Mr & Mrs Smith

Pacific Road House

Northern Beaches, Australia

If you've ever imagined swishing around the Hollywood Hills in a maxi frock quaffing champagne with abandon, but are yet to realise that dream, Pacific Road House is the Australian equivalent you’ve been waiting for. Perched high on a hill, it has sweeping 50s architectural lines and design that blends the best of contemporary living with hints of vintage. Unlike urban LA, however, the view here is of turquoise water and breaking waves. Palm Beach is the second home of many of Sydney’s rich and famous and, sitting out on the expansive sandstone terrace soaking up the rays and keeping one eye open for migrating whales, you’ll feel part of the glitterati. The luxe interiors are equally impressive, care of stylish decorator Greg Natale. An open-plan living and dining space, with a wall of glass doors leading out to the terrace, is fitted out in neutral tones of sand and pale blue to reflect the coastal setting. At one end is the extremely well-equipped kitchen and a small courtyard and barbecue. Up a few stairs are three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a media room. Whether you’re a family looking for a beach bolthole or a couple seeking romance, you’ve certainly found it here.

Need to know

• Rates information Low season: AU$1,000 a night for two to four nights; AU$900 a night for five nights or more. High season: price on application.
• Ideal for Groups after a chic seaside escape; surfers with style.
• Sleeps up to 7.
• Property style A stunning 1950s private residence has been superbly renovated to both reflect that era and embrace modern beachside living.
• Grounds A set of steep stone steps meanders through a neat garden to the house. At the rear is a large lawn dotted with sunloungers under the shade of mature palm trees. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of this house is the expansive sandstone balcony.
• Minimum hire Two nights; one week in peak season (December, January, Easter and school holidays).
• Children There’s plenty of room here for them, although you’ll have to watch grasping hands and smudgy fingers when it comes to the designer bibelots and creamy sofas. They’ll love the trampoline in the garden and the beach is down the hill.
• Booking process To confirm a booking, full payment and credit card details are required in advance. Credit card merchant fee applies. Upon booking, a confirmation agreement listing terms, conditions and cancellation policy will be sent to you. Rates are subject to change without notice.
• Also An additional AU$50 linen charge applies for each bedroom used. Smoking and pets are not allowed.

Floor plan

• Spacious and airy, Pacific Road House has a huge combined living area that leads, via a small grouping of stairs, up to the sleeping 'wing' with its three bedrooms, two bathrooms and media room. A highlight of the property is the vast sandstone terrace overlooking the ocean.

• Bedrooms

  Pacific Road House sleeps a maximum of seven guests in three stylish bedrooms: one king-sized, one queen-sized and one twin room with single beds. There is also another single bed off the main bedroom ideal for a young child. The king-size bedroom sports a sleekly minimal black wooden four-poster; the queen-size bed is clean-lined in warm-toned wood; and all bedrooms are light, white and airy with hits of sky-blue and soothing neutrals across contemporary lounge chairs, cushions and accessories.

• Kitchen

  The kitchen is at one end of the open-plan living space. It’s a light, bright, all-white affair with stainless-steel benches and every appliance you could need, whether you’re preparing poached eggs and bacon for breakfast or canapés and cocktails come sundown. Meals can be taken either on the sandstone terrace or at the timber table adjacent to the kitchen that seats eight.

• Living room

  The open-plan living space has comfortable bone-hued corner sofas strewn with cushions. The palette reflects the surrounds: sands, beige and pale blue are predominant, with touches of rattan and raw timber. The ornamental semicircular fireplace, an original 50s fixture, is certainly a talking point. Full-length glass doors open to the expansive sandstone terrace.

• Dining room

  Part of the home’s general living area, this area features a long timber table surrounded by eight white designer chairs.

• Gardens A lush lawn dusted with sunloungers and shaded by palm trees is one attraction. The other, of course, is the enormous sandstone terrace accessed through the glass doors of the living space. You could spend your entire break out here, enjoying the sunshine and peering out to sea trying to spot migrating whales.
• Private parking There is space for two cars.