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Let’s Escape to The Ambers in Port Stephens | A Five-Acre Canvas of Warmth and Soul

The Ambers: Instagram

Builder & Architect: Green Build Contructions

Photography: Nat Spada

Picture a sparkling pool under swaying palm trees nestled in a breath-taking five-acre estate. Introducing The Ambers: a luxurious family home transformed into the ultimate resort-style getaway in Port Stephens. We’re not overstating when we say that this home is a complete dream, with minimalist magic and supreme tactility that creates a sanctuary for cherished moments.

Originally built in 1989 by Matt and Catherine Bliss as a home for their growing family, The Ambers has an inspiring backstory at the foundations of the stunning transformation. The renovation was a true collaborative effort, with the entire family working closely together alongside the design team to bring the vision to life. Greenbuild’s in-house architecture team carefully crafted the structural elements, while their skilled joinery team, Bliss Kitchens & Joinery, created bespoke fittings, and designers Lauren Charge and Jenn Bliss drew on their extensive renovation and design experience to manage all selections and styling details.

Creating a space that invites guests to unwind and connect, the design reflects the spirit of The Ambers as a playful yet sophisticated sanctuary. So, why not vicariously escape into the calming retreat of earthy and elevated hues? Let’s explore The Ambers and visit the most stunning features of the home.

There’s no doubt that as soon as you walk in, the palette sets the mood. For us interior design lovers, it’s the colours of complete comfort and elegance. Staying grounded in nature, the hues of soft clay, linen white, and pale oak are sophisticated and soothing. Warm amber hues, honeyed timbers, and natural stone come together in harmony, creating beautiful design that flows seamlessly from one space to the next. Sunlight filters through sheer curtains, softening the golden tones and casting a gentle glow across the textured surfaces. It’s a home that feels both grounded and elevated, warm yet refined, and contemporary yet timeless.

The rooms at The Ambers unfold with a sense of ease, where arched openings and layered materials create a rhythm that feels almost sculptural. Natural light dances through the space, catching the texture of the walls and the sheen of hand-selected finishes. It’s minimalist style, but every surface, tone, and detail adds to the home’s unique sense of warmth and soul.

At the heart of the home, the kitchen and dining areas become a true statement. The island anchors the space, balanced by textured cabinetry and soft, curved archways that echo throughout the house. It’s a kitchen designed for connection, hosting sunlit evenings, the kind where you bathe in the glow of soft, golden light. To complement the colours and textures, the tiling underfoot gives the space a grounding tactility, while brass fixtures add a gentle hint of luxury.

In the bathrooms, you can’t help but be drawn to the smooth stone basins and soft neutral tiles, alongside the brushed brass tapware that gleams subtly against the muted backdrop. Not to mention the bath of dreams! It’s the kind of space that feels like a true sanctuary within the home, perfect to relax following long days by the sparkling pool and lingering, sunlit evenings.

Talking about the sparkling pool, we have to talk about the outdoor area at The Ambers. If there’s ever a place to get us excited about summer approaching, it’s the outdoor oasis with curved stone edges and lush greenery that frames the glistening pool. The outdoor bar continues the theme of arches and muted colours, with the same essence of inviting simple joy as a space is designed to be lived in. There’s a resort-style flow from the inside of the home to the outside space, and it captures the essence of relaxed luxury that is effortlessly inviting.

We know, it’s a place that sounds like a fictional getaway. Luckily for us, it’s very much real and feels like the epitome of inspiration for a vibrant, inviting retreat. With an inspiring back story and stunning design, The Ambers is more than a home, but a canvas of warmth and soul.

If you have a vision for a swoon-worthy retreat like The Ambers, create a mood board and use Project Studio to bring the idea to life.