Tucked away in the picturesque beachside suburb of Cronulla, The ‘Maybe’ Forever home is the true creative vision of Simone Mathews, the founder and interior designer of SOUL Home. A labour of love, this stunning sanctuary combines classic elegance, natural warmth, and resort-inspired relaxation. Designed to provide the perfect balance for an active family, it offers an escape from the busyness of life, making Simone’s family feel as though they are living an island lifestyle every day.
Simone has crafted a home that seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary design elements. The ‘Maybe’ Forever home epitomises SOUL Home’s signature 70/20/10 rule: 70% classic elements, 20% organic influences, and 10% resort vibes. The result is a timeless yet modern space that invites you to relax and unwind. Natural timbers, organic shapes, stunning windows and dressings play a crucial role in creating the warm, inviting atmosphere that characterises this unique home. Drawing inspiration from Bahamian architecture and European styles, Simone has created a timeless yet modern space which evokes a sense of escape and relaxation. “I wanted our home to be a place where we could escape our hectic lives, but also somewhere that was practical for our family,” Simone explains. “The blend of classic and contemporary elements, combined with organic textures and resort vibes, really brings that vision to life.”
Sustainability Behind the Scenes
Integral to Simone’s vision is the commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, a cornerstone of modern home design. “For us, it was important that our home not only looks beautiful but also functions efficiently. We wanted a space that was environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run,” Simone explains. For Simone and her husband, Ben, who is also the builder, owning BAM Construction Group, ensuring that The ‘Maybe’ Forever home was as energy-efficient as possible was a top priority.

Soul Home Maybe Forever
In this pursuit of sustainability, Simone turned to top building brands, Stegbar, Gyprock, Bradford, Big River Group and Luxaflex for their innovative products. The ‘Maybe’ Forever now sets a new standard for energy efficiency, meeting the 7 -Star energy rating thanks to clever building material selections.
A key aspect of this achievement lies in the materials that work behind the scenes to ensure the home not only looks but also feels serene and inviting. Among these, CSR Bradford’s Enviroseal RW Plus Wall Wrap and Soundscreen acoustic insulation play an essential role. Though hidden within the walls and ceilings, these products contribute immeasurable, intangible qualities to the overall living experience. “These products provide an extra level of comfort by keeping the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer, all while dramatically reducing unwanted noise transfer,” Simone explains. “It’s this kind of attention to detail that creates a peaceful, quiet sanctuary within the home.”

Timeless Materials, Lasting Quality
Every element of The ‘Maybe’ Forever home has been selected with care to ensure not only visual appeal but also long-lasting comfort. The kitchen, as the heart of the home, perfectly illustrates this. It features Big River Group’s ArmourCab Spotted Gum veneer for all the cabinetry, as well as in the butler’s pantry, adding a stunning natural aesthetic that enhances the overall design. “ArmourCab wood veneer is a prominent feature throughout our home,” says Simone. “The Spotted Gum veneer adds a classic, almost retro feel to the spaces, creating a sense of timelessness that makes it feel as though it has always belonged in the home. We also love its exceptional quality, which holds up well against heat and humidity, which is critical in these areas, especially living in a suburb near the ocean.”

The flooring throughout the first and second floors is finished with Big River’s Engineered Oak, offering both visual appeal and resilience. The choice of this flooring was particularly important to accommodate the demands of an active household. “While we believe a timber floor should show signs of a lived-in home, we also wanted durability to withstand the daily activities of a family of six,” Simone remarks. “These floorboards are much stronger than those we’ve used in other builds, minimising dents and wear over time, which is important in a family home. The Desert colour strikes a perfect balance, lending itself to the timeless, classic foundation for the home’s design.”
In the laundry and master robe, Master Oak in White was selected for its durability and high performance. “Master Oak offers a scratch-resistant, moisture- and stain-resistant, and colourfast surface that looks and feels like real oak but stands up to the wear and tear of a busy family home,” Simone notes.
Integral to the home’s design and functionality is Gyprock HD plasterboard, which was extensively used for its acoustic properties and enhanced resilience, ensuring the walls withstand the daily demands of a lively family home. “Strength and longevity were important considerations when choosing the right materials, especially with four energetic boys. I also wanted to ensure the privacy of the bedrooms on the ground floor and Gyprock HD allowed me to reduce sound travelling across the floors, transforming the space into a serene environment,” says Simone.
Windows and Doors: The Gateway to Style and Comfort
Windows and doors are crucial to achieving the overall aesthetic and comfort of the home. Given the Bahamian-inspired design of The ‘Maybe’ Forever home, an abundance of windows was chosen to let in natural light and create an airy, open feel. Throughout the home, Simone selected different frame and glass types from Stegbar’s advanced window and door solutions, based on design aesthetics and energy requirements.
Stegbar’s Envira Collection of thermally broken aluminium windows and doors was the ideal choice for areas of the impacted by the sun’s heat. “Stegbar’s newest range of windows and doors perfectly suited our requirements,” Simone shares. “The Envira Collection not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of our home but also provided superior energy efficiency and noise reduction. The thermally broken frames minimise heat transfer, ensuring that the interior temperature remains stable, reducing the need to switch on the air conditioner in summer and heater in winter, and lowering energy consumption and bills.”


To further enhance the home’s energy efficiency, Simone selected the Stegbar EnviraLuxe Thermally Broken Awning Windows for key areas, particularly where maintaining a consistent temperature was essential. “We wanted to ensure our windows were as energy efficient as possible, especially on the ground floor with the bedrooms, where in winter the warmth would stay in, and in summer the cool would not escape,” Simone explains. The EnviraLuxe windows were strategically placed in the ground floor bedrooms, first-floor kitchen and walk-in pantry, second-floor ensuite, walk-in robe, and garage. “We are also limited with access on the side boardwalk of the house, so an awning window was the answer as it is minimal with the opening of the windows yet allows ventilation all year round,” she adds. With budget a consideration, these premium windows were reserved for the northern-side of the house.
For the ground floor living areas, ground floor bedroom, and first-floor dining, Simone opted for Alumiere Aneeta Multi Lite Windows paired with the stunning Western Red Cedar Sliding doors. “Aesthetics was the most important choice here,” Simone notes. “With this home having a Bahama’s plantation style, the doors truly play a big role in creating this look.”
Attention to Detail in Every Corner
Simone’s attention to detail is evident in every aspect of The ‘Maybe’ Forever home, from the elegant Gyprock Flexible arches that add architectural beauty, to the carefully selected Luxaflex® Window Coverings that adorn the interiors. The arches, with their soft, gentle lines, create a sense of fluidity and harmony throughout the home, soothing the overall ambiance. Gyprock Flexible was essential in achieving these intimate curves, whether framing doorways, defining hallways, or enhancing ceilings, adding character and sophistication to every room. The inclusion of Gyprock Aria cornices in the wellness room further highlights Simone’s commitment to timeless elegance, proving that even small details can significantly elevate the home’s design.
