My Houzz: Boho-Beach Style in a Dreamy Home on Australia’s Coast
This 2-story house in Sydney features bright, beachy interiors perfect for its location
This revamped two-story house in Sydney is home to Kylie Hinds, creator of the online jewelry boutique Not Heidi, and her husband and three children. The couple moved from a busy and noisy semidetached home to this older house along the coast 10 years ago. After living in the house for seven years, they had a pretty good idea of what they wanted from the space and how to alter it to suit their family, so they began what was essentially a teardown and rebuild.
The initial challenge was how to mix the traditional architecture of the area with a modern twist, in keeping with surrounding developments. The couple decided on a sleek, modern frontage, blending that into a softer and more traditional wood cottage look at the back of the house, creating an aesthetic that’s bright, fresh and beachy, just like the location.
The initial challenge was how to mix the traditional architecture of the area with a modern twist, in keeping with surrounding developments. The couple decided on a sleek, modern frontage, blending that into a softer and more traditional wood cottage look at the back of the house, creating an aesthetic that’s bright, fresh and beachy, just like the location.
When the family first moved in, the house had been stripped of its former glory by a number of alterations in the 1970s. Needless to say, it wasn’t love at first sight. However, the property was quiet and had beautiful views of the waterfront, which were selling points enough.
When considering how to reconstruct the house, Hinds decided the best approach was to go slow — to live in the space while getting to know the light and how best to use the layout.
When considering how to reconstruct the house, Hinds decided the best approach was to go slow — to live in the space while getting to know the light and how best to use the layout.
The family has been living in the rebuilt home for three years now, but Hinds feels the house is still developing its character.
This light-filled living area is an ideal entertainment space for friends and family. The family has one television in the house, in the sitting room off the kitchen, but enjoys spending time together here playing board games.
This light-filled living area is an ideal entertainment space for friends and family. The family has one television in the house, in the sitting room off the kitchen, but enjoys spending time together here playing board games.
Hinds says she’s never stuck to one decorating style; the home is a mix of beach house and tropical island style, with boho, Indian, Moroccan and Turkish influences thrown in.
A 1950s Acapulco chair sits next to tribal pieces in this second living area, to the side of the entrance. The tribal headpiece above the fireplace was an eBay find and made its way from Africa to France before ending up in Australia. Hinds is always on the lookout for new pieces in local stores and online.
A 1950s Acapulco chair sits next to tribal pieces in this second living area, to the side of the entrance. The tribal headpiece above the fireplace was an eBay find and made its way from Africa to France before ending up in Australia. Hinds is always on the lookout for new pieces in local stores and online.
After one of Hinds’ first trips to India, when she was prevented from bringing home some wood items and had to leave them at the airport, she started getting the majority of her wood furniture from shops in Australia. The house is now full of natural materials and mostly neutral spaces, a look that suits the coastal feel Hinds was going for.
From the front of the house, the main living areas flow through to the back, along with abundant light from the north-facing facade.
The simplicity of the light fixtures above the kitchen counter add interest while allowing a feeling of openness between the kitchen and dining area.
Hinds’ favorite area in the house is the dining room. After having to squeeze around a small table for many years in her old house, she loves being able to spread out for family meals in this dedicated space.
The custom dining table was sourced from MCM House and the Acapulco chairs were a find in Byron Bay. Large sliding windows above the bench seat blur the lines between indoors and out and allow the family to have the feel of dining alfresco whenever the weather allows.
A transition area between the kitchen and living area holds a comfortable and sunlit home office, with a simple wood shelf serving as a desk.
Hinds’ office area is simple yet practical. The large rattan chair adds an element of laid-back comfort, making the work of running her online store and the household that much more enjoyable.
Hinds, a lover of all things coastal, couldn’t live without her shells and collects them from the beach regularly. Her husband once joked that if there were any more shells in the house, he’d have to walk around with a snorkel.
This kilim rug from Kaya Kilims brightens up a small living area and is another of Hinds’ favorite items. She says her brain gets fired up by the colors whenever she walks around the predominantly white house.
Having grown up in a family of garden lovers, Hinds knew that being able to see the yard from the back of the house was crucial to the rebuild. This thatched cabana and the small garden surrounding it actually sit level with the top floor of the house. It serves as a relaxed space for the family, with plenty of shade even at the height of summer.
The back of the house retains the feel of the original cottage, with big doors that lead from this upstairs bedroom to a small garden, allowing the couple’s older daughter, Jasmine, to enjoy fresh air and natural light in a private retreat.
Inside, Jasmine’s bedroom carries on the beach vibe with laid-back decor. A mix of Moroccan-style pieces and tropical plants injects the modern room with character.
Jasmine’s and Holly’s bedrooms both reflect their mother’s influence, with oversize plants and beautiful natural textures.
This bathroom sits between the kids’ bedrooms and serves as the guest bathroom for visitors. The difficult terrain around the building site meant the stone bathtub had to be brought in with a crane. Unfortunately it cracked during the process, but that just adds to its character (and makes for a good story).
The master bedroom, also upstairs but at the front of the house, is a mix of all elements that are dear to Hinds: plants, tribal touches and beach accessories. Her best design advice is to buy things you love. “It should all work in the end,” she says.
The master bathroom is all about lifting the clean white palette with exotic pieces, in keeping with the rest of the house.
Outside the master suite, in an open bathing space, a second free-standing tub overlooks the ocean. A butterfly chair and sheepskin add warmth to the interior space, which Hinds says is still a work in progress.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Kylie Hinds, husband Paul, daughters Jasmine and Holly, son Pablo and Diego the dog
Where: Sydney
Size: Four bedrooms and three bathrooms