Located on the Mornington Peninsula
Approximately 80 kilometres south of Melbourne’s CBD, Mount Martha is known for its balance of bushland meeting the coast. Defined by classic beach houses, spacious family homes, and character-filled mid-century bungalows, the area lends itself to interiors that feel relaxed, layered, and connected to place.
“This home holds a special significance for our family. A place where we have entertained family and friends, and hosted weddings and other meaningful celebrations. Upgrading the house was about creating spaces where the family could come together and continue making new memories to cherish.”
Margaret and Peter, Mount Martha
Reimagined as a refined coastal retreat, this Mount Martha renovation was designed to support family life, entertaining, and quiet escape. Tennille Joy Interiors brought a Hamptons-inspired aesthetic to the project, interpreted through an Australian lens. Perched above rolling greenery with expansive ocean views, the home now reflects a calm, elevated coastal lifestyle.
Client Brief
The clients, a retired couple, engaged Tennille Joy Interiors to modernise an enclosed beach house and introduce a Hamptons-inspired feel with warmer tones that align with their personal aesthetic.
What began as a plan to add a bedroom wing evolved into a full interior and exterior renovation. The brief included an entertainer’s kitchen, upgraded bathrooms, a library, a cinema room, a kitchen and bar downstairs, along with defined living zones for both gatherings and everyday use. Storage and cabinetry were to be integrated and discreet, with the layout prioritising clear sightlines, 180-degree water views, and a stronger connection to the landscape.
The clients’ vision centred on
- A light, airy interpretation of Hamptons style with Australian colours
- High-quality, low-maintenance finishes suited to a second home
- Spaces able to host larger gatherings while remaining calm and ordered
- A home that felt connected to its coastal landscape
Hamptons-Inspired Living Room and Custom Joinery
The original dining room was transformed into a dedicated library, designed as a place to read, play games, and pause. Custom joinery houses books and concealed storage, while built-in bench seating wraps the window, positioning the view as the focal point. This space provides a quieter counterpoint to the larger living zones.
A floating joinery piece introduces visual lightness while integrating vinyl storage, audio components, and concealed drawers. Custom powder-coated mesh enhances acoustic performance and is coordinated with brass hardware to maintain a cohesive material language.
Restored cane chairs from the family’s first Portsea beach house were reupholstered and reintroduced, preserving their history while comfortably fitting into the updated interior.
“While Margaret was drawn to Hamptons style, she preferred richer, autumnal tones. My role was to develop a modern Hamptons design with an Australian tilt, informed by the landscape and water views of Mount Martha.”
Tennille Joy, Principal Designer
The Ensuite
Located on the upper level, the ensuite was redesigned as a light-filled retreat with garden and sea views. Removing the original shower wall and bulkhead opened the space, allowing light to flow freely and increasing the sense of height.
The view was prioritised as the focal point, with integrated storage keeping the room ordered and uncluttered. A restrained mix of tiles, classic English tapware, and textured cabinetry creates a timeless finish, balancing Hamptons references with a coastal sensibility.
Materials and Finishes
- Joinery: Custom 100mm VJ panelling in Dulux Natural White (half strength), matte finish
- Benchtops: Neolith sintered stone in Calacatta Gold Silk
- Flooring: Toasted Oak engineered timber
- Tiles: Fez Aqua tiles laid in a 95% matte, 5% gloss mix
- Appliances: Integrated Miele appliances
- Tapware: Perrin & Rowe mixer tapware in nickel
- Colour palette: Natural white, Pale Tendril, and earthy green-grey tones
- Custom-designed rugs in wool, silk and hemp
“We layered classic furniture and soft furnishings in warm biscuit tones, with olive, terracotta, mulberry, and subtle blue accents. The artwork reflects the Mount Martha landscape, including the distinctive rock cliffs, with a focus on local artists such as Sophie Perez.”
Tennille Joy, Principal Designer
Design Challenges
The original home, built in the late 1980s and early 1990s, presented challenges including enclosed layouts, heavy finishes, and a limited relationship to the outdoors. Its scale, spread across four levels on a sloping site, created sharp transitions and poor flow.
The layout was rationalised to better accommodate larger gatherings while still allowing quieter areas for retreat. Material selection required careful consideration, particularly where interior finishes transitioned into exterior spaces, including the pool area.
Awards and Recognition
This project was featured in House & Garden Magazine’s Fresh Contemporary Australian Renovations (2022), which recognised its refined approach to contemporary coastal living on the Mornington Peninsula.
Designing in Mount Martha
Interior design on the Mornington Peninsula requires an understanding of the local context, particularly when designing coastal homes in Mount Martha and the surrounding region. By drawing on tones found in the local bushland, cliffs, sand, sky, and sea, Tennille Joy creates interiors that feel grounded and connected to their setting.
