Although construction of Cordial Cay was completed in 2020, it had not been truly finished. Nonetheless, the couple who purchased the property from the developer could see its potential. Designed by Simon Nicholls of COAST Architects, it had fine bones – clean lines, generous gathering spaces, and open vistas – and the eight bedrooms would accommodate their extended family easily. The position, right on the shores of Providenciales’ renowned Grace Bay beach, offering perfect sunset views, was also hard to beat.

To turn it into the welcoming, contemporary beach house they wanted, the owners returned to the original architect to tweak the layout and maximise the exterior spaces, and enlisted Design Studio to lead the interior redesign.

On a practical level, the couple were keen to ensure there was space for the whole family to not only sleep but also eat, relax, and play together. As well as several large gathering spaces, they wanted smaller, more intimate corners to which small groups and individuals could escape. And on the aesthetic side, they wanted to create an elegant home, that celebrated the oceanfront location, without being overtly ‘beachy’.

It was a case of fixing what was broken – a plain and uninspiring living room, an unremarkable kitchen, dated furniture and a neglected exterior – but leaving the elements that did work – the shady terraces, large pool, spacious living room, and the majority of the ensuite bedrooms.

The vast open-concept kitchen, dining and living room, which spans 44 feet and features fully pocketing glass doors that open up to merge with the pool terrace, was one of the main challenges for lead interior designers Heidi Westcott and Michelle Butler.

“The space is huge and previously had little in it other than a sectional sofa and a fairly modest dining table,” Heidi says. “The challenge was to fill this space, while keeping it uncluttered.”

The kitchen itself received a complete makeover. Open shelves were replaced with glossy white and hardwood cabinetry that concealed appliances and the unsightly extractor hood. The long timber-clad island was also redesigned, with a hardwood ledge surrounding the white Caesarstone countertop, to create a convivial bar with seating around two sides.

A simple but stylish dining table with chairs upholstered in fresh white met the owners’ desire for that all-important shared dining space, and the two Moooi steel mesh chandeliers brought in that sought-after touch of luxury, Heidi says.

To make the seating area more inviting, a blank white wall was clad in Ipe hardwood, with a cut-out framing a wall-mounted TV, and next to it, a wet bar, where gorgeous Walker Zanger mosaic tiles and glass and brass shelves inject more glamour. Palecek swivel chairs and a Rene Cazera sectional sofa in dove grey arranged around a coffee table now make this a warm, sociable space, with subtle ocean-blue accents that are a nod to its location.

While the four bedrooms on the upper level only needed a little updating, the master bedroom on the ground floor was extended out onto the pool deck to give it a private patio and a new bathroom designed in cool, white marble.

The deep overhangs directly outside the living room provided plenty of potential for shaded gathering spaces, but the areas at either end of the pool were under-utilised. To give the owners the multiple seating, lounging and dining areas they desired, Design Studio replaced the dated teak patio furniture with modern, minimalist pieces featuring sleek lines, soft curves and crisp white tones, and designed and commissioned an oval concrete dining table for shared meals outdoors.

At one end of the pool, adjacent to the pristine sandy beach, a fire pit was installed on the deck, with white cushioned armchairs and sofas arranged around it. At the other end of the pool, the existing covered barbecue area was reinvented as a complete outdoor bar and grill, and stairs were added to access the flat roof above it. This was then furnished with another intimate seating arrangement, resulting in the ultimate sunset viewing deck.

Although the property had been rushed to completion by the developer, the owners and designers have since taken the time to give this property the finish it deserved. The once bare rooms have been thoughtfully furnished and tastefully decorated and the expansive outdoor spaces have realised their full potential. Hardwood panelling and cladding indoors and out lends it a distinct aesthetic and combines perfectly with the pale colour palette to create a calm, inviting ambiance. And over this, occasional ocean hues, subtle sea-themed artworks and accessories inspired by marine life, ensure a connection between the property and its seaside location is maintained.

Inside and out, Cordial Cay now embodies elegant, coastal living with décor and styling that complements its fine architecture and prime position.