With its white palette, open-plan spaces and materials inspired by the ocean, this new home is a beautiful reflection of the family who live here and the perfect backdrop for a colourful ’70s-style Christmas
Meet & Greet
Rhiannon Swan (wedding and events planner), her husband Cameron Swan (managing director of a commercial innovation company), and their daughters Willow, 10, London, six, and Harriet, four.
The Property
Modern interpretation of a dream beach house.
Every now and then, one house can lend itself effortlessly to several interiors looks. One such place is the family home of Rhiannon Swan, her husband Cameron and their three daughters. This home is an interpretation of the dream beach house, and it’s a fitting reflection of Rhiannon’s contemporary coastal style.
A family affair
Aesthetics aside, what makes the design of this home feel so natural and intuitive is the team behind it – the architect is Rhiannon’s sister-in-law Brianna and their builder Keegan Mitchell is Brianna’s brother.
“It is a very special thing to be able to build your own home and have your sister-in-law design it,” Rhiannon says. “We’re lucky we had people we know and trust throughout the build. Everything was special, from the day the original house was knocked down to the day we moved in. Our third daughter was born during this time.”
The brief began with a few photos of houses that resonated with the couple. “When Brianna sent the first mock up, we didn’t want to change a thing.”
A cool change
From the beginning, Rhiannon loved the idea of a modern beach house. “We really wanted the front to look original and the back to be modern and functional,” she says of the 1950s-style front facade.
Open-plan living spaces and high ceilings breathe fresh air and instill a sense of flow throughout, as does the white palette. “We chose mostly white because then you can change your interiors and add or take away colour at any time,” she explains. Some materials were chosen primarily for their practicality, such as the concrete flooring in the living area, and is low-maintenance and family-friendly. Texture was also essential – Rhiannon says the shutter-front kitchen cupboards and robe doors in the main bedroom “were a must”.
Local environment
Not only does this home nod to the couple’s creative family ties, it’s a reflection of their surrounds. For example, Rhiannon first saw the bathroom wall tiles on her favourite walk along the coast near her home.
“The public bathrooms along the coastal walk had just been rebuilt. I loved the tiles so much I called the council and they told me where they sourced them.”
Similarly, she discovered the floor tiles on Instagram and called all the local tile shops until she found the supplier.
“We’re quick decision makers and know what we like. If we loved it, we went for it and hoped for the best.”
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