Catho beach house

Deirdre and Michael were looking for a holiday getaway on the beach, not too far from their Sydney home and with enough space for the entire family. Their Nova 38 MOJO Home in Catherine Hill Bay fits the bill perfectly.

We’ve always had a family holiday house,” Deirdre reminisces fondly. “I have two brothers and a sister, and we used to holiday together. Catherine Hill Bay reminded us of family holidays we spent on the South coast, there’s a similar community feel and it’s just an 80-minute drive from our house in Sydney.

“We were one of the original buyers, when the land was first released, and we didn’t know what our block was going to look like. We knew the size of it, but we didn’t know the slope or if we’d have a view. It was a bit of real estate potluck really,” she laughs.

It took four years before all the infrastructure was in place and they could start the build. The couple used the time well and weighed up various options. “We had initially looked at building with MOJO Homes but at the time, they didn’t have a design that fit our requirements.

“We then looked at a custom design, but the building costs were too high, so we went back to MOJO, who had now added a larger design option, giving us everything we wanted.”

A flexible floorplan

Deirdre is an interior designer and had a very clear vision for the layout of their new holiday abode.
“Having the master suite downstairs was key. That way, when it’s just the two of us, we have everything on the same level. When our children or friends come to stay, we use the upper level.”

The home offers plenty of space for everyone with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room, a second living area upstairs and three separate outdoor spaces.

“What really sealed the deal for us with MOJO was their flexibility. They turned the space designated for a home theatre and study into our master suite with a walk-through wardrobe and ensuite bathroom.
“They bumped out a wall and switched solid glass for louvres in the staircase windows. Upstairs, I swapped the location of a bedroom with a living area to capture the ocean views and added a balcony
“Everything I asked, they were quite happy to accommodate,” Deirdre says.

“The original design of the Nova 38 is for a primary residence. But we wanted it as a holiday home, so our needs were a little different and they made it all happen which was fantastic.

“Colour was a big thing for me,” she adds, pointing to the wonderfully delicate, powdery shade of blue of her square, oversized kitchen island base.

“It’s in a Dulux colour called Elizabeth Blue and was a custom feature. We were also able to do our own flooring. MOJO left the skirtings off and we laid oak style timber flooring in a herringbone pattern.
“I knew what I wanted and was impressed by the selection of fixtures and finishes on offer. And even if wanted something that wasn’t part of the standard range, the cost of the upgrade was quite reasonable.”

Getting the family together

Deirdre chose the round dining table in the open plan, main living area to optimally use the space. It easily seats 10 people. Along with the adjacent alfresco spaces, the couple can accommodate up to 18 guests. “That’s what happened at Christmas, there were 18 of us and we all had a spot to sit,” she laughs.

The Experts

For more information on MOJO’s versatile range of home designs go to MOJOhomes.com.au or visit one of their five display locations across the Hunter and Central Coast, including HomeWorld in Thornton
and a brand-new display centre in Lochinvar.

Read more in our Summer Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.

Story by Cornelia Schulze, photography by Joshua Hogan