When James and Mel purchased the block at 16 Penarth Avenue, Beaumont in 2020, the couple was determined to build a home worthy of the location.

Having previously lived in a property built and designed by Lares Homes, they knew they were the people to take on the project.

“This home was very much custom-built to fit this particular block and the main feature of this house is the indoor swimming pool,” James says.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home was completed in November of 2022 with its most striking feature being the many large windows that seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor living.

“Because of the pool, we wanted to have a lot of glass, particularly in the living area that runs alongside the swimming pool,” James says.

“The pool is wet-edge, which means the water level is the same as the ground. Because it is all flat, sitting in the living room it is very cool looking across to the water at the same level as you.”

The home’s entrance boasts three-metre-high ceilings and a two-metre walkway to create a gallery feel.

The master bedroom is a private oasis situated on the ground floor with a wraparound window overlooking the front lawn and a private courtyard with a water feature and luscious plants.

The walk-in-wardrobe flaunts JAG cabinetry and leads to an ensuite with large, Italian tiles and wraparound, ceiling-height windows that allow plenty of sunshine and privacy.

With three built-in bookcases and access to a private courtyard, what would be a traditional study has transformed into a sunlit library where Mel spends her time writing.

“Mel had a bit of a career change,” James says. “She is a lawyer, but she has always wanted to write and she has now written and self-published four books.

“They’re fiction books about a teenage sleuth; kind of like a modern-day Nancy Drew.”

Stepping into the open-plan living space at the back of the home reveals floor-to-ceiling windows and the indoor swimming pool – all accompanied by unobstructed views of the landscaped yard.

“The home is two-storey, but the ground floor is split-level so you step up five stairs to reach the open living and dining area.

“We wanted it to feel as though the pool was in the living room. The tiles in the living room are the same as those surrounding the pool, so you do get a sense that it is all one room because of the glass wall.

“There is a terrace area where you can sunbathe beside cumquat trees in large, irrigated pots and on the other side of the living room is a paved outdoor courtyard that is slightly raised.”

This all surrounds the heart of the home – the kitchen – with its custom JAG cabinetry, Caesarstone benchtops and Miele appliances.

“When we bought the block back in 2020, our son was living with us. In the time the home was built he has found the love of his life and gotten married, so they’ve moved into a place of their own,” James says.

“It is a pretty large house for just two people, so it is more just this change in circumstances why we are leaving.”

While living in the home, James and Mel made the most of it, hosting a wedding celebration for their son and daughter-in-law on the property.

“There would have been around 100 people attending and it was no problem.”

“It is a great home for entertaining; you can have a pool party and there is an easy flow between indoors and outdoors.”

Entertaining is made seamless with a completely automated system that can control the air conditioning, security, blinds, sound system and irrigation from a mobile phone.

Although sad to depart, James and Mel are eager to have a home built for just the two of them.

“We built this house which we thought we would be staying in for a bit longer, but yeah, it’s just a big house for two people.” 

The sale is being handled by Sharyn Yelland and Amy Von Frattner of Giordano & Partners.