Created as a short-stay accommodation with all the warmth and comfort of a permanent home, the project balances high-end design with a relaxed, beachside sensibility. It’s a space that invites stillness, encouraging guests to pause, breathe, and feel grounded in their environment.
“The land itself was a huge inspiration,” Claire shares. “There’s so much greenery surrounding the property – it feels incredibly calm. I wanted that same feeling to be echoed in the interiors.”
With that goal in mind, Larritt-Evans curated a soft, natural palette that reflects the tones of the local landscape – warm woodgrain, gentle linens, and finishes that bring texture without noise. At the heart of the home is polytec Boston Oak Woodmatt, which was selected to anchor the joinery with natural warmth and a refined, consistent grain that works beautifully across multiple applications.
With a clear design vision but no prior experience using polytec, Larritt-Evans approached the material selection process with careful consideration. A visit to polytec’s Melbourne Selection Studio became the turning point. Surrounded by full-sized displays and large-format samples, she was able to see and touch the product at scale - appreciating how the matt finish and grain design of Boston Oak Woodmatt would carry across different lighting conditions and angles.
“Being able to experience large format samples was a game changer,” Claire says. “Instantly, I had confidence in the product, structure, and look.”
This tactile experience, paired with support from the polytec team, gave Claire the assurance she needed to incorporate the product throughout the home’s key areas. polytec’s Topiary Smooth was also used in the laundry, further connecting to nature. The result is joinery that feels intentional, harmonious, and effortlessly integrated with the surrounding palette.
One of the project’s standout features is the custom handle detail, which was carefully crafted using Boston Oak Woodmatt. Rather than opting for traditional hardware, Claire’s joiner created an integrated pull by combining two polytec components: a flat 16mm door front and a bevelled section flipped upside down, dowelled and glued into place. The entire top edge was then edged for a seamless finish – showcasing the craftsmanship of this project.
From concept to completion, Nerissa is a space built on detail and a respect for its setting. Every material, every joinery decision, and every custom feature works in harmony to support the home’s quiet beauty. The use of polytec Boston Oak Woodmatt and Topiary Smooth not only elevates the design visually, but also reinforces its tactile, welcoming tone, bringing an added layer of quality to this home.
