Isn’t it so odd that holidays are often suffused with stress, frustration and, unhappily, homesickness? Retreat and relaxation is, paradoxically, high-stakes. So when the A+D community is asked to design the environments of our ‘downtime’, this is by no means a small undertaking. Whether for fun or for winding-down, the holiday requires ease and comfort to be the order of the day.

On the south coast of New South Wales, away from the bustling big smoke of the Sydney CBD, is a recently renovated holiday home that actually delivers on the fantastical dreams we hold for our vacations. Originally one of those truly Australian knock-em-up 1960s fibro weatherboard clad two-bedders, the Kiama home has retained a lot of the charm and character of the original structure, but has also given it a new lease on life. Dramatically transformed by the brains behind Minosa Design, the Kiama home now services the dream holidays of each individual member of a family of five (+ all of their slightly green-eyed, beach-towel-in-hand friends).

In a muted coastal tonal palette of bright whites, pastels and rich navy, the space is tied together with the feature incorporation of Mafi’s European oak flooring in brushed natural oil. Mafi are the only flooring supplier in Australia to guarantee wooden flooring installed directly onto the heated element. Forgiving to overexcited vacationers, and designed to last for generations, the Mafi floors make it absolutely vital that guests kick back, relax and get cosy. The only flooring supplier in Australia to guarantee wooden flooring installed directly onto the heated element, Mafi’s materials are 100% chemical free and are easy to care for with natural oil soap: an inspired inclusion for those after less time maintaining and more time holidaying.

Awarded the KBDi NSW Award: Kitchen Design (2015) the kitchen is quintessentially warm, inviting and laid back – perfect for those sprawling hours-long breakfasts in the sun. After a communal and unpretentious space to encourage everyone including family and guests to congregate, Minosa Design certainly delivered on the brief with a design that is robust and bold.

The Kiama holiday home is certainly enviable. Uniting the comfort of vacations with the practicality of everyday, the danger of this space is that maybe – just maybe – you’ll never let the holiday to end.