Herne Bay: Setting the scene

Owner Michael Revill has eradicated all evidence of the 1970s interior with a sophisticated, light-filled, indulgent makeover that draws on a streamlined, black and white design.

Among a handful of homes with beach access, this 1970s plain jane has been turned into a designer paradise befitting its magical position.

'With its svelte lines and designer fittings on three levels, it's almost like a huge city apartment.'

On the peaceful clifftop at Herne Bay, where the hot summer sun is fanned by gentle ocean breezes, it's just a few steps down to pure heaven - a slice of sandy shore framed by shaggy pohutukawa looking out to the endless blue harbour.

Designer Michael Revill discovered the apartment in a small, leafy enclave on the shoreline several years ago. Over the past three years he has progressively remodelled and substantially extended it, to create a big, contemporary city haven worthy of its exceptional setting.

Leaving no stone unturned, Revill has eradicated the evidence of the dated 1970s interiors with a chic makeover that draws on a streamlined, black and white design. The idea, he says, was to provide somewhere he could entertain with ease. And it works brilliantly, he assures.

The large, open-plan area on the second level has been worked so those in the kitchen and various sitting spaces can interact comfortably without being right on top of one another. The whole area faces north-west, spilling out to the sun on an elevated deck that spans the entire width of the room and steps down to the lawn.

Casual diners eat at the big, black, granite island bench, while Michael serves from the other side. The look is simple with white cabinetry and robust, square, aluminium handles to match the stainless-steel appliances, bar the white Smeg oven.

But it's more than just a place for Michael to impress with his entertaining prowess. For although it's ideal as an escape for a professional couple, there's an abundance of room for guests and grown-up children to stay without getting in each other's way. Two bedrooms on the ground floor are accessed through the large entry foyer, where an expanse of gleaming black floor tiles immediately generates a welcoming sense of volume. Both the downstairs bedrooms open through glass sliders to the garden, groomed on a terrace of crunchy riverstones a level below an enclosed lawn.

Currently used as an office, the third bedroom is behind the living area on the next level up. It overlooks the driveway, so Michael can watch as people come and go. Next door, a bathroom is a luxurious black and white affair with a free-standing Kaldewai bath. Ablutions are taken at a beautiful German hand-blown glass basin cupped on a delicate frame of stainless steel.

Not one to waste an opportunity, Michael didn't limit himself to the existing floorplate during the renovation. Spying a huge expanse to be utilised on the rooftop, he inserted a stairway through the middle of the living space. Pale timber stair treads encased in walls of glass, they don't hinder the visibility through the room or stop light from filtering to every corner.

Marching up to Michael's quarters, the stairs arrive in a luxuriously indulgent, open, light-filled area, large enough to call an apartment on its own. Lying in bed, he looks out to the harbour through an enormous window. On the other side of the room, doors open to the rooftop terrace - just the place for private summer parties.

And if guests are in the house, he doesn't have to share his living space. Everything he needs is in this lofty perch. A stunning bathroom fitted with stylish European bathroomware treats him to the ultimate designer bliss. Even when he's bathing, he can still keep an eye on the view through tall, vertical windows. On a slim plinth of European beech, two water vessels in the same timber invite a daily splash. And matching magnifying mirrors retract from the wall above.

With its svelte lines and designer fittings on three levels, it's almost like a huge city apartment. Except it's on the coast, just five minutes from the CBD and with its own beach - plus there's parking galore.