Sitting a quarter-acre corner block in the coveted ‘Golden Grid’ of Byron Bay’s CBD, Samudra House draws inspiration from its natural surroundings and the laidback culture of the area. Every nook and cranny of the house is designed with a strong emphasis on light and flow, accented by neutral earthy colour schemes.
“Samudra is a holiday house and is inspired by the pristine oceans of Byron’s coastline. With hints of the Mediterranean, the home welcomes visitors with its layers of white textured, rendered surfaces and the warmth of timber,” says Melissa Bonney, director of The Designory. “This property sits on the corner of the allotment under a majestic gum tree – it’s absolute heaven. The oversized bespoke timber windows capture its beauty and draw in the northern sun and spectacular amber sunsets.”
It’s one of three stunning homes, collectively known as The Vela Properties, The Designory’s latest project. “Although each house has a different style, there’s flow throughout all three. Along with four expansive bedrooms, the homes feature interactive outdoor living spaces designed for entertaining. There are several open plan zones and breakout spaces as well as perfectly oriented, north-facing alfresco areas with heated pools, covered dining and sitting spots, and BBQ spaces – all designed to be enjoyed year-round,” Melissa adds.
With a focus on natural materials, the exterior of Samudra is wrapped in natural timber panelling, and a brushwood fence blends well with the environment. Impressive gable glass windows create a contemporary coastal look, whilst the big gum tree creates a focal point.
A key feature are the beautiful curves throughout. Curves play a vital role in the biophilic design trend, which aims to integrate nature into our built environment and provide a sense of drama by adding the illusion of depth and softness to a space. To create some incredible and unique key features throughout the home, the team used CSR Gyprock Flexible, which is designed to bend for small radius curves.
A testament to the power of curves in design is the lower level of the home. Designed with the soft curl of the ocean waves in mind, the kitchen flows seamlessly from the open plan entrance, living, and dining room. Bathed in natural light and warm tones, the space is surrounded by the garden and entertaining deck. Above the dining room sits an incredible curved feature void that frames the space. “This formed flow between spaces and allowed the formation of a gallery area which overlooks the breathtaking gum tree,” said Melissa.
Throughout the home, soft terracotta hues and walnut details create a layer of warmth to the otherwise harsh white interior. This is notably visible in the living room, where a mix of materials such as rattan, timber, leather couch, and a textured rug form an inviting and comfortable area for family and friends to gather.
At the entry, a textured timber staircase leads upstairs, where visitors’ gazes are drawn to the custom round skylight above, one of Melissa’s favourite details, where the great gum tree leaves hanging overhead are visible. In the upper level, the curved walls work to guide you around the space, whilst the soft curves of the void handrails create a small study area.
“Seeing it all come to life has been the most satisfying aspect of the process. The houses are so similar in some ways, but each has its own very distinct and unique identity. Like best friends with complimenting personalities – there’s a beautiful synergy and energy collectively and independently,” said Melissa.
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