White, soft and spacious the Green Gables home stays true to its roots while welcoming art, design icons and a sense of casual luxury fit for its beachside locale. Tudor style homes are characterised by solid brickwork, timber, a pitched roof that often overlaps and – most notably – front-facing, triangular gables. Entering Green Gables, a timber-lined dome ceiling above the stair void highlights the volume of the home. The front door now opens to these grand proportions, which Studio Tate introduced in the new layout. Further honouring the historic elements of the home, the staircases’ metal balustrades reference the geometric pattern on the house’s windows, with timber treads added to the steps. Special attention was also paid to the window architraves and matching these with contemporary lining boards.

Selecting durable, high-quality materials was integral to the project, not just as an ode to the old but to prepare it for guest accommodation. The textures and shades selected were based around subtle seaside references, with a predominant palette of white, sand, nude and grey tones. While colour has been kept to a minimum, Studio Tate has paid tribute to the client’s favourite colour- mint green in the drawer and cupboard linings. Terrazzo in the bathroom, charcoal timber floors, oak cabinetry and tan leather chairs work together for a relaxed country weekender meets beachside vibe.

The light and bright scheme has enhanced the expansive feeling of the house, which was modified to include a larger ground floor. According to Studio Tate this really improved the overall layout of the home and its functionality, allowing a fluidity to characterise the kitchen and dining area. Not only providing an opportunity for decoration, but the strategically placed joinery also assists in gently directing circulation and segmentation of spaces.

Custom-designed joinery was a priority for Studio Tate. This spans a banquette window seat with metal mesh drawers and a custom-made bookshelf in the living room. Fitting to this emphasis on craftsmanship is the inclusion of renowned Danish brand Moller including the Moller stool and dining chairs and a Moller bench in the bathroom. Other design icons include the Spanish Chair and Tea Trolley 901.