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Surf's up
A desire to live as if they were on one long holiday was the inspiration for this family's resort-style Bondi home. Photo: Jennifer Soo
The home A renovated semi in the bustling heart of Bondi Beach. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, its modern, airy design makes it feel like a glamorous resort.
Who lives here Eugene Tan, photographer behind the blog and photo gallery Aquabumps, wife Debbie and sons, Jet, 4, and Spike, 2.
What we did "We wanted a home where we could live like we were on holiday," explains Debbie. "We wanted that inside-outside Balinese feel." The couple hired architect Kelvin Ho, designer of Justin Hemmes' hip restaurants Coogee Pavilion and Papi Chulo, to create their dream home. Ho created a vast living space with two walls of sliding glass doors that open to a covered deck, surrounded by tropical strelitzias and bamboo. With the neighbours' approval, Eugene planted seven-metre-high bamboo along one side of their fence providing total seclusion. "Bondi's so intense ... we wanted privacy," he says.
Favourite room "The living area," says Debbie. "We open up the sliding doors in summer and in winter we close them, put on the Jetmaster fire and it feels cosy."
The 'hood "I like the energy of Bondi," says Eugene. "I'm a surfer and I've dedicated my life to the beach."
Future plans "We want to create a green wall along our side fence that's full of ivy," says Debbie.
