Home Tour: A Resort-Style Sanctuary by the Sea

With its golden sand, coveted surf breaks and laid-back energy, Curl Curl on the Northern Beaches of Sydney has a magnetic energy — sun-soaked and easy-going, like summer on repeat.  

It’s the kind of place where barefoot locals wander the streets, and entering the neighbourhood feels like stepping into a perpetual holiday. 

That’s precisely the feeling CM Studio wanted to bottle up in their transformation of Molong House, a five-bedroom family home that blurs the lines between everyday living and resort-style retreat. 

A Home That Feels Like a Holiday

Designed for a young family of four and their dog, the brief from the outset was clear. “We wanted the home to feel like a holiday villa, have a beautiful flow from indoors to outdoors, but feel really protected and private,” Mark Rowlands, Commercial Director at architecture firm CM Studio, explains.  

The team have created a sun-drenched, soul-soothing sanctuary that taps into the beachside charm of its surroundings while embracing a quietly luxurious escape from the world outside. Despite its breezy aesthetic, Molong House was built with serious backbone. Thanks to its exposed coastal vantage point, every material choice needed to weather the elements.  

“The home is built in a way that it has real strength on site,” says Mark. “It was imperative that it could withstand a strong southerly and still allow the family to use the home, flow from indoors to outdoors, and life would be uninterrupted.” 

CM Studio leaned into its signature palette of natural, tactile materials to bring the family’s resort-style concept to life. “We always work with a layered natural palette,” Mark says.  

“We wanted to explore deeper timber tones and layer up the stones with soft tumbled edges, beautiful bronze veining in the marble, hand-made terracotta tiles. We also use a lot of soft plaster in a beautiful putty tone. We like creating spaces and homes that are hard-wearing and functional but tactile and feel really grounded and soft,” he adds.  

Built to Last, Designed to Glow

Drenched in natural light thanks to its north-facing rear, the property balances openness with privacy. “The southern side has the coastal view, but we controlled the openings out to the view, so the home still feels so private from the street,” Mark shares.  

Upstairs, the bedrooms on the first floor are serene and private. “While they are open to the void space and living below, they feel secluded and separated from the public spaces.”

Meanwhile, a guest pavilion tucked into the garden offers visiting friends and family their own private area. 

And then there’s the pool — a dazzling metallic masterpiece that delivers serious wow-factor and a lot of fun. “The clients have young children, and like many families, entertaining and being around the pool is key,” Mark says. “The slide was a special element for the kids, and it’s been a real hit!” 

Sustainability was baked into the build from day one, with solar panels, multiple batteries, rainwater retention and double-glazed windows integrated seamlessly into the design.

“Rainwater retention is a must — we always set this up with the garden watering,” Mark explains. “And because we have so much glazing, double-glazing was used to improve the performance of the glass.” 

Designed for the Living

With a clear distinction between public and private zones, the layout champions both connection and calm. “The site allowed us to create some beautiful spaces for the family to come together with friends and entertain, along with calm private spaces that allow for quiet contemplation,” says Mark.

“With the renewed focus on lifestyle and wellness, it’s important for us to create calm and considered spaces for people to retreat to and recharge.”

That connection to lifestyle is what makes Molong House feel so special. “The clients have a very outdoor-focused lifestyle — always enjoying the sun, swimming, surfing,” says Mark.

“The house is set up so if you walk back from the beach, you can come into the home easily, drop off your sandy beach stuff, and head out to the outdoor shower or jump in the pool.”

Mark says the clients were a dream to work with, and one of the most rewarding moments came after the project wrapped. “Visiting the family once they were living in the home, seeing how it operated and how they were able to enjoy the spaces created for them — that’s what we’re most proud of.”

Project Credits

• Architect: CM Studio @cmstudio 
• Builder: Bau Group Construction @baugroupconstruction 
• Photographer: Anson Smart @smartanson 
• Joinery: Saltwater @saltwaterjoinery 
• Landscape Design: Dangar Barin Smith @dangarbarinsmith 
• Word: Bella Brennan @bellarosebrennan 

Loved our tour of this soul-soothing sanctuary and want more stylish home inspiration? Take a peek at this rural hillside haven or this sky-high sanctuary in Sydney’s Darling Point.