I’m excited to share The Beach House, a recent project featured in this month’s issue of House & Garden. Designed by Simone Matthews of SOUL Home and styled by me, it’s a Gerringong holiday home created to feel calm, welcoming and distinctly removed from everyday life.
From the outset, Simone designed the home with the realities of holiday living in mind, guests coming and going, sandy feet, long lunches that roll into dinner, and that unmistakable feeling of exhaling the moment you arrive. My role was to build on that foundation through ceramics, sculptural lighting and objects that bring warmth and personality without ever feeling precious.
Here are five practical ideas drawn from the project to inspire your own holiday home, whether it’s a place for family weekends or a property designed to be shared with guests.
1. LET THE HOLIDAY BEGIN AT THE FRONT DOOR
The holiday feeling should begin the moment you walk through the front door.
An entry space doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it should help guests mentally leave everyday life behind. Simple gestures, generous proportions, good light and thoughtful materials all contribute to a sense of arrival and ease.
And then there are the practical details. Wall hooks are a holiday-home essential. Hats, bags, beach towels and keys all need somewhere to land, and hooks make that happen quickly and intuitively.
In the Gerringong home, Simone wanted to “create a sense of exhaling as soon as you walk through the door.” That intention is felt immediately, through the hotel-style arrival and expansive hallway that sets a calm, breezy tone for the rest of the house.
2. CHOOSE MATERIALS THAT WILL LAST
A holiday house shouldn't be delicate or fragile. It should feel easy, relaxed and ready to be enjoyed.
When selecting finishes and materials, durability should always come first. If something looks like it will stain easily, scratch or require constant care, it’s worth reconsidering. Focus instead on comfort, longevity and materials that can genuinely handle wear and tear.
Low-VOC, highly durable paints, timber, aluminium cladding and powder-coated, corrosion-resistant hardware are all sensible choices for coastal or high-use homes. It’s also wise to steer clear of porous natural stones like marble, as well as all-white upholstered furniture, which can be difficult to maintain between guests.
In this home, Simone opted for a striking pink Patagonia quartzite on the kitchen island and benchtops. It creates immediate impact when you enter the space, but it’s also heat- and stain-resistant, allowing the home to feel special without asking guests to be careful.
3. DESIGN FOR LONG LUNCHES & GATHERINGS
Holiday homes are lived in differently. The kitchen, dining table and outdoor areas quickly become the heart of the home.
A good starting point is seating. Your dining area should comfortably seat the number of guests the property sleeps, without anyone having to pull up a stray chair from another room. If space is tight, a dining bench can make all the difference, allowing you to squeeze in a few extra people without overcrowding the room.
If your budget allows, it’s also worth considering how the kitchen functions when cooking for a group. Larger or higher-spec appliances, such as a 900mm oven and cooktop, a generously sized fridge, or even a double dishwasher, can significantly improve how the space works during busy stays.
In the Gerringong project, Simone designed a true entertainer’s kitchen, complete with a butler’s pantry and an integrated bar with a built-in wine fridge. It means hosting feels effortless, and the kitchen supports the way people actually gather and spend time together on holiday.
4. STORE LESS, BUT STORE IT WELL
Storage in a holiday home is very different to storage in an everyday house. Guests don’t need full wardrobes or overflowing cupboards.
They simply need somewhere to put a suitcase and hang a few items. Open, easy-access wardrobes often work better than enclosed walk-in robes, as they’re intuitive and visually lighter.
Behind the scenes, however, storage becomes even more important, particularly if the property is rented. Hidden, lockable storage for extra linens, cleaning supplies and personal items allows the home to be reset quickly between stays.
Here, Simone designed an open walk-in wardrobe in the main bedroom, with custom wardrobes in the remaining bedrooms. She also incorporated generous laundry storage, including hanging racks and baskets, to keep everything organised and easy to manage.
5. DESIGN FOR BREEZES, NOT JUST AIR CONDITIONING
Comfort is one of the greatest luxuries in a holiday property, and it doesn’t need to rely on air conditioning alone.
Good insulation acts as a thermal barrier, reducing heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, which means the home stays comfortable year-round. When paired with thoughtful layout and window placement, natural ventilation can dramatically improve how a home feels.
If you’re designing or renovating, consider open-plan layouts aligned with prevailing breezes, using opposing low-level inlets and high-level outlets such as casement or awning windows, clerestory windows, bi-fold doors, high ceilings and roof vents. Shading eaves and ceiling fans can further enhance airflow and comfort.
In the Gerringong home, Simone prioritised high-performance windows and insulation, designing the layout to encourage cross ventilation. The open plan and window placement allow ocean breezes to move through the house, reducing reliance on air conditioning and supporting a more sustainable way of living.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The most memorable holiday homes feel different because they’re designed for a different rhythm, slower mornings, shared meals and spaces that invite you to relax rather than tread carefully.
If you’re planning a holiday home or styling an investment property, I hope these ideas help. For more tips, you can follow Simone and me on Instagram, or sign up to my style & design newsletter.
