Coastal dream house from SOUL Home

Tucked away in the picturesque beachside suburb of Cronulla, The ‘Maybe’ Forever home is the true creative vision of Simone Mathews, the founder and interior designer of SOUL Home. A labour of love, this stunning sanctuary combines classic elegance, natural warmth, and resort-inspired relaxation. Designed to provide the perfect balance for an active family, it offers an escape from the busyness of life, making Simone’s family feel as though they are living an island lifestyle every day.

Simone has crafted a home that seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary design elements. The ‘Maybe’ Forever home epitomises SOUL Home’s signature 70/20/10 rule: 70% classic elements, 20% organic influences, and 10% resort vibes. The result is a timeless yet modern space that invites you to relax and unwind. Natural timbers, organic shapes, stunning windows and dressings play a crucial role in creating the warm, inviting atmosphere that characterises this unique home.

Drawing inspiration from Bahamian architecture and European styles, Simone has created a timeless yet modern space which evokes a sense of escape and relaxation. “I wanted our home to be a place where we could escape our hectic lives, but also somewhere that was practical for our family,” Simone explains. “The blend of classic and contemporary elements, combined with organic textures and resort vibes, really brings that vision to life.”

Sustainability Behind the Scenes

Integral to Simone’s vision is the commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, a cornerstone of modern home design. “For us, it was important that our home not only looks beautiful, but also functions efficiently. We wanted a space that was environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run,” Simone explains. For Simone and her husband, Ben, who is also the builder, owning BAM Construction Group, ensuring that The ‘Maybe’ Forever home was as energy-efficient as possible was a top priority.

In this pursuit of sustainability, Simone turned to top building brands, Stegbar, Gyprock, Bradford, Big River Group and Luxaflex for their innovative products. The ‘Maybe’ Forever now sets a new standard for energy efficiency, meeting the 7 -Star energy rating thanks to clever building material selections.

A key aspect of this achievement lies in the materials that work behind the scenes to ensure the home not only looks, but also feels serene and inviting. Among these, CSR Bradford’s Enviroseal RW Plus Wall Wrap and Soundscreen acoustic insulation play an essential role. Though hidden within the walls and ceilings, these products contribute immeasurable, intangible qualities to the overall living experience. “These products provide an extra level of comfort by keeping the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer, all while dramatically reducing unwanted noise transfer,” Simone explains. “It’s this kind of attention to detail that creates a peaceful, quiet sanctuary within the home.”

The flooring base on the first and second floors is MaxiFloor by Big River, which significantly enhances the home’s acoustics and thermal properties. “MaxiFloor has had the greatest impact on the home’s functionality,” explains Simone. “It’s aerated concrete panels provide excellent acoustics. With the home spread over two levels, reducing noise transmission between floors was high on our list of considerations, and finding a product that offers superior thermal capabilities compared to traditional particleboard was a win. MaxiFloor’s lightweight panels also enabled a quick and cost-effective installation.”

Timeless Materials, Lasting Quality

Every element of The ‘Maybe’ Forever home has been selected with care to ensure not only visual appeal but also long-lasting comfort. The kitchen, as the heart of the home, perfectly illustrates this. It features Big River Group’s ArmourCab Spotted Gum veneer for all the cabinetry, as well as in the butler’s pantry, adding a stunning natural aesthetic that enhances the overall design.

“ArmourCab wood veneer is a prominent feature throughout our home,” says Simone. “The Spotted Gum veneer adds a classic, almost retro feel to the spaces, creating a sense of timelessness that makes it feel as though it has always belonged in the home. We also love its exceptional quality, which holds up well against heat and humidity, which is critical in these areas, especially living in a suburb near the ocean.”

The flooring throughout the first and second floors is finished with Big River’s European Oak, offering both visual appeal and resilience. The choice of this flooring was particularly important to accommodate the demands of an active household. “While we believe a timber floor should show signs of a lived-in home, we also wanted durability to withstand the daily activities of a family of six,” Simone remarks. “These floorboards are much stronger than those we’ve used in other builds, minimising dents and wear over time, which is important in a family home. The Desert colour strikes a perfect balance, lending itself to the timeless, classic foundation for the home’s design.”

In the laundry and master robe, Master Oak in White was selected for its durability and high performance. “Master Oak offers a scratch-resistant, moisture- and stain-resistant, and colourfast surface that looks and feels like real oak, but stands up to the wear and tear of a busy family home,” Simone notes.

Integral to the home’s design and functionality is Gyprock HD plasterboard, which was extensively used for its acoustic properties and enhanced resilience, ensuring the walls withstand the daily demands of a lively family home. “Strength and longevity were important considerations when choosing the right materials, especially with four energetic boys. I also wanted to ensure the privacy of the bedrooms on the ground floor and Gyprock HD allowed me to reduce sound travelling across the floors, transforming the space into a serene environment,” says Simone.

Windows and Doors: The Gateway to Style and Comfort

Windows and doors are crucial to achieving the overall aesthetic and comfort of the home. Given the Bahamian-inspired design of The ‘Maybe’ Forever home, an abundance of windows was chosen to let in natural light and create an airy, open feel. Throughout the home, Simone selected different frame and glass types from Stegbar’s advanced window and door solutions, based on design aesthetics and energy requirements.

Stegbar’s Envira Collection of thermally broken aluminium windows and doors was the ideal choice for areas of the impacted by the sun’s heat. “Stegbar’s newest range of windows and doors perfectly suited our requirements,” Simone shares. “The Envira Collection not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of our home but also provided superior energy efficiency and noise reduction. The thermally broken frames minimise heat transfer, ensuring that the interior temperature remains stable, reducing the need to switch on the air conditioner in summer and heater in winter, and lowering energy consumption and bills.”

To further enhance the home’s energy efficiency, Simone selected the Stegbar EnviraLuxe Thermally Broken Awning Windows for key areas, particularly where maintaining a consistent temperature was essential. “We wanted to ensure our windows were as energy efficient as possible, especially on the ground floor with the bedrooms, where in winter the warmth would stay in, and in summer the cool would not escape,” Simone explains.

The EnviraLuxe windows were strategically placed in the ground floor bedrooms, first-floor kitchen and walk-in pantry, second-floor ensuite, walk-in robe, and garage. “We are also limited with access on the side boardwalk of the house, so an awning window was the answer as it is minimal with the opening of the windows yet allows ventilation all year round,” she adds. With budget a consideration, these premium windows were reserved for the northern-side of the house.

For the ground floor living areas, ground floor bedroom, and first-floor dining, Simone opted for Alumiere Aneeta Multi Lite Windows paired with the stunning Western Red Cedar Sliding doors. “Aesthetics was the most important choice here,” Simone notes. “With this home having a Bahama’s plantation style, the doors truly play a big role in creating this look.”

Attention to Detail in Every Corner

Simone’s attention to detail is evident in every aspect of The ‘Maybe’ Forever home, from the elegant Gyprock Flexible arches that add architectural beauty, to the carefully selected Luxaflex® Window Coverings that adorn the interiors. The arches, with their soft, gentle lines, create a sense of fluidity and harmony throughout the home, soothing the overall ambiance.

Gyprock Flexible was essential in achieving these intimate curves, whether framing doorways, defining hallways, or enhancing ceilings, adding character and sophistication to every room. The inclusion of Gyprock Aria cornices in the wellness room further highlights Simone’s commitment to timeless elegance, proving that even small details can significantly elevate the home’s design.

Among the standout features are the premium Luxaflex® Window Coverings that not only serve as a visual delight but also enhance the home’s functionality. “When considering window treatments, their functionality is our top priority, but their appearance is equally important,” Simone explains. From automated blinds to MagnaTrack® awnings, each window dressing enhances the comfort and practicality of the space, as well as the final look. “Having worked with the Luxaflex® team on previous projects, we were confident in their ability to enhance our lifestyle,” Simone adds.

Automated Duette® Shades in the bedrooms add a touch of luxury and convenience, with their honeycomb design contributing to the home’s energy efficiency by providing insulation and reducing heat loss. “We focused on enhancing energy efficiency, particularly on the northern side of the house,” Simone notes. “Duette® Shades play a significant role in maintaining a comfortable indoor climate.” In the master bedroom, the S-fold curtains make the space feel cosier, while the pencil pleat curtains in the office add a classic style and a level of sophistication. In the downstairs living area, darker raw linen sheer fabric creates more drama, perfectly complementing the organic style and limestone flooring.

The selection of sheer curtain fabrics, such as the Luxaflex® Burton fabric in Natural used in the living and dining rooms, complements the home’s organic style, adding movement and transforming the space from looking sparse to feeling grounded. “Curtains are the final layer in the design of a space; they really anchor the room and tie it all together,” says Simone.

Elevating Outdoor Living

The outdoor room is the true hero of The ‘Maybe’ Forever home, meticulously designed for year-round use and offering a place of total relaxation for both family and guests. Despite spanning three levels, the home feels cosy and intimate, with each space carefully designed for functionality and comfort.

This outdoor space truly reflects how well the home’s design meets the diverse needs of its residents. While the unassuming front façade provides privacy and a modest, homey feel, the rear of the property exudes a resort-like feel that extends the home’s interior seamlessly into the outdoors.

Luxaflex® PolySatin® Shutters play a crucial role in transforming the look of the outdoor room, contributing to a plantation-style vibe that enhances the overall resort-like feel. The addition of MagnaTrack® awnings was a game-changer, offering effective heat management from the western sun and significantly reducing the need for air conditioning, all while making the space inviting and functional throughout the year. “MagnaTrack® awnings truly transform how we use the space,” Simone explains. “From the early planning stages, we knew they would allow us to enjoy the outdoors in comfort, no matter the season. Luxaflex® has always been a trusted partner in our projects, and their window treatments have significantly enhanced both the aesthetic and functionality of our home.”

The ‘Maybe’ Forever home is more than just a beautifully designed space; balancing style, comfort, and functionality, it creates an environment that is both practical for everyday living and visually stunning. “This project has been a journey of creativity and technical achievement,” says Simone. “It’s a home that reflects our personality and tells our unique story, with each level offering its own character, continuing to surprise and delight anyone who steps inside.”

What I love about this coastal dream house from SOUL Home

The nod to Caribbean style in the design of the exterior is perfect. I really like the dark roof, black gutters and fascia with the all white exterior. The Luxaflex outdoor blinds then work perfectly with this colour combination. The darker your outdoor blind, the more you can see through it. Don't be tempted to use a white blind with a white exterior. The visibility is nowhere near as good and the white is quite likely to be different from the exterior anyway.
The outdoor room is stunning. I love the exposed rafters and beams, the touch of timber in the ceiling fan and the casual seating and dining. I suspect you would spend most of your time in this space.
The Stegbar timber sliding doors are stunning. I do love timber painted doors and the pair of these really add a beautiful classic feel to the house.
The rich timber veneer used in the kitchen, butler's pantry and bathroom is beautiful. I really like the tonal contrast that it provides and also the richness that it brings to the scheme. It's also been used in the study nook in the bedroom. Just a small amount, but it makes all the difference. Don't feel that you need to match joinery timbers to the flooring. Just ensure that they have similar undertones as you would if you were combining whites and neutrals on the walls.
The window dressings are beautifully understated and I love the furnishings throughout. This really is a coastal dream house. You can find out more about Simone Matthews and SOUL Home here.

Exteriors, House Tours, Interiors