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Art of Relaxation
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By: Hannah Edwards, Issue 34 – Autumn 2008
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(Boyd’s Beach House - Culburra Beach, New South Wales, Australia)
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ARTHUR BOYD’S ERSTWHILE BEACH HOUSE PROVIDES INSPIRATION TO THE MOST WORK-WEARY SOUL.
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WAVES ARE CRASHING on windswept Culburra Beach, there’s a tang of salt spray in the fresh sea air, yellow-tail black cockatoos squeal overhead, and the bush-clad sand dunes are bathed in a soft golden light. It’s easy to see why iconic Australian artist Arthur Boyd chose this pretty and windswept hamlet on NSW’s South Coast, about two and a half hours drive from Sydney, as the location for his beach house. Hidden from view of beach-goers thanks to a giant undulating sand dune, the tri-level architect designed home, since sold by the Boyd family and beautifully renovated, is now available for short stays.
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Boyd divided his time between the beach house and his home at the historic sandstone mansion Bundanon tucked away in the leafy hinterland above Nowra, about a 30-minute drive away. He would travel to Culburra Beach for rest and artistic inspiration, building a raised platform in the garden so he could peer over the sand dune to the beach below and capture the images on canvas.
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Painted a purple-charcoal on the outside, the beach house is simply but stylishly furnished, described as minimalist by the current owner. In the large open plan living area, which takes up an entire floor and is lined with honey coloured plywood floors, there is a long navy leather couch perfect for collapsing into, a stainless steel topped sleek dining table with curved wooden chairs that seats six, and a heavy wood burning fire that provides gentle heat. The two bedrooms and sky-lit bathroom are on the lower level, but a short climb up a spiral staircase from the lounge leads to a lofty room with its own wooden deck with ocean views in one direction and bush and lagoon vistas in another.
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It’s a perfect spot for reading or lazing, and we lounge on the plush white couch before venturing out to the heavy wooden lounge chairs outside to soak up some sun and seabreeze.
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Boyd’s wooden painting platform remains and I use it each morning to gaze at the ocean, seeing if it is calm enough for a dip. We sip espresso coffees, watching whales breach out at sea while keen surfers harness the crashing waves hurtling towards the shore. And in the evenings it is the perfect spot for pre-dinner nibbles and a glass of red.
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The back garden is an undulating sand dune, studded with native coastal plants including purple flowering pigface, gnarled tea trees and golden wattles. A freshly laid wooden track curls up the dune from the house, past Boyd’s deck and towards the beach. It’s a bit of a scramble down to the waves but well worth it.
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Given the artistic history of the property, it’s nice to see art books and magazines stacked on the coffee table although some framed Boyd prints on a few walls would have been a nice touch. We leave Boyd’s Beach House feeling refreshed and suitably inspired. It’s amazing what a short stay at such a special spot can do for the city-weary body and mind – I’m sure Boyd would agree.
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Details:
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Boyd’s Beach House
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