A Cheerful Beachside Retreat

Kip&Co diamonds wool shag cushion. Marimekko ‘Kivet’ cushion. CASTLE lilac round cushion. Rocking chair from Space Furniture. Vintage black rocking chair from Dogs Breakfast Trading Company Fitzroy (no longer trading). Houdini Modular sofa from King Furniture. Woven pendant from Living etc. Concrete floor by Geelong Concrete Grinding. ‘Play’ painting by local artist Donna Pollock. ‘Bondi’ jute rug from Living Styles. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

Kip&Co diamonds wool shag cushion. Marimekko ‘Kivet’ cushion. CASTLE lilac round cushion. Rocking chair from Space Furniture. Houdini Modular sofa from King Furniture. ‘Play’ painting by local artist Donna Pollock. ‘Bondi’ jute rug from Living Styles. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

Homeowner Virginia Morris. Houdini Modular sofa from King Furniture. Woven pendant from Living etc. Concrete floor by Geelong Concrete Grinding. ‘Play’ painting by local artist Donna Pollock. ‘Bondi’ jute rug from Living Styles. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

Vintage exhibition posters and framed by Kardinia Picture Framing in Geelong. Woven rattan pendant light from Living Etc. Lightly planter and plant on the coffee table from Arizona Living. Dulux Antique White USA Half Strength Inter. Blue geometric rug custom made by Behruz Studio. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

‘The book-now-plant shelf happened by accident, over time the books left and the plants grew,’ says Virginia. Plants from Arizona Living in Torquay and Great Ocean Road Nursery in Bellbrae. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

Pendant lights from Beacon Lighting. Cape wire yellow fruit bowl from Safarifusion. Concrete bench from Concrete Architecture (now closed). Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

The view into the lounge room. The blue enamel teapot from Cibi. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

Pendant lights from Beacon Lighting. Cape wire yellow fruit bowl from Safarifusion. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

The dining room. Chevron rug by Fenton and Fenton. ‘Willy-nilly’ framed poster by The Print Supply. Vintage Pat Morgan surfboard. Old Japanese gate dining table and side board from Kyo. Bespoke white vase on side board by local ceramist Georgina Readhead. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

Pendant light from Living by Design. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

Sage x Clare ‘Sham’ cushion. Society of Wanderers pillow cases from Torquay Merchant. Dharma Door Mandala wall hanging. Framed print from Frankie Say Relax in Torquay. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

The 100 Steps Beach Bungalow! Rattan chair by Uniqwa Collections. Hanging chair from Byron Bay Hanging Chair. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

Despite being so close to the beach, the backyard still has a pool! Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

The backyard is functional and relaxing. Hanging chair from Byron Bay Hanging Chairs. Large rattan chairs from Ishka. Outdoor custom black cushions with vinyl white piping Surf Coast Upholstery. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

100 Steps Beach House and Bungalow in Point Roadknight, Anglesea is located literally 100 steps from the beach! The Bungalow is fully self-contained holiday accommodation purpose built for couples with private entrance and courtyard. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

The Anglesea surf. Photo – Nikole Ramsay. Styling – Emma O’Meara.

Growing up, Virginia Morris’ family owned a holiday house in Anglesea (on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road) filled with beautiful memories and experiences she hoped to share with her own children, Kai (now 17) and Jude (15). She kept an eye on the town’s real estate for years, until a house just 100 steps from Point Roadknight beach became available.

‘It’s hard to describe, but there is an instant relaxing vibe that washes over you as soon as you walk in the front door… I felt it when I went to the first inspection when the house was on the market; I was sold the minute I walked in (although I put my best poker face on for the agent!),’ says Virginia. ‘I did everything I could to make it happen.’

Virginia loved the original 1980’s house, including its great natural air flow, north-facing windows. and exposed timber ceilings – all of which she planned on retaining.

‘The house was built by a builder local to the area… and still feels modern in its design 37 years on,’ Virginia says. ‘People are often shocked when they find out when it was built.’

At the same time, after years of being used as occasional holiday accommodation, the house had lost some of its homely feel. Several rooms had also been added over the time, leaving the property with a massive six bedrooms!

Renovations were undertaken over several years, in collaboration with local trades. The addition of a plunge pool/spa was the first priority; followed by a new kitchen with concrete bench tops; then the removal of a bar to open up the living area.

‘It felt nice to turn it back into a permanent family home,’ says Virginia.

Years later, the family converted an unused rumpus room, laundry, bathroom into a self-contained bungalow. This section features its own private entrance and courtyard, and is available for short term rent under the nickname 100 Steps to the Beach Bungalow. The family also rent the main house out on occasion, which sleeps 10 guests.

Styling wise, Virginia has played with colour to facilitate a ‘fun, relaxed beach vibe’ throughout the interiors. Indoor plants feature in almost every room, and are a welcome dose of greenery in contrast to the home’s dark exterior.

Add to this the sound of the waves as you drift off to sleep, and you have one very enviable home!