For Lucy Fenton, escaping to her seaside weekender in Anglesea is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s city life.
Lucy Fenton and her family have been holidaying in the coastal town of Anglesea for more than 10 years, but it was only last year that they managed to snag a sensational weekender of their own. “We love the beaches! We often go for a long walk in the morning and explore the rockpools, then head back down in the afternoon for a swim and surf,” says Lucy. Located just an hour-and-a-half from Melbourne, Anglesea is the perfect place for a quick getaway, but it was the character of the home that won her over. “I love the high ceilings, exposed beams, timber panelling and exposed bricks,” says Lucy. “We knew we could make it into something that was unique.”
Taking inspiration from the 80’s era architecture of the property, Lucy created a retro beach house that’s bold, eclectic, and colourful – an aesthetic that reflects the personality of their family. Old carpet was removed and replaced, and the home was painted inside and out in hues influenced by eighties trends, but with a contemporary coastal twist. “There are lots of warm and earthy tones in the house, such as the original brown tiles in the kitchen, the cork floor and timber panelling, so I incorporated lots of colour and texture throughout the interiors to soften the original features of the house,” says Lucy of the colour scheme, much of which is echoed in her choice of artworks. “I love to mix and match styles in my interiors, but I also want it to feel cohesive. In some instances, I already had the art and selected furniture with it in mind, and sometimes it was the other way around.”
To achieve a low-maintenance and relaxed vibe, Lucy chose fabrics, furniture and finishes that have a casual feel but are hard-wearing. “I gravitated towards rattan furniture, leather chairs, velvet cushions, linen sheets and timber tables, and the combination of different textures gives it a layered, lived-in feel,” explains Lucy. “We also used outdoor fabrics on some of the indoor furniture so it can be easily washed - we entertain a lot, so this is super important for us,” she adds.
Indeed, this luxurious weekender is an entertainer’s paradise with the bedrooms and private quarters tucked safely away upstairs, while the downstairs floor plan is all about living and dining. The cosy lounge with an open fireplace is positioned at the front of the home, a sight that Lucy says makes her want to “light the fire and chill” as soon as she enters the home, while the light and bright rear living space opens on to the deck. “In the warmer months we entertain there, and the kids can run amok - it really is set up to escape our day-to-day life in Melbourne. We made sure we have lots of comfortable furniture and plenty of different nooks where you can escape, read a book, sit in the sun, or have a glass of wine,” says Lucy. “In the short time we’ve had it, it’s already bought us so much happiness. It’s a labour of love and keeping us busy, but we love it.”
The Sundowner is now available on Airbnb. Find it on instagram: @the_sundowner_anglesea.
