Easy BREEZY

AWASH WITH TEXTURE AND AN INSTANTLY FRESH FEEL, THIS NEW BUILD IN SYDNEY IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ONE LUCKY FAMILY OF FIVE

- JESSICA BELLEF

COASTAL CALM

Natural textures imbue this relaxing family retreat with a sense of serenity; the quiet palette and open, airy feel helping to balance the activity of three little ones under the age of eight. “Their energy and all of their stuff can make a room feel full just by them being in it!” says homeowner Rachel (pictured, opposite, with husband Adam and their brood, baby Isla, Jed, and Zali). “The kitchen flows into the living area, where we share meals and relax or play – and this dining table is one piece of furniture I don’t mind getting covered in crayon. The more worn-in it becomes, the more I love it.” For a similar dining table and chair set, try Temple & Webster. The timber decking and detail (opposite) is spotted gum hardwood and the front door painted in Dulux Black is complemented by a ‘Chelsea’ outdoor wall light in weathered bronze from Dunlin.

Feeling connected to your neighbourhood is important for a happy home life – and for Rachel, the affinity she has with the street on Sydney’s Northern Beaches where she was born and raised goes back to her childhood. “I would walk down this street as a teenager and take photos of the houses and would think how beautiful it would be to live there,” she shares.