Aussie beach shack meets Palm Springs motel. This four-bedroom holiday house, created by Berit Barton of PleysierPerkins, for a family of three playfully integrates MCM cues, creating an adaptable home that can cater for fluctuating numbers of people during the summertime.
Inspired by the idea of a Palm Springs motel but with a distinctly Australasian twist, the concept plays with Southern Californian cues and local materials. From the kitchen, reminiscent of a motel reception desk, to the adjacent pool room, every detail channels mid‑century cool. The sunken lounge invites you to sink into the moment, while a long hallway unfolds into colour‑blocked bedrooms that frame views of a central courtyard and swimming pool.
In keeping with the mid‑century beach house aesthetic, durable textured materials dominate the build — not a single sheet of plasterboard was used. Instead, the structure features extensive brickwork, stained‑glass screens, castellated timber walls and breezeblocks on the front veranda. These choices give the home an uncommon feel in an Australian setting, delivering a relaxed atmosphere and excellent acoustics even when the house is buzzing with life.
One of the most inventive details: proprietary special brick shapes used in unconventional ways. Custom wall lights, ledges, the fireplace and even the sunken lounge were crafted by pushing the boundaries of standard bricks, in close collaboration with builder and bricklayer. The result is a one‑off, bespoke mid‑century beach house that feels both grounded and elevated.
Walking through the home, you’ll sense how the design flexes for changing numbers: the common spaces stay open and inviting, perfect for sharing drinks by the pool or lounging after a swim; the bedrooms, arranged off a long corridor, each carry their own identity through colour blocking and outlooks, allowing guests to feel both part of the group and individually grounded.
The material palette reinforces that duality of playfulness and durability. Imagine the warmth of stained timber, the crispness of breezeblocks, the privacy and mystery of coloured glass — all layered to create depth, texture and connection to place. This isn’t just a holiday home — it’s a mid‑century beach house re‑imagined for a modern, flexible lifestyle.
For design lovers, the message here is clear: you can reference vernacular American mid‑century tropes and still stay rooted in an Australian coastal context. The pool‑side lounge, the motel‑style reception kitchen and the colourful bedroom wings all nod to Palm Springs but live beautifully under Aussie skies.
In this mid‑century beach house, every detail matters. The brickwork isn’t just structure: it’s sculptural. The breezeblocks aren’t just decorative: they’re functional. The corridor isn’t just a transition space: it’s a vista. And the final effect is a holiday house that doesn’t compromise: playful yet resilient, social yet intimate.
Whether you’re settling in for a quiet family break or hosting a lively summer gathering, this home offers the best of both worlds. It’s a celebration of design, movement, materiality and place.
