Displays Understated Elegance

Article appeared in The West Australian (21st February 2009)

© West Australian Newspapers

This luxurious holiday home is nothing short of awe-inspiring, with views of Bunker Bay from a second-floor living area, a timber-decked alfresco area among a stand of paperbark trees and fireplaces for the winter months.

Extensive use of timber, including jarrah and cedar, combined with limestone and travertine, gives a sense of understated elegance.

Mike Valmadre, of Valmadre Constructions, said because the home was within the Bunker Bay Resort precinct, the owners had to stay within fundamental design guidelines.

Valmadre Homes, Dunsborough Western Australia, Dunsborough Builder

Upstairs, the loft-style living area has a high, raked ceiling that features exposed collar ties and cedar battens.

Mark Bradley Architects, in conjunction with Grounds Kent Architects, worked with the clients to finetune the design to suit their needs.

The result is a property with a relaxed ambience, in harmony with its surroundings.

The central living area features walls of diamond-cut limestone, and flooring throughout the home is either jarrah or travertine tiles.

The entry from the street is eye-catching, with granite retaining walls leading to an entrance constructed of the same stone, flanked by rendered walls and with a curved roofing panel creating a sheltered gatehouse entrance.

The front courtyard is exposed aggregate, with some formed as pavers interspersed with pebbles and grasses to soften the effect. An outdoor shower is a practical inclusion in the courtyard.

Once inside, the home’s space and graceful atmosphere greet the visitor as the living areas stretch out in front and offer a view through to the alfresco area.

The alfresco area has a wood Jetmaster fire and a barbecue and was built around a stand of paperbark trees.

There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms; and the ensuite has a spa bath.

The jarrah staircase forms an interesting backdrop to the kitchen, which has Miele appliances and a big island bench/breakfast bar, with all benchtops in CaesarStone.

The dining area overlooks and opens out to the alfresco area, while opposite the kitchen is the elegant family room with a fire set in a limestone hearth. Two big jarrah-framed glass sliding doors allow the area to be closed off or interact with the rest of the living space.

Upstairs, the loft-style living area enjoys glimpses to the beach and includes its own kitchenette for entertaining.

The design guidelines meant a balcony was not an option for the home.
However, the clever use of bi-fold doors, safeguarded by a steel-cable balustrade, creates an indoor-balcony effect.

Windows on the opposite side of the living area offer views of the trees and there are also louvres and constant ventilation to let heat escape.
The area has jarrah floors, and the bulkhead above the fireplace cleverly conceals the air-conditioning unit.

The three bedrooms are downstairs and the bathroom has travertine floor and wall tiles and a big shower.

The main bedroom’s ensuite has a big semi-recessed basin backed by a frameless mirror, an oval spa bath and a shower.

The bedroom has a sliding door to the alfresco area, and there is also access to the outdoors from near the second bedroom.

The Perth-based owners visit often intend to retire to the home.

“We’ve built several times in the past 10 years and Valmadre Constructions were excellent. Mike was a pleasure to deal with,” one of the owners said. “The whole team was very professional, from the supervisor to the tradespeople.”

The property is also a luxury holiday rental and details are available at www.bunkerbay beachhouse.com.au.

Valmadre Homes, Dunsborough Western Australia, Dunsborough Builder
Valmadre Homes, Dunsborough Western Australia, Dunsborough Builder