This small house purchased in 2002 has been quadrupled in size and transformed into a dream home full of relaxed beach house decor.
When Bernadette Cross and husband Connor purchased this property in 2002, it was a tiny brick cottage with remnants of a 1970s renovation. As their family has grown, the home has too with the couple gutting the house and starting over. For the overall look, Bernadette wanted “something classic and timeless, but with a simple, coastal edge”.
Words by: Alex Hawthorne
Photography by: Maree Homer/Bauersyndication.
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Bernadette with daughter Scout and son Jack.
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“A friend handcrafted our timber benchtop. We absolutely love it and it still works 12 years later – it’s aged beautifully.”
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The pendant lamps from Freedom are a great focal point in the breezy kitchen space. “A friend handcrafted our timber benchtop. We absolutely love it and it still works 12 years later – it’s aged beautifully.”
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The cross and round porthole by Jai Vasicekare mementos from a family holiday.
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The timber console was made by Connor and is accompanied by classic white ornaments.
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The reading nook in the dining area is a favourite place for all the family.
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Jack takes a break on an old recycled school bench.
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Bernadette loves her linen sofa from Everyday Living in the TV zone because it’s really slim.
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This DIY bookshelf carries the beach theme.
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Hope & May stools and an old bamboo ladder add extra warmth in the ensuite.
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The window behind the basin provides plenty of natural light.
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The colour in Scout’s room was custom-mixed to match Tiffany blue.
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Bernadette’s favourite pompom quilt in the main bedroom is from Country Road.
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Jack swapped rooms with the study. He loved its navy walls, so they stayed.
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Louvres ensure constant cross-breezes through the living areas.
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“Our house is great for catching the Aussie breeze. We live in and out all year round, with louvres and big sliding doors,” Bernadette says.
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