Rye re-imagined beach house and fashion shoot location becomes viral star for buyers who just wanna have sun

Named Dune Beach House, 97 Avon Road, Rye, is an Australian take on a Danish-style summer house. Picture: Zak van den Boom/Pretty in Palms.

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A re-imagined, retro beach house so stylish that it has its own Instagram account is turning heads on the Mornington Peninsula.

The home 97 Avon Rd, Rye, named Dune Beach House as a nod to the nearby back beach, has more than 1200 followers on its social media profile.

Owner Matthew Talbot says the Insta account was even seen by scouts from a business that provides locations for photoshoots and television commercials, Photoloco.

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As a result, the house has since starred in campaigns for homewares and fashion labels including Adairs, Kip & Co and Sage & Clare.

When Talbot and his partner Talal aren’t enjoying the residence as a retreat from Melbourne, it serves as a short-term rental accommodation business.

“It has made nearly $100,000 in a year with Airbnb and photo shoots,” Talbot said.

It’s a far cry from when he first inspected the circa-1970s house, about two years ago.

“When we purchased it, it was needing a lot of love and TLC,” Talbot said.

“It has got so much character, I knew when I saw it that it had potential.”

Soaring cathedral ceilings for guests to sit below. Picture: Zak van den Boom/Pretty in Palms.

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Enjoy the sun on the outdoor deck. Picture: Zak van den Boom/Pretty in Palms.

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Owner Matthew Talbot and his partner Talal “put a lot of detail into experiencing the house”. Picture: Zak van den Boom/Pretty in Palms.

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As the head of construction and visual merchandising in Australia and New Zealand for global fashion and lifestyle company Hugo Boss, a role in which he oversees the build and fit-out of new stores, Talbot’s skills came to the fore during Dune Beach House’s five-month-long renovation.

Both he and Talal were involved in the design, hands-on labour and landscaping the 884sq m block.

“I love something that has got character and is beautiful, and breathing new life back into it,” Talbot said.

He adds that they wanted to retain the three-bedroom house’s original feel, with the reno project inspired by a Danish summer house, or sommerhus – traditionally small abodes with wooden facades.

The house’s very own Instagram is named dune_beach_house. Picture: Zak van den Boom/Pretty in Palms.

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The block features a coastal-inspired garden. Picture: Zak van den Boom/Pretty in Palms.

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The house is close to the Number Sixteen beach, coastal walking tracks, shops, cafes and the Dunes and Moonah Links golf courses. Picture: Zak van den Boom/Pretty in Palms.

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Built from cedar wood, with timber-lined cathedral ceilings and wooden floorboards, Dune Beach House’s kitchen looks out to the front deck.

Downstairs features a central living and dining space, sitting and reading room with a wood and gas fireplace, two bedrooms, bathroom with a claw foot tub and laundry.

The upstairs mezzanine level is equipped with the main bedroom suite, a living space, ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and two balconies with treetop views.

“The whole place is very peaceful, you can hear the waves crashing,” Talbot said

He and Talal also renovated the separate guesthouse containing a bathroom, kitchen and dining facilities and a double carport.

It’s also a short stroll to the surf. Picture: Zak van den Boom/Pretty in Palms.

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Inside the one-bedroom guesthouse that is separate to the main home. Picture: Zak van den Boom/Pretty in Palms.

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The main house’s hi-tech inclusions in a touch pad to gain entry and a smart home technology system that can remotely switch on the airconditioning, lights and sprinklers.

Dune Beach House’s furniture and short-rental accommodation business will be offered as an additional package for interested buyers.

The house has a $1.49m-$1.639m asking range.

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