Designed by Robert Towell in 2012, Coastal Lift bore all the hallmarks of his signature style: large expanses of glass and concrete, a soaring double-height living room and bold geometry that made the most of the pie-shaped lot. Originally built as a spec home, it had visual impact and strong bones, but as it was never truly occupied or cherished, it missed the imprint of a personal touch – the warmth and texture that
only comes once a house becomes a home.

The family who purchased it in 2021, however, immediately recognised its underlying strengths – the tranquil canal views, the drama of the soaring ceilings and the fluidity of its open-plan design. Even from overseas – pandemic restrictions limiting them to online viewings – they saw a foundation to be built upon; a home ready for its next chapter.

Rebuilding the Vision

It was never going to be a simple cosmetic refresh. Turning Coastal Lift into the family home they envisioned meant stripping it back to its bare bones, reconfiguring the floor plan, and extending the property to its maximum buildable square footage.

To ensure seamless continuity with the original architecture, they once again turned to its creator, Robert Towell, to evolve his own design for a new chapter of family living. By enclosing terraces, joining the once-detached garage to the main house, and building over single-storey sections to create extra bedrooms and bathrooms, they almost doubled the size of the property.

Design with Intention

Today, Coastal Lift spans 11,000 square feet, but although grand in scale, it exudes warmth and ease. Achieving this balance took two full years and a collaboration
of experts, but it was guided throughout by the owner’s clear vision and meticulous attention to detail.

“The house has a lot of glass and concrete,” he explains, “so I wanted to balance that with organic, natural elements – particularly wood – to give it warmth, and use earthy tones to offset the cool white.” He leaned into curves, rounded edges and soft textures to counter the straight lines and crisp angles of the architecture inside, and planted a profusion of palms, shade trees and shrubs outdoors to create a lush, completely private oasis.

“I put a lot of effort into choosing the materials as well as the colours, textures and furniture,” he adds. “Some things I sourced from Italy, but I was also able to find a lot on island.”

For the more specialised aspects – bespoke decorative pieces, custom millwork and technical drawings – he worked with interior designer Christina Noel, entrusting local craftsmen to turn her designs into elegant, built-in features.

The Heart of the Home

The result is a property that strikes a balance between sophistication and comfort – a place that is visually impressive yet infinitely welcoming. The huge open-plan living area captures this perfectly. Once a vast monochrome space, it now feels grounded yet graceful: oak panels warm the ceiling and an expansive, soft grey-green rug subtly zones the space. At its centre, a modular Poliform sofa unfolds in two directions – one side oriented towards the television, the other inviting conversation – creating two smaller, more intimate spaces, gently lifted by ochre and olive accents.

The kitchen breathes calm restraint. Here, there is no visual clutter to distract from the beauty of the materials: fine-grained hardwood cabinetry and natural travertine worktops with waterfall edges. This simple pairing is enhanced by three custom-made rope-wrapped pendants that hover in the double-height space, bringing the real drama when lit at night.

The earthy tones continue into the dining room, though here they feel richer. The showpiece is the one-of-a-kind curved bar – a prime example of custom design and craftsmanship – which combines dark wood and smoky antique mirrors with copper and brass accents for a touch of old-world glamour. The 14-seat glass and travertine dining table, surrounded by leather-cushioned chairs with curved backrests, sets the stage for long dinners and easy laughter.

Leisure Redefined

If the main living spaces embody refined elegance, the family room is a place
of leisure and play. Formerly the master suite, it has been reinvented as a space for downtime and togetherness. One half is dominated by a cinema-like 200-inch screen, with a deep and pillowy Cloud Sofa of similar proportions stretching out before it – perfect for laid-back lounging and immersive movie watching. The other half, a games and reading area, features beautiful bookcases displaying photos, mementoes and objets d’art set between floor-to-ceiling windows that frame jungle-like views.

“Our design challenge in this space was how to build in a TV the size of a wall and make it seamless,” Christina Noel explains. “The solution was to design a pale timber surround for the screen that would hide the wiring and equipment and then continue this wood into the bookcases to make the two areas blend seamlessly.”

Private Sanctuaries

Upstairs, serenity reigns. Pale tones, clean lines and natural light define the guest bedrooms, each featuring state-of-the-art smart beds with integrated roll-down screens, while bathrooms echo the same understated elegance: floating vanities, walk-in showers, soaking tubs and the cleanest of lines.

The master suite, occupying its own wing, is a private sanctuary. Here, a relaxed lounge area opens to a spacious bedroom bathed in natural light, which flows into a spectacular walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom to rival any spa. Despite the apparent simplicity, every detail speaks of quiet indulgence – the rich hardwood floors, the seamless large-format tiles, the backlit niches in the twin shower, and the calibre of every finish.

The Outside Story

Outdoors, the transformation is just as striking. What was once a more minimal, sun-exposed space has been completely reimagined for comfort and connection.

“When we purchased the house, there were black-painted panels inside and out. It had dark grey decking that was too hot to walk on, the pool was tiled in garish blue and white plastic, and the driveway was bare gravel,” the owner recalls.

Now, it is painted a soft off-white, detailed with hardwood cladding and framed by lush landscaping, with distinct zones designed to be enjoyed at different times of day.

The pool now shimmers a restful blue, offset by the earthy tones of engineered bamboo decking. Mature shade trees cast a dappled canopy over deep, cushioned armchairs and couches – a natural outdoor living room – while the covered terrace
features an array of comfortable outdoor sofas and chaise longues, perfect for reading or reflecting.

When the afternoon sun beats down on the pool deck, the east-facing spaces provide a shady retreat: another casual seating area – this one all white and cream tones – and a separate oval dining table for meals under moonlight.

Every inch of Coastal Lift now breathes ease, refinement and intention. Still bold in form yet softened by organic materials, warm colours and comforting contours, the home harmonises architectural drama with natural grace. It took vision, patience and determination – but what began as a house of glass and stone has evolved into a home with heart and soul.