Tag: holiday home

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House Tours RENO ADDICT

From beach shack to ultimate seaside pad with Three Birds

The holiday home of Bonnie Hindmarsh was once a humble beach shack in Pearl Bay on the NSW Central Coast. But then, Bonnie’s life changed. With best friends Erin Cayless and Lana Taylor, they started Three Birds Renovations, the now well-known team flipping uber stylish houses for insane profits. So it was decided, it was time for Bonnie’s home to get a makeover! Today, they’re sharing the living room.

The shack had been renovated over the years but was certainly not perfect! They’d ripped up the old carpets and painted the walls and ceilings white, white-washing the original pine flooring and adding a couple of French doors to the lounge area and dining. The deck was another new addition which they extended, as well as renovating the kitchen.

Three Birds teamed up with online retailer Zanui to finish the home off with beautiful furniture and homewares. With the brief to create a fresh and relaxing home with a distinctly beachy vibe, the interior decorating was made easy thanks to Zanui’s extensive options.

“I just love their wide range of choices and it’s really easy to shop,” says Bonnie. “Take their artwork for example, you can filter by colour, theme and price – and then you get a heap of options. Their products cover absolutely everything from sofas to beds to bar carts and crockery. I was like a kid in a candy shop! We loved the challenge of making over every single space with their range, it was like putting together a giant fun puzzle where everything fits seamlessly. We’re seriously thrilled with the results.”

In this video Bonnie, who is the styling queen of the trio, talks us through what she chose for the room and why:

 

When it comes to renovating a holiday home, Bonnie has a few tips for keeping it in tip-top shape. “Consider adding an outdoor shower and tap so you can wash yourself off after a beautiful day down at the shore! And consider light-coloured flooring to hide any sand that happens to sneak past the outdoor shower!”

Giving your home a makeover can quickly add up, so forget about any form of structural change if cash is tight. “If you can afford to, repaint the walls and floors as it’ll make a big difference,” explains Bonnie. “If that’s still a stretch, change the space using new furniture, homewares and artwork. As a last resort, a few new cushions on your couch is a step in the right direction for that extra pizazz.”

More from Three Birds Renovations | Other house tours

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Designers Expert Tips Interviews RENO ADDICT Styling

How to: Renovate & decorate a holiday home

Based in one of Australia’s vacation hotspots, interior designer Genine Noakes has extensive experience in the renovation and styling of holiday homes. “My focus is on holiday houses as it’s where my expertise lies.  The holiday home rental market in Byron Bay has exploded since I started over a decade ago,” she says.

From designing to project managing and adding the final finishing touches, Genine is something of a holiday home interiors expert. “I started my business after I gained an immense amount of experience renovating and managing my own properties, which are a mix of holiday and permanent rentals in the Byron shire. As a qualified interior designer, I then branched out by offering the same for clientele investing in the area.”

Flexible sleeping arrangements are important when furnishing a holiday home

Inviting spaces
Given one of the main objectives of a holiday is to provide a relaxing environment for its inhabitants, it follows that creating inviting spaces is key. “For me, it all starts with the floor space and flow of the property. The property needs to invite the outside in as this is the first step in creating a relaxing environment. If the property doesn’t have easy access to the external areas, we will create it,” says Genine who recommends bringing the outside in by creating large openings and windows that flow easily to outdoor areas.

The indoor/outdoor flow is key

Comfortable communal spaces are another part of the formula. “You also need to create gathering spaces as when people are on holidays they like to gather, chat and relax. This could take the form of a fire pit, deck or a large eat-in kitchen.” She isn’t a fan of over-designed spaces. “The house has to look and feel relaxing. I see a lot of holiday rental homes on the market going the extra mile for a highly-designed space however you want to create a relaxing space for people who are on holidays, rather than an uptight environment.”

You can never have enough beds in a holiday home

Form & function
Balancing the twin tensions of form and function is also key. “Use large, inviting sofas and cover them with commercial grade fabrics. Also, outdoor fabrics have come a long way so it’s not unusual to use an outdoor fabric for an indoor couch – they are much more durable and stain resistant.” She favours comfortable and sturdy dining chairs for practical reasons too.

Hardy materials are ideal

As for accessories, Genine believes that less is more. “Don’t over accessorise with items on display as things get broken and start looking tacky after a while. Also, bedside lamps are beautiful but always get knocked over and broken – it’s better to go with wall sconces for night time reading,” says Genine.

Genine favours wall sconces as table lamps are prone to breakage

Genine is also a big fan of open storage. “I would always recommend open storage as when you’re on holidays, you don’t really want to have to pack things in a cupboard and chances are that things will get left behind.”

Open shelving ensures things are less likely to be left behind

For more on Genine Noakes

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Interiors Addict

Review: Our stay at Stayz property Yellow Door in Melbourne

We were recently faced with our first interstate wedding since becoming parents which threw us into a bit of an accommodation and babysitting dilemma! We needed to travel to the beautiful Yarra Valley outside Melbourne from Sydney. And we didn’t know anyone in Melbourne we could ask to look after Seb (apart from some other friends also coming to the wedding!). Not keen on leaving him with a stranger, we decided the best plan of attack was to take my brother in law, Uncle Dom, with us! He’d get a weekend in Melbourne on us and we could enjoy a rare night out knowing our 18-month-old was in safe and familiar hands.

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But where to stay? A family room would be a bit, well, awkward! And two hotel rooms? Exy! And hotel rooms aren’t the best places to entertain very active and sometimes noisy toddlers either! So when Stayz offered us the opportunity to stay at one of the properties on their books, Yellow Door, it seemed perfect.

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Yellow Door in Melbourne’s Coburg was a 50-minute drive from the wedding venue in the Yarra and super close to the city for exploring the next day. With four bedrooms we were spoilt for choice. Two had en suites and there was an third bathroom as well.

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But the best part about this house, on a quiet residential street, was how ridiculously family and child friendly it was! Usually, if we go and stay somewhere, we start with the sweep of anything breakable, moving it to a cupboard or a high shelf. But we didn’t need to do that here. Not that it was bare; it was actually really nicely and comfortably furnished. There just wasn’t any extra, unnecessary, breakable stuff! The floorboards were spill proof and it was all on one level apart from a small step down to the living room.

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Of course I’m all about the interiors and this one was really stylish with just the right amount of art, cushions, throw rugs and fresh flowers to look like they’d made the effort. Not a hint of holiday home hand me downs or mix and match nanna chic to be seen! And some lovely period features too.

It got even better when we opened the back door the next morning, in daylight, and discovered a completely fenced yard with table and chairs, where Sebby could happily and safely explore and we could enjoy our breakfast.

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Speaking of eating, the house comes with a high chair and a cot, which was assembled for us (make sure you mention in advance if you stay there and want to use it) and we even found a big box of toys in a wardrobe (you can only fit so many in your luggage after all!).

Mummy and Daddy enjoying the wedding while Uncle Dom babysits back at Yellow Door!
Mummy and Daddy enjoying the wedding while Uncle Dom babysits back at Yellow Door!

This would be an amazing place to stay with a few other couples, or even another family, for a weekend in Melbourne. And even better there’s another house behind belonging to the same people, and it’s possible to rent them both at the same time (connected via the back yard).

Stayz provides whole houses to rent throughout Australia; they don’t offer individual rooms or shared accommodation, but the whole house so you can stay together with your loved ones. This makes it a great option for a family getaway. With more than 40,000 properties on their books, you’re sure to find something that suits you! If you’d like to stay at Yellow Door too, find the details here.

Disclosure: We stayed at Yellow Door courtesy of Stayz in exchange for an honest review.

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House Tours

How to escape reality & live like a millionaire (temporarily!)

We all sometimes dream of living in a multimillion dollar property with all the space you could want, chic furnishings, a pool, a designer entertainer’s kitchen and so on. And how many times have you ‘real estate stalked’ the weekend’s for-sale listings (or is that just me?). Ever thought about staying at one of these amazing luxury properties for a night or two rather than a hotel? Get a group of friends or family together and you’ll suddenly find it an affordable getaway or staycation. I was amazed at the sort of properties available to rent through Stayz so I rounded up a few to show you what I mean!

This stunner is in Sydney’s Darling Point and I was lucky enough to get to look around recently. That sweeping lawn and imposing facade feel right out of the Great Gatsby! This amazing house costs $3,500 a night but sleeps eight. If you divide the cost, this makes it comparable to a 4-star hotel, and you get a heated pool and spa, more rooms than you’ll know what to do with, bags of character and so much more of a luxurious and unique experience for your money, if you ask me. Not to mention privacy.

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I’m still desperately looking for a reason to head back here to stay with a group of friends and live how the other half live for a weekend.

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Isn’t it amazing?

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If you’re in Melbourne, check out this property (below) in Malvern, VIC. It sleeps up to eight from a mere $1,360 a night, making it a relative bargain! It’s as impressive inside as it is out, and even has an elevator and pool.

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The ground floor is a huge open plan living and dining space with gorgeous furnishings. Although do bear in mind that parties are strictly banned here.

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If you prefer something with a little more old world charm, you might, like me, love Eaglemont (below), just 10km from Melbourne CBD. This luxurious mansion has majestic gardens, six bedrooms and five bathrooms, all spread over three levels. Not to mention the pool and games room.

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Although parties and large gatherings are usually not allowed when you book these properties, I absolutely love the idea of getting family together for a special celebration. It is often hard to get everyone in the same house and to be able to stay the night is always a treat and gives everyone more time together.

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Last but by no means least, check out this stunning Spanish style mansion, cantilevered off a cliff in Sydney’s super exclusive Vaucluse! Your from just $2,347 a night and sleeping up to eight (that’s less than $300 each), it retains many period features while having the best of everything new too.

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The interiors, as you can see, are divine. With its calming, white bright palette and sumptuous furnishings, you couldn’t fail to relax here!

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Book more properties like this through Stayz, offering more than 40,000 properties across Australia, from humble beachside shacks to grand country homes and everything in between. Why not think outside the hotel box for your next getaway?

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Homewares House Tours

Stylish Bowral weekender where the furnishings are for sale

I love an old school holiday rental with mismatching nanna blankets as much as the next person and have stayed in many! But I’m also a sucker for something super stylish, unique and luxurious and, now I have a baby, I’m increasingly looking for self-catering options over hotels. House By Them is a charming weekend getaway which provides guests with a unique opportunity to stay amongst innovative art and design while enjoying all that the Southern Highlands of NSW has to offer.

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Located in Bowral, House By Them has been brought to life by Anna Byng and Ursula Armstrong, owners of Made By Others art and design store in nearby Moss Vale. The three-bedroom weatherboard cottage is not just a place to stay but is essentially an extension of the store’s philosophy to showcase the work of innovative artists and designers. The property is furnished with contemporary art, furniture and design – sourced from both emerging artists and established names like Marimekko and Dinosaur Designs.

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What makes it a truly unique place to stay is that guests have the opportunity to purchase anything within the house that takes their fancy, either through the Made By Others store or by being introduced to the artists and designers directly.

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“We’ve always loved connecting people with fabulous art and design through our store,” said Anna. “House By Them is a natural extension of that love. Not only is it a great base for people from which to explore the Southern Highlands, but it is a wonderful opportunity to share some of the art and design that we love with our guests.”

Ursula and Anna worked tirelessly to curate everything, from the furniture to the art on the walls to the homewares, via sources that fitted with their existing philosophies. “While we already knew from our experience at Made By Others where we could source a lot of things, we still really had to look everywhere to find exactly what we needed in order to make the house just right,” Ursula said.

The house is available year-round and can be booked through Highlands Holidays via the website.

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House Tours Kitchens

Talking kitchen design with Guy Sebastian

Last week, I spoke to Guy Sebastian’s wife Jules about the décor in their Gerroa holiday home. This week, we talk about the kitchen – the main focus of the house– with Guy himself.

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Q: What was most important to you when you were designing your kitchen? 

A: Definitely keeping the view as the number one focal point. We had to work the design around two structural poles so it had to have some kind of convenient workflow when it came to cooking too. Of course it had to look modern and slick too — tick, tick, tick!

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Q: What were the benefits of working with a professional kitchen designer?

Continue reading “Talking kitchen design with Guy Sebastian”

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House Tours

Take a look inside Guy Sebastian’s holiday home

Today we take a look inside singer Guy Sebastian’s holiday home on the NSW South Coast. I interviewed his wife, Jules, about creating a family hideaway as well as somewhere perfect for entertaining.

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The couple had been looking for a holiday home when Guy fell in love with the headland in Gerroa and was determined to find something to buy in the area. “This house came up for sale a couple of months later and we grabbed it while we could,” said Jules, a fashion stylist. “In terms of location it was exactly what we were looking for, but we wanted to renovate to make it into the dream home.”

The renovation meant gutting half of the top floor and starting again. Guy got stuck in himself, as walls were knocked out to really open up the view of the ocean, before all the bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchens were renovated. “It was a lot of work,” says Jules, who recently announced she is pregnant with the couple’s second child. “Guy was like Bob the Builder!

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Jules Sebastian

Continue reading “Take a look inside Guy Sebastian’s holiday home”

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Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict teams up with Nest Designs to bring you the Palm Beach apartment project

I have an exciting new project to share with you today and I’ll be sharing it with you from start to finish over the next few weeks! A few months ago, I was approached by Judith Webster, who had just bought an investment property on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, to help her style and decorate it and share the process with my readers.

I loved the idea of course, but with a wedding to organise and not actually being a stylist or interior designer, I thought I decided to pass this project on to my friend Emma Blomfield at Nest Designs, knowing what a great job she’d do. One of you will get the chance to win a weekend away at the apartment once it’s finished! Sound good? Yes, I thought so!

Work has just begun, with a a thorough clearout and paint job and plans for a new kitchen and flooring. Today I’m sharing Emma’s moodboards for each room with you.

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Judith, who first met me when she came to my blogging course at the Australian Writers Centre in Sydney, said: “Earlier this year I bought a two-bedroom apartment at Palm Beach. It is in a small, resort style complex that was developed about 10 years ago for holiday stays. It’s right in the heart of Palm Beach with the beach, restaurants, boutiques and ferry all within walking distance.

Continue reading “Interiors Addict teams up with Nest Designs to bring you the Palm Beach apartment project”