The Rugless family home is more than a well-designed, comfortable abode. It also serves admirably as a superb setting for the products of its owners’ business venture – an excitingly new and extremely elegant range of modern furniture. Nicole and Mark have lived around Coogee Beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs ever since they got married. “That’s 25 years ago now,” laughs Nicole – and they don’t plan on leaving any time soon. Clearly, they believe when you’re on to something good, stick with it! THIS IS IT! They found the place they finally fell in love with about 10 years ago and moved right in to the original old house. “We lived there for five years before knocking it down,” Nicole says fondly, “but it was basically falling apart by that stage.” They learned a lot from it, however, about how to improve it lifestylewise and they also wanted to do more with the 400sqm block itself, which was typical of its time – 10 metres wide by 40 long. The high regard in which the late- Victorian model of architecture from the UK in the 19th century was held throughout Australia, particularly the inner-city terraces, ensured its survival – and indeed, its replication – well into the 20th century. Prices for these 100-year-old properties soared as they were snapped up and lovingly renovated in the 1960s and ‘70s, and the much-loved suburban three-bedroom semis were equally sought-after at that time and duly modified to suit modern living. In the new millennium, however, ‘makedo’ won’t do – apart from anything else, economically, it’s often more expensive than starting again. The serried ranks of long blocks like the one the Rugless home is on still constitute many suburbs in Australian cities today, however they require a total rethink to make the most of them, as Nicole and Mark discovered. And so they called on architect Paul Berkemeier to help them bring their ideas to reality. “We felt we could maximise the views it had by building a house that was better designed for the position – and make it more pleasant to live in by bringing light and breezes into it,” Nicole explains. “Our three she adds, “so we envisaged something that would suit them too – a comfy, relaxed sort of home that accommodates a family of five.” Indeed, Lauren, now 20, Andrew, nearly 17, and Olivia, 15, naturally adore their ultramodern home – and, not surprisingly, their friends do too! As the block slopes, they were able to build on three levels, with a garage, laundry and storage on the lowest one and four bedrooms and two bathrooms above it, plus a small living area leading out to the deck and the pool. It’s the top level, however, that takes one’s breath away with its huge living/dining and kitchen area, and decks on either side children were pretty well teenagers then,” she adds, “so we envisaged something that would suit them too – a comfy, relaxed sort of home that accommodates a family of five.” Indeed, Lauren, now 20, Andrew, nearly 17, and Olivia, 15, naturally adore their ultramodern home – and, not surprisingly, their friends do too! As the block slopes, they were able to build on three levels, with a garage, laundry and storage on the lowest one and four bedrooms and two bathrooms above it, plus a small living area leading out to the deck and the pool. It’s the top level, however, that takes one’s breath away with its huge living/dining and kitchen area, and decks on either side affording stunning coastal views that frame the endless ocean. FOLLOW THAT DREAM... Nicoya Furniture is Nicole’s pet project, named after a peninsula in Costa Rica, South America. “The furniture’s not from there though,” she says. “It’s actually made in Asia. ‘Nicoya’ is just a beautiful tropical area that was my inspiration.” The concept is most intriguing as it’s basically resin inlaid with natural elements like palm twigs or rattan. BEHIND THE SCENES BIGGEST CHALLENGES “The fittings and fixtures had to be high quality or marine-grade stainless steel because of the salt air on the coast. In fact, we tried to avoid using too much metal because things rust so quickly. Also, with a two-storey house right next door, ensuring enough light came into ours was another major challenge. That’s why there’s a huge opaque-glass window in the main bathroom because that was the old – very small, dark – kitchen, and we were determined not to have a dark, poky bathroom!” FAVOURITE PLACE Not surprisingly, the whole family agrees it’s the living area upstairs – “we all love it up there”. LUCKIEST FIND “I guess you could say it was Cosmo the dog! He’s nearly 10 years old and we bought him just after we moved into the house. He loves the place and goes for walks along the boardwalk every day. He knows his way back – he never gets lost!” STORY GABRIELLE BAXTER PHOTOGRAPHY TONY POTTER STYLING KATHRYN BORGLUND