LAKES Lumière

A lakeside home with a heavenly view has been reinvigorated by seasoned renovators Zoe and Dane Cartwright to create a calming retreat for holidaymakers on NSW’s South Coast.

at a glance

LAKESIDE LUXURY

This immaculately renovated residence sleeps 10, overlooking Lake Conjola and features three alfresco entertaining areas, making it ideal for lazy days by the water.

264m2 3 3 1

From the deck of this holiday house, the water of Lake Conjola shimmers through the branches of native trees lining the shore. The home’s private water frontage is what bewitched Zoe and Dane Cartwright the first time they saw it. “We discovered the property by chance after enjoying a lovely weekend on the water with friends and family,” Zoe explains.

They bought it in December 2020 and carried out an extensive renovation with their South Coast build, design and landscape company, Projection Build. The idea was to custom-design it as a holiday property, Lumière Lakes, inspired by their own home, Lumière House, in Mangerton. “We wanted somewhere low-maintenance that could be easily rented on the holiday property market while we weren’t using it – built to entertain and host, like a secluded waterfront resort.”

Lake Conjola is part of the Shoalhaven region of NSW, an area offering visitors a diverse range of attractions – from watersports such as skiing, kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake, to bushwalks, cycle tracks, restaurants, wineries and a coastline of excellent surf beaches.

Zoe and Dane’s redesign worked with existing elements of the home and orientated entertaining areas and windows to take in the beautiful view of the lake. Key to the revamp was maximising the block’s long square footage, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle that lent itself to year-round family and group entertaining through the addition of multiple alfresco areas.

“With an open plan living, dining and butlers pantry, the home flows onto a large deck with a 10-seater entertainer’s table and lounge area around a fireplace. Stepping down off the terrace, we built a fully equipped outdoor entertainer’s kitchen and BBQ, with a large dining table and chairs, bar fridge and additional bathroom, perfect for the kids to run in from the water and clean off. This alfresco area sits overlooking the water, beside a level grassed area, great for playing with the family. Further down towards the water’s edge, on top of a boatshed, is our third entertainer’s > area, including fire pit and lounge area, and another dining space, ideal for long lunches and sunset dinners. The water’s edge is fully grassed, nestled under the trees and perfect for a lakeside picnic,” Zoe explains. “With room to sleep up to 10, we wanted to ensure we could comfortably fit larger groups without it feeling too cramped, whether staying or visiting.”

Inside, the mood is airy, soothing and elegant. “We appreciate the importance of light-filled, calming, warm, resort-style living,” says Zoe. “I wanted to use natural timbers, raw earthy stones and linens to create a relaxed holiday vibe. We went out to our favourite local suppliers to help us source these products.”

The home’s front entryway is flanked by king bedrooms, followed by a “kids’ cave” with custom-built bunk beds – a savvy choice that allows the home to comfortably sleep two families. The main ensuite and guest bathroom are serene cocoon-like spaces with fluted stone tiles and curved lines. And in the open-plan living and kitchen area, a generous breakfast bar invites languid chats over food and drink, while a galley-style butler’s pantry is a stylish and practical addition.

Throughout the house, the interplay between curved lines and the geometry of raked ceilings and skylights cultivates feelings of flow and balance. This harmonious aesthetic is echoed in soft furnishings and a restrained colour palette of warm beige, stone, timber and crisp white.

For Zoe, the best spot in the house is outside, soaking in the view of the lake. “Enjoying an afternoon drink around the fire at the water’s edge, watching the sunset and the boats go by, is something very special.” lumiere-collective.com.au

@lumiere_collective