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.
The concept was inspired by the idea of a Palm Springs motel, playfully integrating Southern Californian cues, but with an Australiana flavour. The mid-century inspiration is evident throughout, from the reception inspired kitchen and adjacent pool room, the sunken lounge, a long hallway leading to a series of colour blocked bedrooms with views to a central courtyard and swimming pool.
The use of only durable and textured materials meant that not a single sheet of plasterboard went into this build. Extensive brickwork, stained-glass screens, castellated timber walls and breezeblocks at the front veranda. This makes it not only unique for a typical Australian home, but it also creates a more relaxed feel with excellent acoustics even when buzzing with life.
Proprietary special brick shapes were used in an unconventional manner to create custom wall lights, ledges, fireplace and even the sunken lounge. Through close collaboration with builder and bricklayer we were able to push the boundaries of the use of standard bricks, which lead to a uniquely crafted, one-off result.
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.
