, Montfort House is a chance to reset and revel in the beauty of one’s surroundings.
is a hub for secluded beach houses that prioritise a connection to the landscape. Towns like , where this particular project is set, have become humble hideaways for Melbournians looking to escape the city.
Designed by , Montfort House is what director Jon McKimm calls an exercise in rugged luxury; “a true sanctuary that celebrates the superb coastline just beyond,” he says. Collaborating with Melbourne-based interior design studio , who lead the furniture curation, and landscape designer , InForm have realised a place where interiors, architecture and nature fuse together.
Natural-coloured zellige tiles and stone set a calming tone for the kitchen. Pictured are the , and .
To Be at Montfort House…
“To be at Montfort House is to be immersed in nature,” co-director Alicia McKimm says. “It is both a rare opportunity and a powerful experience where the elements that characterise the coast are on full display.” From the time you enter the home, up a dramatic staircase and through a heavy timber door, nature is the focal point. Moving into the open kitchen-dining-living space, the rolling lines of the sand dunes are on full display just as Alicia said. Existing in this space during sunrise and sunset is nothing short of “intoxicating” she adds.
The home functions as a viewing platform from which to observe and appreciate the scenes. In the warmer months, this means opening up the windows and doors and taking them in in their entirety. In the cooler months, this means staying indoors by the fire and watching the winter sun cast shadows onto the dunes.
The living space is designed to emulate the surrounding coastal landscape. Furniture selections by GOLDEN include a sand-coloured rug, a deep grey and a custom timber coffee table designed by .
A pair of deep blue and a matching reference the ocean.
A Sense of Continuity
Indoor spaces reflect outdoor spaces and vice-versa at Montfort House, creating a direct dialogue between the built and the natural. The exterior bagged brick walls are a strong feature within the interiors, while the timber-lined ceilings run from one end of the building to the other, with no concept of segregation. “Dark, earthy tones are incorporated to respond to the natural landscape and complement the exterior,” Alicia says.
Intelligent Planning
Flexibility and intelligent planning are key when working with such an exposed site. Montfort House needed to accommodate both small and large groups of people, given it was to function as an all-year-round holiday home. Additionally, it needed to remain viable throughout each season, and in variable weather conditions. For this reason, outdoor entertaining areas fall on both sides in preparation for what the day might bring.
A picture window at the top of the staircase teases the views that lie ahead.
The bedroom incorporates a mix of greens and neutrals and a warm yellow bed. The , and also feature in this space.
Artwork by Ivana Taylor;
The spectacular view from the kitchen-dining-living space; experiencing the elements in full force.
The post appeared first on .
