The owner of this home in Warriewood on Sydney's Northern Beaches wanted to take advantage of the great views of the ocean, without feeling like she lives in a fishbowl. Rather than go the typical route of creating essentially a glass box on stilts, designer Viewthru created Driftwood, a home that feels intimate and private while still making the most of those stunning views...
The original house on the site could not be retained
Driftwood started out as a renovation project, but it quickly became clear that it wouldn't be possible to retain the existing house. Instead, this gave the owner the chance to envision exactly how she would like to live and what her home should look and feel like. The qualities that came to mind were a sense of privacy without sacrificing the views, a home that felt intimate while still having space for her daughters to feel comfortable when they visited and a place that allowed for a relaxed lifestyle.
One of the challenges of the home was there were actually views in two directions. Towards the street, the home overlooks the ocean, but towards the rear of the property, there are picturesque views over the neighbourhood. Key to the success of the project would be capturing both views without feeling like the home was completely transparent and exposed. This was achieved by tucking the home under a steep pitched roof and carving out sheltered deck spaces which provides the opportunity for large sliding glass doors opening up to the outdoors while providing privacy from the street.
The other challenge was the tricky slope of the site, across the block diagonally. This made it the perfect candidate for a split-level design. The split level means all of the key living areas have their own unique identity and outlook, while still being connected to the main space, giving the home that sense of intimacy without feeling compressed. Thanks to the split level design and nestling spaces under the roofline, the home fits three bedrooms plus a flexible study space without looking imposing to the street.
The timber cladding will eventually grey off and provide a texture-rich face to home, just like its name-sake Driftwood, while the standing seam COLORBOND® Steel roof forms a protective shell for living.
With the help of Christina Prescott Designs, the interiors of Driftwood achieve the laidback, beachy vibe the owner was looking for. Light-toned timbers are paired with white walls and ceilings and a neural-toned tile fills the full height of the kitchen wall and can be seen throughout the living spaces, creating a striking feature.
Proving that to celebrate the views doesn't mean you have to live in a fishbowl, this intimate and charming home has both the prospect and retreat needed for comfortable living. It's the perfect place for the owner to enjoy the awesomeness of the sea without copping third-degree windburn.
