Depending on a home’s location or era, there’s a lot of variation to the coastal interior aesthetic, ranging from rustic fibro beach shacks to classic light-and-bright finishes.

But the overarching theme is anchored by two things: natural materials, ample sunlight, and a connection to its beachside environment.

In the case of this Hampton family home renovation, interior designer Studio Esar aspired for a more contemporary, lived-in take on the luxurious coastal look that often reigns supreme in Melbourne’s prestigious bayside suburbs.

Before being purchased by a couple with two young children looking to establish their ‘forever home’, the existing residence hadn’t been touched in over 30 years.

‘We had the opportunity to fully gut out the whole interior, aside from some key structural columns, the location of existing stairs, and existing framework,’ Studio Esar principal designer Silvia Roldan says.

‘There was also a conscious decision to avoid too much of a coastal aesthetic, and instead focusing on materiality and tone as opposed to the location of the home.’

Rather than adopting ‘obvious’ references, the material palette subtly draws from the colours of its surroundings. Pale Scandinavian herringbone timber floors reference nearby sandy beaches, paired with tones of green, peach, and warming neutrals.

Even in the living room, which features predominantly white and cream hues, texture offers visual interest and variation, thanks to Moroccan tiles on the fireplace hearth and sheer linen curtains.

Structurally, walls have been removed to open what was originally a segregated series of living spaces into a single flexible zone, allowing the family members to remain connected as they move from the dining room into the kitchen.

‘One of the primary challenges was working within the constraints of the existing structure, particularly elements such as load-bearing columns that weren’t ideal. However, rather than concealing these, we reimagined them into key design features,’ Silvia says.

In the kitchen, an existing column has been softened with curves and integrated into the sculptural Esmeralda quartzite benchtop. New arched openings and curved timber joinery also set the tone for the calming interiors, while the upstairs bathrooms embrace playful accents in the form of blue tiles or terrazzo-lined walls.

The resulting house feels neither strictly coastal nor contemporary, but a carefully balanced retreat designed to shape the rhythms of everyday family life.