Seaside House by Alexandra Kidd Interior Design

Seaside House by Alexandra Kidd Interior Design is the culmination of mid-century ideals and international influences. Set within a bayside enclave, the spaces are earthy, tactical and permeable, enveloped by mesmerising daylight and spirited layering.

On the sandy bays of northern Sydney, a verdant corner site contains a dwelling of stone and timber. The architecture is an embodiment of different styles, both past and present, and of quintessential harbourside living. Capturing ever-changing outward vistas and the interplay of light and shadow, a collection of solid masses is thoughtfully defined by curated apertures, as portals into the heart of the interior.

The entertainer’s realm exudes a relaxed formality, with earthy, natural hues of a mid-century aesthetic set against a backdrop of resplendent eclecticism.

Seaside House is a demonstration of an understated tonal palette, conceived as an intrinsic continuation of the new construction. “A close partnership with Rich Carr Architects ensured fluid integration and a potent design language,” explains Alexandra Kidd. Tailored to the subtropical climate, the house reflects a fusion of historic and international references. Inspired by the Northern Beaches, the design pairs brutalist elements with Japanese spatial sensibilities, enriched by modernist Brazilian features. As a reinvention of the original site, the dwelling embeds itself within the established streetscape through the artful arrangement of a familiar form and scale.

Organised around pocket gardens and curvilinear skylights, the house clearly delineates public, private and guest areas. “The design balances openness and intimacy, creating spaces that foster both connection and seclusion,” says Kidd. “Communal areas, such as the open-plan living and dining zones, seamlessly flow to outdoor terraces and a pool cabana, encouraging family interaction and entertaining.” Upon entering Seaside House, one is greeted by a generous genkan – a traditional Japanese entryway – before ascending through a gallery passage. Cool limestone tiles run gracefully across the ground floor, complementing the travertine walls inside and out. The entertainer’s realm exudes a relaxed formality, with earthy, natural hues of a mid-century aesthetic set against a backdrop of resplendent eclecticism. Upstairs, a sense of lightness prevails, with a double-height buffer placed between the children’s domain and the main bedroom. Rooms dissolve into outdoor loggias, flanked by lush vegetation at every threshold.

Covered eaves stretch out, reaching toward the garden and blurring the line between inside and outside.

Against a canvas of stone and concrete, rich veneers of ashy greys and parchment whites adorn cabinetry, chairs and tabletops. Velvety cut-pile carpets and area rugs offer a luxurious underfoot experience, contrasted by playful terrazzo accents in the upstairs ensuites. Reminiscent of brutalist forms, fluted lines sculpt a central monolithic island of book-matched marble. Burnished brass and blackened bronze echo the earthy hues of the palette, while tangerine leathers and amber embellishments add a touch of warmth.

Covered eaves stretch out, reaching toward the garden and blurring the line between inside and outside. “Despite its solid, structured form, there’s an almost biophilic sensitivity in how the house adapts – sun and rain dance through strategically placed skylights, water features cast mesmerising patterns on sandstone walls and materials shift in character with the changing light,” muses Kidd. Operable thresholds invite gentle breezes inside, creating a pavilion-like atmosphere that frames views of the harbour reserve.

Inspired by the Northern Beaches, the design pairs brutalist elements with Japanese spatial sensibilities, enriched by modernist Brazilian features.

Seaside House is the culmination of mid-century ideals, underpinned by international influences. Set within a bayside enclave, the dwelling presents as a harmonious balance of openness and shelter, framed by a backdrop of lush greenery. Interior spaces are tactical and robust, enriched by the spirited layering of eclectic objects and the dappled qualities of an ever-changing daylight.

Architecture by Rich Carr Architects. Interior design by Alexandra Kidd Interior Design. Build by Airth Building. Landscape design by Wyer & Co.