Panoramic ocean and marina views and a range of dining and entertainment options within walking distance inspired Neil and Annette Irvine to secure an apartment in a new luxury complex at Mandurah Ocean Marina.
Mr and Mrs Irvine are among the first occupants of The Moorings, a five-level, high-end apartment building on a prime north-facing site in the marina's South Harbour, and they already love the lifestyle it offers.
The couple are using the apartment as a weekender and say it's the perfect place to relax when they are not enjoying the views and lifestyle at their main residence - at the Raffles complex in Applecross.
"I love being so close to the river at the Raffles and at Mandurah I love being able to look out to the ocean and marina," Mrs Irvine said.
For Mr Irvine, who owns and runs Rapid Crushing, a rock crushing company, the travelling time between Perth and Mandurah makes it the perfect respite at the end of the week.
"As soon as I get down here I feel like I'm on hoiday, yet we are only 45 minutes from home," Mr Irvine said.
Outside, The Moorings has been
designed to mimic the lines of a luxury ocean liner, with cantilevered balconies, curved awnings to reflect ocean waves and a vertical fin between curved balconies at one corner representing a ship's bow.
The Irvines left the interior decorating of their light-filled third-floor apartment to Sharon Cheetham, of Furniture Fitouts.
Ms Cheetham selected every item - from the white leather lounge suite and white lacquered tables to the bedroom suites and linen, artwork and homewares, and even the bucket and mop in the laundry.
"When we saw the display apartment at The Moorings we were really impressed with the way it had been furnished - Sharon's taste is exactly like ours," Mr Irvine said.
In the light-filled entry, a textured canvas in shades of cream hangs above a walnut console, which holds a pair of metal tree sculptures. Shell mosaics on a tall boxed lampshade add a glow.
Halls to the left and right lead past minor bedrooms furnished in a subtle, uncluttered style. In one bedroom, a monochromatic, striped contemporary painting echoes the linen on the white lacquered bed. The other bedroom
has a double-stitched chocolate leather bed, oversized spherical smoked glass bases on a pair of lamps, and framed painted glass tiles with a floral motif, to complement the leaf pattern of the bedding.
In the living room and dining area, two stone horse-head bookend reflect Mr Irvine's passion for horseracing. A striking stylised harp ornament sits at one of the TV console.
Two big modern canvases imported from China, like the artwork in the entry, provide focal points on the walls, and a shaggy rug in shades of grey complements the padded white leather lounge suite and glossy white coffee table and console.
The dining table and chairs are also white lacquer and leather, and a buffet and shelf unit house decorator items that include sprays of almon blossom in a tall vase.
The resort-style main suite has water views and balcony access from the sleeping area and in the ensuite, square china basins overhang the deep granite-topped vanity unit and the oval spa is set below bi-fold shutters.
On the balcony, a white wicker sofa set and two chaises longue provide the ideal place to sit and watch the boats go by.