Embarking on the journey to create your dream holiday home is an exciting adventure, and when executed skilfully a winning formula promises relaxation, comfort and unforgettable moments.
Whether it’s all year-round vacation vibes you’re looking to create in your home or to maximise the benefits of a ‘home away from home’, a few simple design tricks can help you on your way.
The key to creating a getaway sanctuary is all in the styling and choice of materials required to get the look while ensuring a harmonious flow, according to The Designory director Melissa Bonney.
“As a designer, creating a feeling when you walk into a home is the epitome of success. Designing with every amenity and detail in mind is the key to success in creating the ultimate getaway,” she says.
Blending with Nature
Taking cues from your surroundings and focusing on natural materials that work within the landscape can help create a harmonious vibe from the outset. Materials such as natural timber panelling and brushwood fencing can blend well in any environment.
The home is instantly welcoming with layers of white, textured and rendered surfaces and the warmth of timber, captured beautifully through its oversized windows.
“Samudra House, situated in Byron Bay, is inspired by the pristine oceans of the surrounding coastline, the perfect background for crafting a dream holiday home,” Melissa says.
“Large, well-designed windows can not only fill your spaces with natural light but can also enhance the overall experience of your holiday home.”
To gently diffuse the light when needed and to bring a relaxed mood to the room, Melissa recommends dressing with a sheer Luxaflex S-Wave Curtain, a finish that will add “softness, movement and texture”.
Creating flow
An important aspect of a holiday home is flow. Samudra House features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two living areas and a lushly landscaped outdoor entertaining area. To be successful, Melissa says that considering how guests move around and interact was a critical part of the design.
The house has a strong focus on light and flow throughout each of its sizeable rooms, which are connected via neutral, earthy colour schemes and soft sheer Luxaflex window treatments in the communal areas.
Curves have been used as a stunning design element and to assist in uniting the interiors further, elevating the holiday home's aesthetic with drama and softness.
“Curves add depth and contrast to a home. In designing the organic-shaped ceiling in the main living rooms, we created a very modern feeling, but at the same time its warm, welcoming and visually appealing. To create flow through the home, we’ve continued with kitchen curves, furnishings and light fittings,” Melissa explains.
A peaceful getaway
Privacy and a good night's sleep are paramount in a holiday home, and a key contributor towards achieving this is by selecting the right window treatment.
Blockout blinds and curtains are often a perfect solution and can transcend a design, framing a window while adding warmth and softness, depending on the desired aesthetic. If curtains are the better option aesthetically, look for one that delivers both style and substance, such as a Luxaflex Blockout Curtain, which adds a visual element of textural depth and dimension as well as all-important light control.
Room temperature is also an important consideration for a blissful night’s sleep, and Luxaflex Duette Shades can not only block out the light but, due to the unique honeycomb design features, help to regulate a room’s temperature.
“In each guest bedroom, Duette Shades e from the Bamboo range in blockout was incorporated,” Melissa says.
“The additional functionality of light and noise control, insulation and privacy needs helped to create a more peaceful and comfortable atmosphere.”
Invest in motorisation for effortless living
Luxury and convenience are another critical touch towards creating an ideal holiday home vibe. The convenience and sophistication of motorised window treatments elevate the luxury of your holiday home, providing effortless control over light and privacy with style.
The biggest benefit of smart window coverings is the ease they make day-to-day life, according to Melissa, streamlined, high-performance, motorised curtains help to retain visual access to the exterior's timber accents while adding a certain “je ne sais quoi” of their own.
Colourful Ambience and Material Harmony
Paying attention to colour schemes and materials is key to making your holiday home a welcoming haven for family and friends. Soft terracotta hues and walnut details in Samudra House add warmth to its white interiors.
“How a house makes you feel is important when designing a home. I chose materials that had a natural and understated finish, you’ll notice there is a mix of timbers, and concrete with a neutral palette. I wanted the home to have a feeling of space and a sense of calm. My styling is a fusion of organic, minimalist, classical style,” Melissa says.
