FAMILY RESEMBLANCE

SOAK UP THE VIEW The kitchen was designed to have a great visual connection with other areas within the home. “I can be in the kitchen preparing food while watching the kids in the pool or through to their bedrooms and play area, ” says homeowner Sally McGarry.

F A M I L Y R E S E M B L A N C E

An architecturally significant post-war home was the design inspiration and sentimental impetus behind this coastal abode

KITCHEN COMPONENTS The couple went for a mix of textured materials including hardwood cabinetry, brushed brass Lo & Co door handles, brass and rattan pendants and Caesarstone Airy concrete for the benchtops and splashback. “There’s lots of storage to maintain our minimalistic aesthetic and hide the mess, ” Sally says. TABLE TALK The family of five enjoy casual meals at the Sarah Ellison Earth table, which has a linen ball pendant from The Society Inc hanging overhead (opposite). Among the sculptural ceramics on the table are pieces from Kas Australia, Nikau Store and Softedge Studio.

Meet & greet Sally (town planner and project manager) and Matt McGarry (electrician and solar power installation company director), Jasper, 11, Duke, nine, Sonny, five, and samoyed retriever cross Shelby.

The options are endless when you build from scratch, but Sally McGarry had a very specific home in mind when she and husband Matt built this sprawling pavilion in a coastal hinterland. “Our main intention was to capture the essence of my grandparents’ home, the Fenner House, a mid-century home commissioned by my grandfather, Frank Fenner, ” Sally says. “As a child, I spent most afternoons there, climbing trees, picking fruit and making cubby houses in the shrubs and wisteria. The extensive use of glass, the connection to the garden and different functional zones were all memorable features to me, and we wanted to carry them through to the design of our house. ”

The couple worked with good friends, architects Kirrili Zimmer and Teneil Van Dyck, to form the initial concept before inviting a local firm to collaborate on the final design. Like her grandparents’ house, this home, named Las Palmas, is divided into two wings – one for entertaining and the other for sleeping – each orientated to take full advantage of the site’s natural light, cool breezes and rolling views. “It features the same elongated roofline, large expanse of glazing, modernist lines and passive orientation as the Fenner House, ” Sally tells. However, as the homes were built 68 years apart, there are some obvious differences – namely, the roof- and ground-mounted solar energy systems installed by Matt’s solar installation company and an infinity edge swimming pool nestled into the hillside.

“It reflects the contrasting locations and lifestyles led by our family today and my grandparents in the past, ” she says.

Sally went for a minimalist aesthetic so as not to detract from the clean lines of the mid-century architecture and the surrounding landscape, with the addition of different textures and vintage pieces for warmth and interest. The burnished concrete flooring throughout was chosen for its slightly patchy appearance, which feels amazing underfoot, while hardwood timber cladding in the kitchen contrasts the concrete benchtops and brushed brass hardware. Lighting is deliberately kept simple: “We wanted to see the ‘ effect’ of the light without seeing the light itself, ” Sally says.

The result is a laid-back home with an intimate connection to the land and the perfect blend of indoor-outdoor living. “Dinners are eaten outside taking in the views, the pool is used year round and outdoor movie nights are a regular occurrence, ” Sally tells. “When we come home, we feel relaxed – like the weight of the world has been lifted. ”

“The open space, the hinterland view and the sunset orientation – we knew this was the one the moment we arrived. ”

SALLY MCGARRY

LAP OF HONOUR An infinity swimming pool surrounded by Fibonacci Stone pavers connects the entertaining wing to the rolling hills and blue skies beyond. “Most days start (and end) with a dive into the pool, ” Sally says.

KEEP IT COOL Concrete floors and natural cross ventilation keep the dual-aspect living space cool in summer, while the centrally located fireplace keeps it toasty come winter. All internal walls are painted in Dulux Natural White. NATURAL STYLE Sally, pictured opposite, has filled her home with a mix of second-hand and new pieces, including a Tigmi Trading rug, a modular sofa from HK Living and a Sarah Ellison coffee table.

How to create a passive energy home

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Give careful consideration to the layout and orientation of your home to take best advantage of natural sunlight and cross ventilation.

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Concrete flooring has a high thermal mass, drawing in heat from the sun during winter and storing it into the evening, and vice versa in summer.

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Use textiles to help control the interior temperature. Curtains and shutters block out the heat and cold, while rugs will take the chill out of concrete floors.

BEACH READ (from left) Travel tomes add a touch of summery style to the Sarah Ellison coffee table. SET IN STONE A timber bookcase is built into the stone-clad wall, which “was our nod to mid-century architecture, ” Sally says. PEACHY KEEN Brushed brass tapware and earthy ceramics pop against the terracotta tones in this bathroom. The arched mirror is from a local homewares store, the plate is from Marr-kett, and the bottle is from Nikau Store. SUNSET HUES A rug and tables from Tigmi Trading create an intimate zone within the open-plan space. The urn is from Softedge Studio.

NATURE CALLS A textural, neutral palette of finger tiles in the bathroom ties in with the rest of the home and the verdant view from the large window. FINE FIXTURES Brushed brass details feature throughout the home and are a nod to the ’70s. The ceramic object is from Nikau Store and toiletries from Mecca. VANITY FAIR All of the bathroom vanities are bespoke and were made by a local company. The ceramic vase and candles on the bench are from Nikau Store.

PRIVATE RETREAT “My bedroom is my sanctuary, ” Sally tells. “I love lying in bed taking in the view. It’s the perfect spot to watch a storm roll in; I find it hard to draw the curtains. ” The bedhead was bought locally, as was the peach-coloured bed cover, and the side table is from Tigmi Trading. The ceramic vessel is from Nikau Store and the Byredo fragrance is from Mecca. BRIGHT WASH With three young boys in this household the laundry gets a good workout, and Sally’s is equipped with a functional layout and lots of bench space. The Caesarstone concrete and Lo & Co door handles continue here, with a brushed brass sink and tapware for added impact. A mirror from Marr-kett and Dior hand soap adorn the laundry benchtop. STAY A WHILE “Being a little out of town, we had a bunk room constructed, making it easier to accommodate extra friends after evenings of entertaining, ” Sally says of the fun bedroom. The throws and print on the bottom shelf are from Nikau Store, the pink cushion is from Tigmi Trading and the bag is from Marr-kett.

Tip While most toys are best stored in a chest or basket, a wall shelf is a great place for kids to show-off their prized possessions.

Mid-century modern is given a relaxed, coastal feel with rattan, neutral tones and sumptuous textures

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1 Holiday book by Pamela Fiori, $195, from Boheme Home. 2 Flokati rug, $349, from Flux Boutique. 3 Orbit Lighting lantern, $12.06, from Mitre 10. 4 Malta rattan chair, $399, from Nood. 5 M&Co Wright vase, $19.99 (large), from Farmers. 6 Linen duvet cover, $195 (queen), from Bed Threads. 7 Juniper arch mirror, $89.95, from Mocka. 8 Terrace Lounger chair, $999, from Nood. 9 Celine basin, $461.90, from Abi Interiors. 10 Rattan and oak dining chair, $410, from Coastal Style.