The owners of a mid-century beach house in Portsea, Victoria reached out to Studio Esteta for a comprehensive renovation, with the brief seeking to introduce contemporary creature comforts without losing its nostalgic charm.

While the brief sought a mindful renovation, the Portsea Beach House’s aged design and build were not suited for contemporary comforts. The client wanted the original structure to be transformed into a light-filled, six-bedroom family home with spaces fit for sharing and entertaining.

Studio Esteta was engaged to deliver on this vision subject to two conditions: the redesign would keep to the existing built footprint, and the mid-century charm of the beach house’s heritage would be retained while bringing contemporary sensibilities to its updated design.

The resulting residence is modern and casual, yet with a deep sense of nostalgia and soul.

The existing kitchen, dining and living areas were maintained to the first-floor level, maximising the coastal outlook and adjacent spacious terrace. The bar provides a relaxed entertainment area, incorporating a high benchtop and operable window that maximises views and cultivates a connection with the Portsea Pier.

In keeping with the clients’ preferences, Studio Esteta ensured that heritage mid-century details were retained wherever possible, or used as a point of reference whenever it was not possible. For instance, the unique wall hooks were reused, while the existing glazed mosaic tiles that couldn’t be salvaged were used as inspiration for the palette in the five individual wet areas.

Zip HydroTaps were installed in the relevant wet areas as a refined nod to the contemporary comforts now enjoyed at the Portsea Beach House. The two HydroTap boiling, chilled and sparkling water tap models installed at the beach house include HydroTap Classic All-In-One BCSHA, and HydroTap Classic 5-in-1 BCSHA, both in a Brushed Chrome finish.

“Innovative and unique to this project was the commitment from our clients and ourselves, as the designers, to cautiously alter the existing home whilst remaining true to, and enhancing, the stylistic significance of its mid-century undertone,” says Sarah Cosentino, co-director of Studio Esteta.

“The resulting home has now become a sanctuary where our clients can find a shared respite in their beloved beachside property with friends and family.”

Photography: Sean Fennessy