Along a winding path, the coastal walk to Shelly Beach from Manly seeks changing views that capture the marine-protected Cabbage Tree Bay, the headland meeting the Pacific Ocean, and the iconic Fairy Bower Rockpool. Following the path, Bower Street is home to houses and apartments that relish its sea-sprayed location.
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It’s here that Bower Street Apartment by Christine Rose Design (CRD) evokes the feeling and emotions of living by the ocean, yet designed for permanence, longevity, and timelessness for a vibrant and design-conscious young family. “We wanted it to feel warm and deeply relaxed, inherently connected to the coastal setting, but without relying on beachy cliches of white and blue,” says director Christine Rose Collins.
Absorbing the essence of Manly’s ‘golden light’, weathered sandstone, and the deep coastal vegetation greens, the palette was intentionally restrained yet tactile. Warm travertine floors run throughout the apartment with a semi-filled finish to expose the natural voids and the textures, and the timber ceilings introduce an atmosphere and sensation that Christine shares, reminding her of sitting under the warm Australian sun.
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“Every material was selected because it reflects something in the surrounding environments… even the soft chalky feeling of the concrete benchtop. It reminds me of running your hand along the boardwalk balustrade down between Manly and Fairy Bower,” says the designer.
The black timber kitchen introduces depth and permanence, an anchor, adding richness and contrast, disrupting the expected narrative of coastal beachside interiors with light joinery. A mirrored splashback in the kitchen reflects the light that streams into the apartment throughout the day and invites ocean glimmers into the interiors.
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On the walls, hand-sponged render adds another layer of quiet texture and subtle movement while echoing the softness of the sand beyond. The golden light informed the wall paint hue, quarter-strength Hog Bristle, evoking the sun-washed luminous light, with the lighting mirroring the aesthetic. “We wanted to illuminate the finishes with a soft glow, and imprint ambience, celebrating texture,” muses Christine.
For the furniture selection, pieces were either custom designed by CRD and crafted by local craftspeople, such as the dining benches by woodworker Jarrah Wells, or curated vintage finds. “It almost became a bit of a treasure hunt where every object needed to feel as though it had a place in this journey and the outcome of this project,” adds Christine.
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Ultimately, the success of this project lies within trust and collaboration — delivered in just 12 weeks, decisions were resolved collaboratively on site, allowing it to feel like it evolved organically. “We had the clients who trusted the process,” says Christine. “Our builders, PBC Construction, cared deeply about the craftsmanship, and the trades were willing to workshop details until they felt resolved.”
With natural materials offering patina, Bower Street Apartment evolves into an interior full of soul and emotion — deeply connected to its landscape.