A turnkey coastal retreat designed for real holiday living, not careful living.

Project Overview

Purchased completely vacant, The Barefoot Sophisticate was conceived as a turnkey coastal retreat for a time-poor client seeking immediate enjoyment without compromise. DMP Creative was engaged to fully furnish, style and deliver the home end-to-end, transforming an empty shell into a refined, ready-to-use holiday residence.

The scope extended beyond furniture alone, encompassing bedding, linens, towels, select appliances, gym equipment, artwork and decorator curation, along with full procurement, delivery and installation. The brief was simple: make it feel finished, effortless and genuinely relaxing from day one.

Design Story

Purchased completely vacant, The Barefoot Sophisticate was conceived as a turnkey coastal retreat for a busy business owner with two teenage children and limited time to manage the countless decisions required to bring a holiday home together. DMP Creative was engaged to fully furnish, style and deliver the home end-to-end, transforming an empty property into a relaxed, ready-to-use escape that could be enjoyed immediately.

The project unfolded in two considered phases. An initial fast-tracked procurement focused on bedrooms and outdoor areas, ensuring the home was functional in time for upcoming school holidays. Once the immediate needs were met, there was scope to refine the broader design direction and complete the interior with a more layered and cohesive approach. Throughout both stages, speed remained a priority, with insider knowledge guiding supplier selection and clever substitutions made where long lead times would have slowed progress.

Materiality was approached with durability front of mind. With teenagers, sandy feet, wet bathers and coastal living firmly part of the brief, finishes and furnishings were selected to withstand real holiday use rather than require constant upkeep. Natural linens, travertine accents and tan leather were layered through the home alongside a grounded palette of muted sage greens, rusts and ocean blues. These elements softened the existing modern, urban interior while creating a relaxed coastal atmosphere that felt robust, comfortable and genuinely liveable.

The result is a home that balances refinement with practicality. Calm, confident and effortless, it’s a space designed to be enjoyed rather than fussed over — exactly as a holiday home should be.