Tucked along the quiet shoreline of Minnie Water, Sandy Pines is more than a beach house—it’s a family retreat built for togetherness, slow living, and deep breaths of ocean air.
Owned by writer and creative Courtney Adamo, this newly built home stands in beautiful contrast to the Adamo family’s primary residence in Bangalow, a late 1800s heritage house filled with old-world charm.
In Bangalow, Courtney and her husband Michael are raising five children—Easton, Quin, Ivy, Marlow, and Wilkie—in a space layered with history.
But their dream of a dedicated beach escape led them two hours south to Minnie Water, where they’ve created a purpose-built holiday home designed for connection, calm, and coastal living.
A Modern Take on Mid-Century Memories
Sandy Pines is deeply inspired by the past, yet firmly rooted in the present.
Drawing from mid-century architecture and a nostalgic nod to Courtney’s childhood summers in the San Juan Islands (USA), the home features long lines, a flat roof, oversized windows, and even a soft green exterior—an intentional tribute to the original fisherman’s shack that once stood on the site.
Sadly, that old shack had to be torn down due to termite damage, but its spirit lives on in this modern reimagining. Designed with clean minimalism and earthy materials, the house balances warmth with simplicity.
The interiors are open, unfussy, and grounded in nature—offering the family a space to slow down and simply be.
Built for Slowing Down and Showing Up
For Courtney, the beach house isn’t just a change of scenery—it’s a shift in rhythm. With teenagers now filling the Adamo home in Bangalow with part-time jobs and social plans, Sandy Pines has become a place where the family reconnects without distraction.
“When we’re at the beach house, we spend more time as a family and slow things way down,” she shares. “There’s not much to do but be together—and that’s the point.”
It’s a home built to embrace the outdoors, where days are guided by the sun, tides, and winds. Here, dolphins often dance across the horizon, card games replace screens, and surfing is a daily ritual when the conditions are right.
Thoughtful Design Meets Everyday Function
While the style is relaxed and nostalgic, the design is anything but dated. Working closely with an architect and builder, Balanced Earth, the Adamos ensured the house was as functional as it is beautiful. Proper insulation, passive solar warmth, and cross-ventilation make it a comfortable space year-round—something many older Australian beach houses lack.
“I love the charm of an old home,” says Courtney, “but it’s a joy to be in a new space that gets the sunlight and actually stays warm in winter!”
From hand-finished joinery by Interior Blank to materials that feel tactile and natural underfoot, every detail invites ease. It’s the kind of home where you kick off your shoes without thinking, and the day unfolds without a schedule.
A Beach House Built to Share
When the Adamos aren’t there themselves or hosting loved ones, Sandy Pines is open to guests via Airbnb.
Much like its namesake, the house is serene, grounded, and surrounded by coastal pines—an invitation to step away from the noise and reconnect with what really matters.
