A SUMMER RITUAL
FROM VICTORIAN BATHING BOXES to depression-era beach shacks and post-war fibro houses, the holiday home has long loomed large in the Australian psyche and symbolised the national spirit at its various stages of evolution. For many of us it means childhood and nostalgia and the chance to capture an elusive feeling of contentment and freedom. But today there is no one architectural vernacular to draw on and instead a summer bolthole can take many forms: refurbished retro gems, modernist masterpieces, contemporary villas, eco retreats, you name it. What exactly constitutes the perfect holiday home will differ from person to person, but you can guarantee that the core essence will remain the same whoever you ask (and that it will almost always be close to the beach).
“The perfect holiday home is exactly that – it’s a destination that perfectly balances the freedom of a holiday and the warmth of a home.”
“A functional home in a beautiful location that exudes a sense of luxury with a relaxed atmosphere is the first prerequisite,” says Matthew Fleming, CEO of Australian boutique rental agency Contemporary Hotels. “The perfect home has great architecture and gorgeous interiors and easy access to desired activities, such as a surfing beach, golf or excellent dining choices.”
For Jason Grant, interior stylist, author and creative director of homewares collection MJG, “a relaxed, comfortable space,
