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Stylish holiday homes: Anchor Avoca Beach is new to the Central Coast

August 18, 2020 Leave a Comment

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Melissa and Adam Lever were looking for an investment property when they found the perfect holiday home instead and “fell into” a labour of love, renovating it to share with others too. The result is Anchor Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast where Adam grew up.

“Avoca Beach is a beautiful coastal village with a friendly community and a patrolled family-friendly beach,” Melissa says. “Adam grew up on the Central Coast and his family still live in the area, so we know it well. Personally, we love life by the beach so we wanted a coastal property in a suburb that was in high demand for either holidays or long term renters.”

Living on Sydney’s Northern Beaches themselves, it’s an easy drive to enjoy the place themselves when it isn’t rented by holidaymakers. “We enjoy the change of pace and natural beauty of the area.”

The house wasn’t exactly Instagram-worthy when they bought it, but thankfully the couple had enough vision to see the potential. “We liked the character of this place with the layout, large block and wraparound balcony. Thankfully we could see past the original federation colour scheme.” Having done a number of renovations on their own homes, they knew they could make a big impact with a revamp of the home.

Working with the existing building where they could, they embarked on the reno, doing much of the work themselves (no mean feat with kids in tow!). “We didn’t want to make too many floorplan changes as we knew this would pump up the costs significantly, and we also wanted to keep the beautiful beach-house vibe of the original home.”

They painted absolutely everything from the floors to the walls! “Painting the upstairs floors white made the area so much brighter – it was a deep red colour before, which made it appear dark. Changing this, changed the whole feel of the property,” Melissa says. They knew the main bathroom needed replacing due to a rotten floor but then they decided to replace all three bathrooms and the kitchen, from the joists up.

The Ikea kitchen was one of the biggest bargains, keeping costs down. “It allowed us to pick a classic style that still had enough personality to appeal to a broad guest taste. The appliances are fantastic and we would highly recommend it.”

“We opened up the kitchen by knocking down a partition wall and swapped out a large window at the rear for a glass door, which has allowed better access to the backyard and extra light. We also opened up an internal access so it was a wider, strong connection between the kitchen and living spaces. A memorable moment was renovating the ensuite for the second bedroom, which was originally a walk-in wardrobe with a toilet! Yikes!”

This en suite used to be a walk-in robe with toilet!

Renovating and managing trades while both working full-time from Sydney, and looking after three young kids, was certainly challenging. “We bought the home just before Christmas and spent every weekend over the following three months renovating. We helped with a lot of the grunt work – building the Ikea kitchen, laying backyard turf, painting and landscaping.”

The biggest renovating challenge was levelling the backyard, which involved excavation, drainage and levelling. “It’s been worth it to get a space that’s great for BBQs, kicking the ball and enjoying the firepit. The space is directly off the kitchen for an easy flow.”

The couple have gone for a “casually classy coastal” look, adding character and colour, from the inclusion of a farmhouse sink, to the colour of the furnishings. Keeping the walls and floors white means the neutral palette with pops of colour make Anchor look modern and fresh.

Keeping to a strict budget ensured Melissa and Adam didn’t overcapitalise. “We were considered with our style approach. From the Ikea kitchen, to decor and linens that could be repeatedly heavily cleaned. Painting the floors with white concrete paint was definitely one of the best things we did. The label says cars can drive over it, so it was heavy duty for guest wear and tear! The landscaping we chose was low maintenance while striking, using a lot of Australian natives to ensure that lush garden look without the hassle.”

Having a young family themselves meant they were conscious of the house being family-friendly, both for themselves, and guests, hence making sure one bathroom had a bath.

“We often have extended families come and visit, with grandparents and young kids all together. There is a large dining table seating 12. We provide Netflix, board games, kidsโ€™ books and toys for those afternoons when you want to chill out at the property. We also have a highchair and cot to ensure families can just turn up and feel instantly at home, away from home.”

A fully functioning laundry is great for family stays

The couple were inspired by other holiday properties like Mandala Beach House on the South Coast and Dunrana in Bowral. “Both are beautiful homes with a lovely sense of style and quality about them. We wanted Anchor to have its own individual feel and sense of style though, ultimately to feel relaxed and accessible to many families just like ours.”

Melissa believes the little touches make a difference, like leaving a handwritten message for each guest, a bottle of wine and a few breakfast items. She also understands the power of accommodation being Instagram-able: “A picture paints a thousand words and Instagram has taken this to another level. Guests want to see and get a general feel for a place, before they book. It has become a powerful marketing tool for small businesses to connect.”

Disclosure: My family and I were lucky enough to stay at Anchor earlier this month as guests of the owners and we would highly recommend it!

For more information or to book Anchor Avoca Beach, from $300 per night, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

For more on things to see and do on the NSW Central Coast

A surprisingly stylish trip to the NSW Central Coast
Now I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot with the Central Coast residents, because I can assure you I’ve always been a fan, but I have to…
NSW getaways: Mandala Beach House in Jervis Bay
If you’re anything like us, you’ve been dying to get away (somewhere, anywhere!), especially if the Covid lockdown saw you miss out on a planned break or you’ve reluctantly had…

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery ๐Ÿธ 

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Cheers! 

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Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

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Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

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Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

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Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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