This circa 1978 abode on the Mornington Peninsula had all the makings of a great beach house just waiting to be unlocked.

After several years living in the home, the owners engaged Katherine Charlton Design to lighten the interior with the aim of better framing the landscape beyond; replacing the 1990s kitchen; and improving the layout.

‘The house was not only dated but was falling apart after years of wear by the salty air. The bones were great and views to the ocean were all there — it just needed a total revamp inside and out,’ says Katherine Charlton.

‘There are a total of five bedrooms and three bathrooms, so it was really about freshening up these spaces and making them more open, spacious, and easy to use adding to the feeling of great flow.

‘They wanted the house to still feel laid back and have a calming simplicity to it, but have all the mod cons of a new house. They didn’t want anything too precious with young kids and a dog.’

Subsequent renovations saw the floor plan tweaked — turning the second living space on the upper storey into the main bedroom.

‘The owners wanted to wake up to the view each day. All the other bedrooms are downstairs and have views of the garden. To make this into a bedroom, we added wardrobes along both sides to eat up some of the space and extended what was the powder room into a generous en suite,’ Katherine says.

The renovation also extended the footprint of the kitchen, which features all new materials and appliances including a Neolith (sintered stone) bench top. ‘It is so durable, fuss-free, and we liked that it is a sustainable material and has recycled content,’ Katherine says.

All the damaged original timber windows were replaced with full-height aluminium windows that simultaneously allow for uninterrupted views. ‘Now without horizontal elements (as per the existing timber windows) the view to the ocean beyond is even better,’ Katherine says.

The renovations have brightened up the home, again to enhance the natural landscape beyond. The ceiling was painted white, with contrasting exposed timber ceiling beams painted Dulux Monument, and the interior brick walls bagged. Oak joinery balances the scheme and ties in with existing timber floors that were sanded back.

The project has given the tired 1970s home a new lease on life . ‘It’s a wonderful family home that complements their lifestyle’ says Katherine. ‘They plan on living there for a very long time.’