Sunny Breeze
Hanna van Mourik and her husband transformed their duplex into a happy mix of modern Australian coastal with mid-century vibes.
Words: Nichola Davies / Photography: Mark Zeidler, Coast Park Creative
Homeowner Hanna van Mourik of Navian Design and her husband were living on a busy street in Queensland’s Mooloolaba when they saw this home by Ben Liddell Constructions on the cover of a real estate magazine.
“It was right across from the beach with only 200 metres to the sand,” explains Hanna. “We visited the beach early one morning and the water was crystal clear, and there were cockatoos and galahs flying around. My husband and I thought we’d arrived in paradise.”
The couple were lucky enough to nab the duplex at auction two weeks later and then set to work making it their own, with Hanna doing the interior styling herself. “We wanted it to have a relaxed holiday feel, so we have lots of white linen, rattan, vintage rugs and natural materials,” she explains.
““I wanted it to be a space to connect, get inspiration, have good conversations and enjoy some afternoon drinks.””
Right away, they swapped most light fittings in the home to suit their taste, painted the fence behind the outdoor bar black, and planted a giant bird of paradise to add more greenery.
One of Hanna’s favourite features of the home is the living area overlooking the pool, which was originally designed to be a media room. “The TV got kicked out as soon as we moved in and we replaced it with art and lots of coffee table books,” says Hanna. “I wanted it to be a space to connect, get inspiration, have good conversations and enjoy some afternoon drinks.”
“I also love the pool area. We built the daybed outside, so it feels like we’re always on holidays. It’s so nice to just sit there dangling our feet in the water or have a lazy Sunday under an umbrella.”
Outdoor concrete benches and breezeblocks in the fence add to the relaxed coastal vibe, and custom-fitted concrete benches throughout the interior continue the home’s beautifully consistent design aesthetic.
Natural materials complement the look and were sourced from local and ethical businesses where possible. “For example, the dining table is locally made and the big wall hanging near the kitchen from The Dharma Door is fair trade,” says Hanna.
Hanna laughs that she’s always changing things around in the house, and in future the couple plans to extend and build out the outdoor concrete benches as timber bench seats with outdoor cushions. But in the meantime, they’re enjoying life in a location that’s hard to beat.
“My husband got me a Smeg coffee machine for Christmas and we buy ground beans from our favourite coffee shop,” says Hanna. “So we make delicious coffee and then take the dog for a walk on the beach before work every morning; it’s the best start to the day.”
