A weekend escape with Elyse Knowles #1
Model Elyse Knowles spent a weekend relaxing on the NSW Central Coast with her partner Josh Barker, where they got to experience one of the region’s most phenomenal beach side holiday homes at Forresters beach.
As a leading Australian model, reality television star, fashion designer, writer, brand ambassador and environmentalist, Elyse Knowles has built a stellar career using old fashioned hard work and her entrepreneurial instinct.
As big brands clamber to work with Elyse, she finds herself as an ambassador for Myer, Land Rover and TAG Heuer, as well as the face of Aveda. She has now garnered an enviable position where she can pick and choose her partnerships and work with brands that align with her personal ethos.
But the Byron Bay based fashion icon is about to embark on her biggest challenge yet – the birth of her first child. In an adorable Instagram post, Elyse and Josh Barker announced that they are expecting their first baby, due in March 2021.
The busy couple, who won Channel Nine’s The Block back in 2017, recently enjoyed a well-deserved break on the Central Coast, staying at one of Belle Escapes most stunning beach side holiday houses.
Having experienced some morning sickness during the first trimester, it was perfect timing for Elyse to enjoy a bit of relaxation in an idyllic location.
“Josh and I usually camp, so to stay in a beautiful luxury home is a real treat for us, it is very calming,” she told Central Coast Life & Style magazine.
“When I travel like this, I love to arrive, unpack my clothes, make myself at home and then relax, which is unheard of for us.”
Taking a 7.5 hour road trip from Byron Bay, the couple arrived to be greeted by a striking sunset. A palette of pink, purple and blue framed a remarkable sky above the beach house, which is located adjacent to sand dunes along ruggedly beautiful Forresters Beach.
The home, called Waters Edge at Forresters, is a truly phenomenal property offered by Belle Escapes, a premium holiday house brand that specialises in concierge services designed to deliver luxury and a personalised service to guests.
Upon arrival, Elyse and Josh were fervent with excitement. This dream home boasts understated luxury and panoramic ocean views, with floor to ceiling glass and sweeping 180 degrees views across one of the coast’s most incredible vistas.
“We had no preconceived ideas about the location or what the house was going to be like, but we were blown away with what we found,” Elyse said.
“We especially loved having private access to the beach, over the rolling grass hills. There’s a beautiful room downstairs for everyone to chill – perfect for visiting friends or family, where you can open up all the glass doors to entertain with a barbecue or a picnic.”
The couple are both architecture and interior design enthusiasts. Since winning The Block, Elyse and Josh have started a building business of their own, J&E Projects, while simultaneously becoming promising investors in the Australian property market. This creative couple have a keen interest and eye for details when it comes to home renovations and styling.
“We explored the property and had a good look around, looking at the way the house has been designed to capitalise on the natural light, airflow and access to the beach. We like taking into consideration all those elements of a build,” Elyse said.
Designed by prominent architect Darren Tye, the newly built Waters Edge at Forresters was constructed with the view as a focal point. To stand anywhere in the house feels like being wrapped in the ocean.
Upstairs you’ll find a chic modern kitchen overlooking a spacious and airy lounge, with dining area that opens to a large deck with barbecue. The blackbutt ceiling and panoramic ocean views are breathtaking.
Downstairs there are four beautifully designed coastal bedrooms (three with ocean views and the fourth with a garden view). In addition, there’s a huge alfresco area with glass bifolds, ocean views and a grassy yard leading to the sand via a private sandstone path.
“To be able to walk along the beach and then straight back up to your home is amazing,” Elyse said.
“As we walked along the beach, we enjoyed admiring the mix of beautiful old homes and other spectacular architectural builds that stood out.”
WATERS EDGE AT FORRESTERS
Features include:
· Newly built by award-winning company Construct Central Coast
· Grassy level yard with landscaped gardens and private paved walkway to the beach, perfect for picnics
· Tall entrance designed to allow stunning ocean views from street level
· Expansive views from eastern side of house, with the main bedroom a highlight
· Barbecue and covered entertainment area upstairs
· Beautifully appointed spacious kitchen with fully equipped state of the art appliances and island benchtop
· Large gas fireplace, coffee machine, ducted air conditioning, four designer bathrooms
· Close to local cafes and only a seven minute drive to Terrigal where there’s multiple dining options
To find out more about the Waters Edge holiday home at Forresters Beach, contact the Belle Escapes team on 02 4360 1717 or visit: www.belleescapes.com.au/properties/waters-edge-forresters
