“Next to the kitchen, the laundry is the most important room, and we gave a lot of thought to the design and joinery,” says Victoria, who raised appliances to ergonomic height and designed a hidden, pull-out plinth to stand on and reach the dryer. “We even designed the joinery with pull-out drawers to hide away the dog’s food,” says Victoria, which Indie the cavoodle seems to know.

“I wanted a home that was enduring, with a classic style I won’t tire of,” says Victoria. “Loving coastal Hamptons style and having a passion for tropical heritage homes, so this house is really a combination of both.”

As she watches the children play in the pool or enjoys a coffee in her dream kitchen, what is she most proud of?

“The fact that my husband and I have built this beautiful home for our family and for our friends to enjoy over the coming years. It was a long process, but when we look at it and all we’ve achieved, we are so thrilled. We wouldn’t change a thing.”

Inside story

Favourite design idea? The playroom, which connects to the living area, has a half glass bar door, so the children have their own space, but I can keep an eye on them.

Top interior style tip? Clearly define your design style before you start. Prepare mood boards so you are clear on the style you would like to achieve.

Weekend ritual? I love to cook and entertain friends, and, on a Sunday, you’ll often find me pottering around the garden.