Located less than two hours from Sydney, in the NSW Southern Highlands, Burrawang House is the latest luxury holiday home to hit the market and just in time for the festive season. Set on a parcel of land that is just over one acre in size, this Insta-worthy spot is giving us serious Cape Cod vibes and is the perfect rural retreat for design lovers.
“The beauty of Burrawang House is that it was built in 2022, but it brings in so many elements which make it feel like it’s been here forever, people feel instantly at home,” says Gabrielle Brewer, co-owner of the architecturally designed weatherboard home that sleeps 14 people making it ideal for large groups of family or friends.
The huge entertainers’ kitchen features a three-metre-long island bench, double Bertazzoni oven and cantilevered window which opens to the outside living room that has a recycled brick wood fireplace.
Kitchen
The large open plan living space features a towering cathedral roof design, oak floorboards, large oak dining table, and light streaming in through windows on all sides. There’s also an 18th Century Belgian mantle fireplace and huge L-shaped Jardan sofa in the lounge room.
Lounge room
The outdoor area is a highlight of the retreat with the nine-metre pool and eight-person spa an amazing spot to relax under the shade of the sun loungers on the sprawling pool deck.
Pool
“There are pergolas with recycled wood recovered from the Sydney Fish Markets, beautiful art collected over decades, antique furniture, bespoke joinery, lighting from the Montauk Company, Kate Spade, Paul Smith and Louis Poulsen and beautiful Armadillo rugs,” says Gabrielle.
Bedroom
The home sleeps 14 people and boasts five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms; the bedrooms include four king-sized bedrooms and a bunk room with six king single beds (all the bedrooms come with luxe linen). The house also has a games room, snooker and pool table, dart board and outside ping pong table to amuse guests.
Bunk room
And if you can prise yourself away from the property for just a few moments, there are national parks and forests right on the doorstep and the gorgeous Fitzroy Falls is just ten minutes away.
A renowned cool-climate wine region there are also 15 cellar doors in the area, antique shops, golf courses, open gardens, art galleries and excellent cafes and restaurants including the highly regarded Burrawang Village Hotel pub and Burrawang Village General Store Café. Established in 1865, the quaint picture-postcard village is a fabulous rural getaway.
Games room
Burrawang House is priced at $5,790 for two nights, for up to 14 people.
Located in the exclusive seaside enclave of Eagle Bay, in Western Australia’s south-west region, this lovely holiday home was built to accommodate a large family including grandparents, their two daughters and four grandchildren. A tranquil abode, the home is three hours drive from Perth and sits on a bush block, with ocean glimpses, affording the family a fabulous escape from the city bustle.
“I designed the house to accommodate the owners and the families of their two children, with space for everyone to retreat or gather. The home has six bedrooms and three bathrooms with the bedrooms arranged in pairs so that each pair has its own bathroom,” says the home’s architect Sandy Anghie, who created three separate wings for each family unit.
Bathroom
Bathroom
And while the home is located on a block with ocean views, given the owners are in their seventies, they didn’t want the typical ‘upside down house’ design solution. Despite the views to Eagle Bay from the upper levels, the kitchen, main living space and master bedroom are all located downstairs, to avoid climbing stairs. “The owners also wanted the house to connect with the ground plane, native garden and bushland beyond,” says Sandie.
Kitchen
Lounge room
The house was nicknamed ‘Paloma,’ after the white bricks by Brickworks BP, that were used to construct it, and for another reason too. “Paloma is a female given name in Spanish, a name that is striking but soft and feminine – which is how an architect friend has described the design of the home,” says Sandy.
The soft palette of pale green and pink, combined with an all-white exterior certainly gives the home a softness. The cabinetry was inspired by the colours of a banksia with Laminex ‘Paper Bark’ (a pale green), Laminex ‘Classic Oak’ and Laminex ‘Peruvian Clay’ (a soft pink), rounding out the materials palette.
BedroomThe view from upstairs
“With many projects, clients come to me with a collection of images, and I work hard to make their dreams a reality. And, with my very first projects, I was influenced by others more than I realised. But with this one I was given free rein in the design, so I guess it’s the most ‘me’ of the projects I have completed, and I’m very happy with the result.”
Unique bunker-style holiday home on NSW south coast
Nestled in the landscape on a magical ocean front spot in Gerringong, on the NSW South Coast, ‘Bunker House’ is the work of builder Neil Hipwell of Futureflip and it…
With 125k Instagram followers, there’s a chance some of you may follow the dad duo The Real Dads of Melbourne. And while they candidly document their daily lives in Melbourne (they have a son and they foster children too), it’s their recent holiday home renovation that piqued our interest. Purchased during Melbourne’s first COVID lockdown, the family have been slowly renovating the Mornington Peninsula property and recently installed a show-stopping pool and outdoor entertaining area.
BEFORE
AFTER
“When we were looking for a holiday home, a pool was a priority. We also wanted an outdoor space that we could entertain in with a built-in barbecue,” says Jarrad Duggan-Tierney, who shares the home with his husband Michael and son Reid.
Michael is a builder by trade and Jarrad has always loved interiors and styling – no stranger to renovation, the couple have renovated and flipped a few homes in the past. “This one is not a flipper though – it’s a ‘keep forever’ home that we hope to pass on to our son when he is old enough,” says Jarrad of the three-bed, U-shaped holiday home that is built around a central, outdoor space.
The fabulous outdoor entertaining space features a Nordik Living table and chairs
The original outdoor area featured nothing but grass and a trampoline before the landscape design company Mint completely redesigned the area resulting in maximised use of space and a fabulous entertaining area. “We wanted the swimming pool to be visible from most rooms in the house and we also wanted to work around the existing established Acacia tree,” says Jarrad.
The pool features an array of luxe finishes including a tundra marble tile surround, mosaic pool tiles within, composite decking and a luxe outdoor barbecue and dining area. “The mosaic tiles have a pearlescent finish. We told Mint what colour we wanted the water to be and they told us what colour tile would achieve that,” says Jarrad who explains that the water colour was inspired by the Maldives, the couple’s honeymoon destination.
A chic timber batten fence curves around the home’s outdoor barbecue area
A minimal and stylish white timber battened fence surrounds the area and a custom white powder coated steel bollard pool fence draws the eye too. “Because it’s a holiday house, we wanted something that was low-maintenance and we didn’t want something that was generic either,” says Jarrad of the fence design.
Pearlescent mosaic tiles line the pool
A custom water feature sits at one end of the pool
As for any challenges in building the outdoor area, Jarrad explains that COVID constraints threw in significant curve balls. “We couldn’t visit the property, so we spent a lot of time on Facetime. There were also issues with trades not being allowed to work. But Mint sent us pictures daily and it all worked out in the end. We particularly love the view from the lounge room looking out onto the pool. It looks exactly like the renders!”
The Real Dads of Melbourne: Jarrad, Reid and Michael Duggan-Tierney
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Own a holiday home or thinking of buying one? With our travel bubble ever changing, owning your own space to escape is such a luxury. There are also so many holiday properties popping up on the market, so how do you ensure that your property stands out when potential guests are looking for their next holiday stay? Don’t underestimate the gold mine you might be sitting on!
Investing in creating a beautiful and inviting space could not only earn you a passive income but also attract the right kind of guest who will return over and over. So how do you take your holiday property from drab to fab?
Interior stylist Katrina Lumsden
Declutter Nobody wants to stay in a home that feels overcrowded and cluttered. The flow of a holiday home should be easy and open so that your guests can feel relaxed.
Styling & aesthetic Transformation through thoughtfully selected interior styling can instantly elevate your holiday home. This is one of the most important aspects of creating a successful Airbnb experience along with increasing your overall bookings and profits! The initial investment you make will return to you over and over again.
Katrina at work
Exterior of the property First impressions count – when your guest pulls up outside your property for the first time, you want them to feel excited to get inside and explore their new stay. Invest in garden maintenance, upkeep of painting and pool areas.
Light & bright If your property doesn’t have great natural light, think about how you can improve that. Can you remove heavy curtains and add light sheers? Can you install a skylight? Can you give your home a fresh coat of paint?
Bed linen Never underestimate the power of beautiful, crisp linen! When you purchase good quality linen including bed covers, cushions and pillows this allows your guest to feel they are sleeping in luxury. Comfortable beds and bedding are a huge part of your guests’ stay so invest your money in quality.
The set-up How often have you settled into your holiday accommodation, decided to have a drink and there is no bottle opener? Or you wake up in the morning and there is only instant coffee available? Think about what it is that you love when you are staying in a property. It is the thoughtful little inclusions that will make your property one that your guests will rave about to their friends.
The experience Do you remember that holiday you had where you played board games until late into the night or sat by the firepit reminiscing with family? These are the things people remember when they stay in your property and share with their friends. Think about how you can create memorable experiences for your guests to connect with their loved ones.
Katrina at work
Know your market Knowing who your ideal guests are is important when marketing your property. A cute single bedroom studio will appeal to couples so you could add a bottle of champagne and strawberries on arrival! If your market is families then a platter of afternoon tea when they arrive is a beautiful way to welcome your guests and these are the things they will review, return and refer for.
Photography Have you ever gone to book a holiday property online and the photos are blurry or there’s not enough to see the whole property and what’s included? Investing in professional photography is an absolute game-changer in the marketing of your property. This is the first impression of your property and an opportunity to show your guests how they can relax in the space. You want to grab a potential guest’s attention, get them to stop scrolling and book your property!
The brand Believe it or not, your holiday home has its own brand. If you treat it as such you will create a successful and profitable small business that will generate passive income while increasing the value of the property as a whole. Your brand strategy, marketing and the overall story that you tell about your property, will allow it to become a wanderlust-worthy destination.
Photography: Hannah Laurenco
Katrina owns Studio Haven, a business that helps owners elevate their holiday properties into high-earning destinations through interior design and branding. They can work with holiday property owners from anywhere in Australia and can work with any budget.
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Nestled in the landscape on a magical ocean front spot in Gerringong, on the NSW South Coast, ‘Bunker House’ is the work of builder Neil Hipwell of Futureflip and it also happens to be his drool-worthy holiday home.
The Bunker
Having long visited the region for family holidays, Neil and his wife Krystal decided to create a luxury escape for when they and their three children want to escape the big smoke. “We wanted to capture the feeling of resort-style living and create a house that was perfect for entertaining,” says Neil.
The Bunker is situated on prime oceanfront land
Designed and built by Futureflip, the home’s design incorporates mid-century modern elements while remaining sensitive to the surrounding landscape. One of the key objectives was finding a way to capture the ocean views while maintaining privacy in what is a prominent oceanfront location. Stacked floor-to-ceiling glass doors certainly help on this front.
The lounge room has fabulous ocean views
Rather expansive, the home sleeps 16 adults comfortably and every bedroom has an adjoining ensuite which is perfect for when the family has guests. A highlight of the home, the pool is located on the top floor, a location that ensures that the 180-degree views can be enjoyed while swimming too.
Bisazza glass mosaic tiles line the pool
The location also determined the materials palette with hard-wearing materials a must. “The effects of the sea salt and strong north-easterly winds were significant, so material choices needed to be carefully considered,” says Neil. Concrete is a key construction material (and it references nearby Ourie pools), while cedar cladding was chosen as a nod to the history of the town as a key cedar port.
Master bathroom
Located on the top floor, the kitchen features recycled messmate custom joinery which is a nice foil to the stark concrete bones of the home, and Smeg appliances.
Kitchen
The home was built with sustainability in mind and is capable of running ‘off-grid’ due to its 10,000L rainwater tanks and 21.6kw solar system. Smart home automation allows the couple to control the entire home at the touch of a button, from anywhere in the world.
Lounge room. A glass floor can be seen above.
Neil and Krystal Hipwell with their three children
If you’d like to follow Neil and Krystal’s journey designing and building this home, check out their six-part web series here.
1980’s home on NSW South Coast gets remarkable makeover
Originally built in the eighties, this two storey Gerringong home was purchased by Sydney interior designer Aimee McKechnie, and her builder husband Blair, before it was given an extraordinary makeover…
Located on the NSW south coast in Jervis Bay, this home was purchased 20 years ago and tenanted until recently when the owners decided to give it a glow-up under the guidance of interior designer Joanne Yeomans, of Issy & H Creative. “My clients bought the house as a weekend getaway when their three girls were young, and they used to escape there from Sydney most weekends. They have some very happy memories of visits there,” says Joanne, who explains that the family decided to make use of it again, partly due to COVID-19 induced travel restrictions.
BEFORE kitchenAFTER kitchen
Having fallen into disrepair over the last decade, the home needed a lot of work, and this came primarily in the form of new flooring, paint, lighting, furniture and a new kitchen. “My client is a keen traveller and so wanted to create an eclectic twist on a coastal theme. So rather than adopting a more obvious neutral colour palette, we chose to incorporate some strong pops of colour and travel inspired pieces.”
BEFORE stairwell
AFTER stairwell
Paint proved integral to brightening up the home but one of Joanne’s paint plans was eschewed by the owners’ daughters out of pure nostalgia. “We planned to paint the existing raked timber ceiling in the living room. But my client’s daughters protested saying they remembered it fondly as a feature of the house,” says Joanne. The existing timber is now complemented by two Beacon Lighting capiz shell pendant lights which are Joanne’s favourite feature of the renovation. “They look absolutely beautiful and also have a lovely wind chime sound effect when the house is opened up and the breeze blows through.”
BEFORE living room
AFTER living room
The walls were freshened up with Dulux Natural White paint while the floors now sport a Blackbutt hybrid throughout. The home is peppered with interesting furniture and homewares including a rattan bar cart from Interiors Online, a large linen sofa from Uniqwa and many Etsy buys including a whale sculpture from Russia, a custom cushion from Budapest (made from a vintage Iranian kilim rug), and a large ombre wall hanging by Netherland artist Teddy and Wool.
“It was delightful to receive most of these packages with a special gift or note from the seller, even in the height of COVID when spirits must have been low,” says Joanne who also printed and framed a lot of the client’s travel photography for a personal touch.
BEFORE guest roomAFTER guest room
With Joanne located in Sydney, the renovation did prove challenging at times, but technology proved invaluable to the process – issues were resolved with Skype calls when the builder was on site. “Also, we faced some pretty long lead times with furniture procurement during COVID, but I’m happy to say that everything arrived eventually!” says Joanne.
BEFORE living room
AFTER living room
“Overall, I’m most proud of how happy the family are with the end result. And my client has been so generous and gracious in sharing it; I have been lucky enough to spend two long weekends there with my young family and they adored it.”
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Just three hours north of Sydney with direct access to Boomerang Beach, 88SOUTH is a new idyllic coastal retreat where modern minimalism meets luxury and comfort. A paradise for design enthusiasts, surfers, and those wishing to reconnect with nature, it’s a dream house for a group getaway accommodating up to 10 guests.
Owned by Kersti and Stuart Faulkner of the Peppertree Hill Accommodation Group, as long-time holidaymakers to the area, they’ve designed the house to fully epitomise “the carefree Australian summer” experience.
“Over the years my husband, Stuart and I have had the pleasure of bringing our own children to holiday in this tranquil part of the world,” said Kersti. “We treasure our holiday memories spent surfing, laying on the beach, enjoying local oysters or catching a sunrise.”
The beachfront property with five large bedrooms, boasts panoramic views of the Pacific Palms coastline thanks to careful planning by Collins and Turner architectural firm. Although it may seem ideal for the summer months, there’s also a firepit to snuggle around when it’s colder!
This architectural beauty with its multiple living spaces uses a striking blend of Carrara marble, American oak, formed and polished concrete. The minimal furnishings and oversized glass windows showcase the incredible ocean views while still providing spacious privacy. Outside, there’s a 13-metre lap pool, private garden and decks overlooking the ocean.
Booti Booti and Myall Lake National Parks are just a short drive away and the remoteness of the location will give you a chance to breathe away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
“While Boomerang Beach is a sentimental place, it’s also healing,” said Kersti. “It doesn’t matter how long or short the stay, we always come back to reality feeling re-energised, re-inspired and reset. We love that we now get to share our own special space with others.”
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If you read this blog, aesthetics are probably one of your key drivers in booking a holiday property, but when it comes to running one as a business, it’s about more than just being Insta-worthy if you want to maximise your investment.
Noa by the beach in Noosa
Mike Mortlock of MCG Quantity Surveyors, says some holiday home buyers are overlooking five key strategies which can turn their costly lifestyle investment into a money-making asset.
He said anyone who’s impulse bought a holiday home over Christmas must get serious about making it profitable. “Australians invariably get caught up in the holiday romance of buying a weekender and some will act on impulse while on vacation. Often investors reason that by renting to holidaymakers when they aren’t using it, the asset’s maintenance and holding costs will be covered, but that’s rarely the case.”
Mr Mortlock said instead, holiday home buyers must seek maximum rental income and depreciation benefits to make the investment viable. “Most are buying emotionally and discover that higher-than-normal vacancies make their investment returns marginal at best. But smart investors know there are moves which can turn the numbers around.”
Mike shares five key rent boosters that also deliver great depreciation benefits.
Climate control
Ensuring your holiday home is airconditioned is essential for attracting holiday makers. Vacationers will spend plenty of time relaxing at your short-stay, and they’ll want their comfort levels to be spot on.
Guaranteeing your home has split system air-conditioning and insulation not only helps improve the holiday experience for renters, but delivers tax benefits too.
Pet appeal
“Holiday homes that are pet friendly command a premium, as pet owners look to take their ‘fur-babies’ on holiday which saves on the cost and stress of kennelling.
But improvements which help create pet-friendly rentals also provide depreciation benefits. Think boundary fencing, hardwood floors, pet proof landscaping. Even items such as an external doghouse can be depreciated.
Outdoor entertaining
Holidays are built for family barbeques and lounging in a shady spot.
The addition of a roofed outdoor relaxation and entertainment area will drive holidaymakers to your home. They are also filled with depreciation opportunities such as ceiling fans, built in barbeques and benchtops.
Pools
Even when near a beachside holiday spot, there’s no denying the appeal of a pool when holidaying.
SOUL of Gerringong
If you’ve been fortunate to buy a home with a pool, don’t forget to claim depreciation benefits on the fencing and filtration system.
Wifi and entertainment
Providing unlimited wifi has become pretty much mandatory for holiday homes. Access to streaming services, scrolling through websites on local hotspots or checking in on updated weather alerts and surf conditions make web access a must.
Simple elements such as supplying a television can improve your tax deductions. For example, televisions have an eight-year effective life, so under the diminishing value method, a $2,000 TV will provide $500 in deductions in the first full year of claim.
While depreciation rules for computer equipment are currently found within the commercial sections of the tax legislation, it’s likely that computer equipment will become a residential plant and equipment item in time. Either way, routers and range extenders will always attract deductions.
–MCG Quantity Surveyorsis a national firm founded in 2011 that specialises in construction cost estimating and property depreciation schedules.
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Packed with pink and other candy tones, the world’s first sweet-themed Airbnb has opened in Victoria’s Daylesford. Created by the owners of Melbourne’s immersive candy pop-up museum Sugar Republic, the original miner’s cottage has been given a seriously kitsch candy-themed makeover providing the perfect country getaway for the sweet-tooth.
A giant Paddle Pop sculpture takes pride of place in the kitchen
“People loved visiting Sugar Republic and now they can experience the same sense of fun, colour and retro-sweet memories whilst staying in picturesque Daylesford. The Sweet Retreat is all of this combined with a super comfy, charming and amenity-filled cottage,” says Sugar Republic’s creative director and owner Allison Jones.
Cherry scented wallpaper lines the entry
Situated just minutes from the main street, every room is decorated in Sugar Republic’s distinct style, with candy-themed art, neon lights and a peachy colour palette. Guest rooms include one with a pink ball pit, one with cherry-scented wallpaper and one decorated with giant Iced Vovos.
The Iced Vovo bedroom
The miner’s cottage has been renovated and now features a two-storey extension at the rear that overlooks trees and a garden. Ideal for a family or group trip, the home has four large bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large indoor/outdoor living space.
The Peaches bedroom has a pink ball pit
The house is also decked out with retro board games, books and DVD’s, but tech-heads will be satisfied too; Alexa voice control, Sonos speakers, wifi and an Apple TV are standard inclusions.
Dining
Downstairs, the Sweet Love suite is one for the lovers. There’s a huge bed with statement neon sign, private patio, disco themed ensuite and glamorous living area.
The Sweet Love suite
Just over 100 kilometres from Melbourne, Daylesford has long been favoured by Melbournites looking for a country escape. The area’s forest air, artisanal food, coffee, markets, spas and art are all huge drawcards.
A rainbow wall hanging makes a fun statement in the Lucky Rainbow bedroom
In a fun touch, each guest receives a special sweet-filled welcome box too. “The home is the perfect weekend away for some sweet romance, a group of girlfriends or a fun family experience,” says Allison.
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Located in a fabulous, central part of Byron Bay, this holiday home was given the makeover treatment recently courtesy of The Block judge Darren Palmer. A long-time holidaymaker in the area, Darren leant his formidable styling talents to the gorgeous home that is now available to book on Airbnb.
Bedroom
“This was literally a styling project on a rented holiday home that we thought we would like to have so we can take special trips away that aren’t overseas,” says Darren who was drawn to the home’s central Byron Bay location. Just 10 minutes’ walk to most things and only 10 minutes’ drive to everything else, the home is on a generous 1000 square metre block and is a fabulous spot from which to explore the area.
The house looks onto lush landscaped gardens and a pool
With eyes on Byron Bay since 2004, Darren always thought it was a fabulous property market but concedes that even he didn’t realise just how popular it would become. “It’s got great energy, dining at all levels and prices, and there is a holiday or beach experience for anyone whether you stay in a campervan or a multi-million-dollar ocean view home,” says Darren.
Lounge room
And when it came to furnishing and styling the home, Darren relied on a simple palette, earthy, woven fabrics and a variety of thrifty finds. “The inclusions were cobbled together from warehouse sales, Gumtree and stuff we had in our Hyams Beach holiday rental,” says Darren who recommends this budget-friendly approach when styling a holiday home.
BedroomBathroom
Darren also suggests approaching a holiday rental styling project with a clear vision and fairly strict budget. A big fan of upcycling and repurposing, Darren regularly scours Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree to scratch that itch. “You just need to style to the mood you want to create. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be right and it doesn’t have to be the best to be good,” says Darren.
The outdoor deck
As for his favourite part of the home, he can’t go past the lush outdoor area and its heated pool. “The plants are so established, it’s crazy. The frangipani tree must be at least 100 years old and there’s heaps of grass for kids and dogs. The outdoor area is definitely the heart of this home.”
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Melissa and Adam Lever were looking for an investment property when they found the perfect holiday home instead and “fell into” a labour of love, renovating it to share with others too. The result is Anchor Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast where Adam grew up.
“Avoca Beach is a beautiful coastal village with a friendly community and a patrolled family-friendly beach,” Melissa says. “Adam grew up on the Central Coast and his family still live in the area, so we know it well. Personally, we love life by the beach so we wanted a coastal property in a suburb that was in high demand for either holidays or long term renters.”
Living on Sydney’s Northern Beaches themselves, it’s an easy drive to enjoy the place themselves when it isn’t rented by holidaymakers. “We enjoy the change of pace and natural beauty of the area.”
The house wasn’t exactly Instagram-worthy when they bought it, but thankfully the couple had enough vision to see the potential. “We liked the character of this place with the layout, large block and wraparound balcony. Thankfully we could see past the original federation colour scheme.” Having done a number of renovations on their own homes, they knew they could make a big impact with a revamp of the home.
Working with the existing building where they could, they embarked on the reno, doing much of the work themselves (no mean feat with kids in tow!). “We didn’t want to make too many floorplan changes as we knew this would pump up the costs significantly, and we also wanted to keep the beautiful beach-house vibe of the original home.”
They painted absolutely everything from the floors to the walls! “Painting the upstairs floors white made the area so much brighter – it was a deep red colour before, which made it appear dark. Changing this, changed the whole feel of the property,” Melissa says. They knew the main bathroom needed replacing due to a rotten floor but then they decided to replace all three bathrooms and the kitchen, from the joists up.
The Ikea kitchen was one of the biggest bargains, keeping costs down. “It allowed us to pick a classic style that still had enough personality to appeal to a broad guest taste. The appliances are fantastic and we would highly recommend it.”
“We opened up the kitchen by knocking down a partition wall and swapped out a large window at the rear for a glass door, which has allowed better access to the backyard and extra light. We also opened up an internal access so it was a wider, strong connection between the kitchen and living spaces. A memorable moment was renovating the ensuite for the second bedroom, which was originally a walk-in wardrobe with a toilet! Yikes!”
This en suite used to be a walk-in robe with toilet!
Renovating and managing trades while both working full-time from Sydney, and looking after three young kids, was certainly challenging. “We bought the home just before Christmas and spent every weekend over the following three months renovating. We helped with a lot of the grunt work – building the Ikea kitchen, laying backyard turf, painting and landscaping.”
The biggest renovating challenge was levelling the backyard, which involved excavation, drainage and levelling. “It’s been worth it to get a space that’s great for BBQs, kicking the ball and enjoying the firepit. The space is directly off the kitchen for an easy flow.”
The couple have gone for a “casually classy coastal” look, adding character and colour, from the inclusion of a farmhouse sink, to the colour of the furnishings. Keeping the walls and floors white means the neutral palette with pops of colour make Anchor look modern and fresh.
Keeping to a strict budget ensured Melissa and Adam didn’t overcapitalise. “We were considered with our style approach. From the Ikea kitchen, to decor and linens that could be repeatedly heavily cleaned. Painting the floors with white concrete paint was definitely one of the best things we did. The label says cars can drive over it, so it was heavy duty for guest wear and tear! The landscaping we chose was low maintenance while striking, using a lot of Australian natives to ensure that lush garden look without the hassle.”
Having a young family themselves meant they were conscious of the house being family-friendly, both for themselves, and guests, hence making sure one bathroom had a bath.
“We often have extended families come and visit, with grandparents and young kids all together. There is a large dining table seating 12. We provide Netflix, board games, kids’ books and toys for those afternoons when you want to chill out at the property. We also have a highchair and cot to ensure families can just turn up and feel instantly at home, away from home.”
A fully functioning laundry is great for family stays
The couple were inspired by other holiday properties like Mandala Beach House on the South Coast and Dunrana in Bowral. “Both are beautiful homes with a lovely sense of style and quality about them. We wanted Anchor to have its own individual feel and sense of style though, ultimately to feel relaxed and accessible to many families just like ours.”
Melissa believes the little touches make a difference, like leaving a handwritten message for each guest, a bottle of wine and a few breakfast items. She also understands the power of accommodation being Instagram-able: “A picture paints a thousand words and Instagram has taken this to another level. Guests want to see and get a general feel for a place, before they book. It has become a powerful marketing tool for small businesses to connect.”
Disclosure: My family and I were lucky enough to stay at Anchor earlier this month as guests of the owners and we would highly recommend it!
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Now I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot with the Central Coast residents, because I can assure you I’ve always been a fan, but I have to…
NSW getaways: Mandala Beach House in Jervis Bay
If you’re anything like us, you’ve been dying to get away (somewhere, anywhere!), especially if the Covid lockdown saw you miss out on a planned break or you’ve reluctantly had…
If you’re anything like us, you’ve been dying to get away (somewhere, anywhere!), especially if the Covid lockdown saw you miss out on a planned break or you’ve reluctantly had to cancel an upcoming one. And as of this week, leisure travel is allowed again in NSW!
The weekend before this all kicked off (which frankly seems much longer ago than it was!) and life very quickly changed, we were lucky enough to escape to the beautiful NSW South Coast. I didn’t write about it back then because it soon became clear the timing was all wrong! But now that leisure travel is allowed again within NSW, I need to tell you about this great option, just 2.5 hours drive from Sydney.
It’s also time to do our bit (if we can) for the local economy by visiting the tourism hotspots in our back yards, many of which have been hit with the double whammy of the bushfires followed by the pandemic. What a crazy year it has been! I’m sure many of us really need a break more than ever and you know how good a change of scene can be for your mental health.
Back to this gorgeous holiday home, Mandala Beach House, in Calalla Bay, on the northern shore of Jervis Bay. I don’t need to tell you this is one of the most beautiful places in NSW. Its reputation precedes it! But Mandala is a brand new, very spacious, beautifully styled and super comfortable option with a heated pool for larger families and groups. Damian, the boys and I were rattling around in this 5-bed, 5-bathroom house, to the extent we only really used the upstairs! But we weren’t complaining!
It would be perfect for a trip with a couple of families, an extended family gathering, a group of besties, a school reunion or even a corporate retreat; the possibilities are endless for up to 12 guests! There are two living room areas, a huge kitchen/dining with heaps of seating at a long dining table and at the island bench (and tables on the balcony and by the pool!). If you’re the sort of family that wind each other up with too much time in close proximity (isn’t that most families?!), this is the place for you. There are plenty of places to escape! And there’s even the possibility to use the games room as a sixth bedroom.
It’s been beautifully furnished with the help of stylist Jessi Eve and it shows. Every bedroom is like something out of a nice catalogue! It was fun choosing which to use! On the child-friendly front, there’s a retractable child safety gate at the top of the stairs which is of course a non-negotiable and makes life so much easier.
Because it’s so new, the place is very low maintenance and has all the mod cons, but it’s also very comfortable and stylish. There’s water right across the street (so you can watch the sunset over the water from the generous balcony) and all sorts of beaches and attractions a short walk and drive away.
Callala Bay is a five-minute stroll or Callala Beach is just 10 minutes on foot. Callala Bay is a postcard setting with boats bobbing, you can swim at the beach and it has a great playground too.
The real jewel in the crown is Callala Beach, with its fine white sand, aqua blue water and at 5.6km, is the longest beach in Jervis Bay. Callala Beach is the perfect beach for swimmers offering crystal clear, shallow water and gentle waves. Turn right when you leave the beach house and follow the walking track along the spectacular Callala Bay Headland (10 minutes). You’ll be in awe at the beauty of this beach.
Even though the world was full of uncertainty and talk of imminent lockdown when we visited, we still found ourselves feeling super relaxed by the time we left. Because of the strange circumstances, we didn’t tick off our list of local cafes and restaurants (of which there are many, casual and fancy!), but just hanging out here (and using the pool!) was enough to feel like we had had a great break and it actually gave us a much-needed chance to stop, breathe and prepare for what was to be a challenging few weeks ahead.
Blissfully unaware of the global pandemic, Sebastian and Charlie thought this “holiday” was magic: we got to stay in a big beautiful house with a heated pool and a balcony overlooking the water and go to the beach! What more could they want?!
Mel the owner is super helpful and answered all our questions, but it was very easy to find our way around the house and how things work due to great instructions! And there’s reverse cycle air con throughout, so don’t worry for a second about being chilly! There’s even a tub in one of the bathrooms (these can be hard to come by in holiday homes these days!).
If you’ve been dying to catch up with your family or friends and need somewhere amazing and spacious to do it, we cannot recommend Mandala more!
A tired looking 90s holiday apartment with spectacular ocean views has been given a much-needed renovation. The entire Gold Coast apartment was gutted and started afresh with a bright, coastal style makeover. And we bet the owners are secretly pleased they get to use it themselves while leisure travel is off the cards due to Covid-19!
AFTER kitchen
BEFORE kitchen
“The brief was to design a space which instantly felt relaxing, took advantage of the views and considered the holidaymakers who will enjoy the apartment and its beach lifestyle,” says interior designer Mel Hoekstra. “The neutral tones and greens create a feeling of serenity the minute you walk through the door and have been layered with subtle texture and pattern to evoke a sense of letting go and enjoying your getaway.”
The amazing view is the only thing that hasn’t changed!
The original apartment was shades of apricot and pink with cream walls, had a wall dividing the living room and kitchen, tired carpet and was lacking suitable functionality. “There was an ugly old mirrored wall next to the kitchen which we replaced with new mirrored panels and makes a huge difference to the feeling of space whilst reflecting the views. On the plus side, the ocean and mountain views were spectacular, the perfect recipe for a renovation.”
AFTER bathroom
BEFORE bathroom
The walls were painted Dulux Lexicon Quarter to look clean and fresh, and new timber-look tiles give the illusion of space and are super easy to clean with all those sandy feet. The bathrooms were given custom timber cabinetry and beautiful bronze-edged white feature tiles to lighten the once-dark spaces. Then the laundry was given a splash of colour with a bronze-edged aqua tile on the splashback.
AFTER laundry
BEFORE laundry
The furniture and accessories were selected with the owners and potential holiday makers in mind. The custom lounges have been made in a versatile fabric which was treated to keep it looking great for longer. A king single bunkbed was added alongside the queen bed in the second bedroom to expand the type of guests who might book the apartment. It can now accommodate families as well as couples, yielding a higher return for the owners.
AFTER bedroom
BEFORE bedroom
“I love the transformation in every room in this two-bedroom apartment and particularly the instant feeling of relaxation you feel when entering,” Mel says.
“My favourite feature would have to be the island bench (painted in Resene’s Emerge); where once there was a wall you now see a beautiful island which mirrors the green and blue tones in the ocean. This year, the ecstatic owners will be enjoying their beachside apartment and holidaymakers will be able to enjoy the location in 2021.”
Located just 2.5 hours’ drive south of Sydney, the just launched Mandala Beach House is nestled on the northern shores of Jervis Bay, in the coastal village of Callala Bay. Situated across the road from the ocean, the home accommodates up to 12 guests making it a fabulous spot for a family or group getaway. And for interior lovers, it’s got design cred too courtesy of its luxe coastal spaces that were created by interior stylist Jessi Eve.
Lounge room
“Influenced by natural elements, I pulled together a palette of sandy neutrals and grey stone tones paired with soft sky pastels and ocean blues. The textures and materials are connected to nature with natural cotton, linen, rattan, and timber featuring,” says Jessi when explaining the feel throughout the home.
Kitchen
Jessi’s fresh palette is complemented by timber, raw texture and lots of natural light that is captured via skylights and myriad clerestory windows. Overall, the home has an inviting, lived-in feel.
“Holiday homes, in general, are moving more towards a beautiful homely feel rather than sterile and purely practical accommodation. The most popular places nowadays are Instagram-worthy with lots of visual interest at every corner, both in the design and styling. For me, Mandala Beach House nails that,” says Jessi.
Dining
Inside the home there’s a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living and dining areas, multiple hangout zones, and five bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms (the games room can double as a sixth bedroom if required). The home’s master bedroom has a luxe, deep-set bath with views over the bay too.
Bedroom
The alfresco spaces are rather covetable also. There’s a furnished balcony with ocean views, an outdoor bar and barbeque, a saltwater pool and grassed area for the kids to run. And while on the topic of kids, the home is very family-friendly and comes equipped with baby gates, a high-chair and travel cot too.
I'm pretty sure that SOUL of Gerringong exceeds its guests expectations!
“When I first started on my journey to becoming a holiday property owner, I relied on Dr Google to wade through website after website seeking answers,” says the owner of SOUL of Gerringong Simone Mathews. And given the stylish property quickly became one of Australia’s most popular holiday homes, Simone suddenly found herself inundated by fellow holiday home owners looking for advice.
Simone Mathews
A complementary arm to her holiday home business, SOUL Home is a place where holiday property owners can share real-life advice and find out about industry news, but we caught up with Simone recently to get her take on the top 10 things to consider when designing a holiday property.
1. Expectation
“When you style a holiday house, your guests are expecting to arrive and see the same ‘wow’ images from your website and social media. So, it’s important to find ways to style your property consistently with minimal fuss so you can turn it over quickly between guests, yet ensure the property looks incredible and inviting every single time,” says Simone.
I’m pretty sure that SOUL of Gerringong exceeds guests’ expectations!
2. Create that ‘holiday feeling’
“Guests are escaping their daily hustle of today’s fast-paced world to stay at your property. So, you want your holiday property to have that ‘holiday feeling’ from the moment they arrive. Create a styled space, but not a sterile space. You want your guests to feel like they can put their feet up and not be scared to break anything,” says Simone.
3. Target market
“Understand your property’s target market and what they are looking for to plan your styling, rather than just injecting your own style. If you love a minimalist look though have bought a beach shack, you may need to put your style preferences aside to ensure the property complements its native environment,” says Simone.
4. Styling items: Can you afford to replace them?
“It is part and parcel of having a holiday property that things get damaged or broken. When styling, don’t use pieces that you can’t afford to replace or pieces that will devastate you if they are damaged. You want your guests to respect your property and items, but you need to understand that accidents do happen,” says Simone.
SOUL of Gerringong’s barn interior
5. Break the rules
“Holiday accommodation needs to have a sense of fun and personality. You can break the rules! If you’re in a coastal area, have some fun and make the most of the breezy nature of the coast. At SOUL we have an anchor door knocker – it adds a bit of quirk to the coastal property,” says Simone who encourages people to have fun with artwork too.
6. The Boxing Day test
“Style is important, but it also needs to be practical. The Boxing Day test is to ensure that every person that your property can sleep can also be accommodated on the lounge or at the dining table. So, if your property sleeps eight, you need to seat eight on the lounge and at the dining table. Our own homes are designed to enjoy both quality times together and areas to find your own space. When on holidays, people want to come together and spend time as a group,” says Simone.
7. Storage
“In your own property, you need dedicated storage for everyday items like wardrobes and storage robes. In holiday properties, you can create open hanging spaces that can form part of your styling. Don’t waste space in holiday properties with excess storage that will not be utilised,” says Simone.
SOUL Cottage bedroom
8. Use everyday items to add character
“In a holiday property, you can style your everyday items with open shelves, particularly in spaces like the kitchen. Place your stacks of plates, bowls and glasses on open shelves; not only are they then easy to find, they also look great,” says Simone.
9. Quality linen
“It’s easiest to stick with the same colour linen and bedding in your holiday property. It will save dollars with your laundry bill as they can all be washed together, rather than creating different loads for the cleaners and laundromat,” says Simone who suggests bringing in other colours through bed covers and throws instead.
10. Repeat laundering
“Make sure that everything that you incorporate in your styling can be laundered. The most common complaint for holiday properties is cleanliness. The last thing you want is your guests arriving and seeing a dirty cushion or throw. At home, you can hand wash these when needed. In a holiday property these items need to be turned around for the next guest. So, you might have your heart on a particular throw for the new lounge, but make sure it can be laundered.”
The holiday property market has grown exponentially with the arrival of Airbnb and similar sites, so it stands to reason that many people are, with little or no experience, becoming holiday property owners for the first time. Whether you’re a home owner renting out your own home to fund your travels or you’re running a lucrative part-time or full-time holiday home operation, there’s much expertise to be gleaned from SOUL OF Gerringong owner Simone Matthews.
One of the most popular holiday houses in Australia, SOUL OF Gerringong has been fully booked since Simone transformed the abandoned coastal farmhouse in 2017 and she’s keen to share what she’s learnt with the launch of SOUL Home, a place where holiday property owners can share real-life advice and find out about industry news in what is a rapidly growing space.
SOUL OF Gerringong backyard
“When you’re a holiday property owner, you instantly become a general manager, marketer, social media strategist, administrator, stylist, problem solver – there are so many hats you need to wear, to ensure your holiday property first attracts, and then offers a seamless experience to ensure your guests enjoy an incredible stay,” says Simone who, in addition to establishing the SOUL Home online community, has recently set up an online course for holiday property owners too.
SOUL cottage bedroom
Simone’s How-to Guide for Holiday Property Owners is an online course that is designed as a 101-industry companion to teach you how to run a holiday property business from scratch. From understanding the purpose of your new business, identifying your target market, getting across the accounting side of running a holiday home, styling, building hacks, what to look for in a booking system and the pros and cons of self-managing plus how to brief the cleaners and tips on building a solid social media presence, the course covers everything there is to know about running a holiday property.
SOUL Home’s Simone Matthews
“Being a holiday property owner can be both time consuming and costly, and you want to you spend your time and money where it counts. The guide provides that real, honest advice for anyone either starting out or wanting to elevate their holiday home business. It provides all the materials and authentic advice you need,” says Simone.
SOUL cottage living room
SOUL Home’s How-to Guide for Holiday Property Owners is $497 and is comprised of eight modules. The course runs with a combination of written worksheets, video tutorials, personalised mentoring and templates, including a cleaning schedule and a master list of everything a holiday property owner needs when starting out.
The house is painted in Dulux ‘Sky Baby Blue’ and it was used in the lounge room too
Located within walking distance from the beach, this stylish surf shack themed Queenslander can be found at Crescent Head on the NSW mid-north coast – six hours from Sydney and a favourite spot for surfers. Named after the iconic surf movie ‘Big Wednesday’ the three-bedroom cottage features pastel stained-glass and intricate timber detailing but has been newly renovated with fun tropical prints and fresh blue paint.
The exterior of the home is painted in Dulux ‘Sky Baby Blue’
Dulux ‘Sky Baby Blue’ was used in the lounge room too
“The original home had solid bones and great character – it was the classic Australian ‘surf shack’ with an existing name to match. The design brief had to follow this beach style rather than going for that ‘coastal cool’ neutral look – we wanted the property to feel really fun and fresh. We think it’s a departure from the regular styling of modern homes, so guests really feel they have walked into a different world on holidays,” says the home’s owner Bianca Wakelin who styled the property.
Bedroom
“We didn’t want the home to have a polished-perfect look, but wanted it to be filled with character, to capture the hearts of like-minded guests – from the colour scheme to the more ‘over the top’ furniture selections,” says Bianca of the kitsch wares that pepper the home.
A classic Queenslander from the front, the home’s large wooden deck is accessed by a butterfly staircase and is accented by pastel stained-glass windows. “The verandah is my favourite part of the home as it’s elevated and in a private position that captures the mountains in the distance. It’s also the ideal location for a relaxing afternoon sundowner,” says Bianca.
Verandah
Reading nook
Another notable feature is the kitchen which is painted in Dulux ‘Lemon Delicious’ – a sunny, retro shade. “I love the kitchen as it’s very old school – we didn’t fully renovate it but simply gave the cabinetry a fresh lick of paint. The colour pop always reminds me of summer and this incredible all-year round summer holiday style location,” says Bianca.
Kitchen
The cosy bedrooms are styled with a mix of bed linen and pillows from Pillow Talk and each has a different yet complementary theme – there’s the main bedroom, ‘blue room’ and the ‘purple room.’ “The three Tahitian-inspired paintings in the purple room are from Tania Warsuig, an artist that really creates that tropical feeling that we were hoping to inject into the property.”
It’s a big call – especially in this job – but I think this has to be my favourite home I’ve seen all year. An idyllic property afloat Sydney Harbour, its picture-perfect surrounds are matched by a beautifully restored and redesigned interior, with clean lines and a soft, pared-back palette.
Designed by Infinite Design Studio, the two-storey houseboat moored in Pearl Bay, Mosman, is the holiday retreat we all want. On the first floor is an open living and kitchen area with deck, as well as a double bedroom and ensuite. Upstairs is the master suite, with a large bathroom, reading area and entertaining deck. Light, ventilation and openness take centre stage, fostering a sense of spaciousness and connection with the stunning surrounds.
Infinite Design Studio transformed the interior and exterior living spaces with materials that reference the natural environment. “I am a big believer in spending time on site to immerse myself in the location and to understand how best to integrate the qualities of the surroundings into the design,” says principal Michelle Macarounas. “This property sits in such a fabulous location that we created an extremely pared-back palette so as not to compete with the views and environment.”
Inside, French oak flooring, cream-coloured travertine tiles, contemporary joinery and custom-made furniture are a lighter counterpart to the darker weatherboard exterior. Views of the harbour are captured through timber-framed windows, while circular mirrors throughout the home reference portholes and enhance the natural light and openness.
The houseboat was originally constructed from parts of a barge built in the 1800s, which transported produce across Middle Harbour before construction of the Spit Bridge in the 1950s. To preserve this history, Infinite Design Studio restored the heritage features, including the timber windowframes and benchtops that date back to the original barge.
A unique and exceptional home, the design pays respect to the vessel’s history, takes advantage of its privileged location and provides contemporary luxury living on one of the world’s most dazzling waterways.
