This week i discovered a couple named Kyal & Kara, a husband and wife team from NSW, Australia. After purchasing and flipping their first house together, they had their TV debut on popular Australian show 'The Block' and have since designed/ project managed or completed 35 home renovations.
One thing I took from reading their bio was, from the beginning, they always had their sights on the end goal. Their first home was a long way from their version of ideal, but with bigger renovation dreams in mind, they always held back from spending bits of money on 'making do' - an objective I always try to remember but ALWAYS fail to execute.
I have been following their most recent renovation - Blue Lagoon Build. They bought their new property and decided to completely demolish it, planning the family home from the ground up. I wanted to talk about the Guesthouse. It's a great way to host family and friends, it also works as a short term rental, and above all it is stunning!
It's location is cleverly considered within the property. The studio is not only shielded from street view with a secluded courtyard and private entrance, but provides a barrier between the family home's central garden and the street too. I love the element of complete separation, whilst being part of the same property.
The colour palette for the build is a beautiful collection of soft tones and natural coastal textures. I adore the off white mottled finish of the counter tops [‘Taj Mahal’ Sensa by Cosentino] and whitewashed herringbone floor tiles [Living Bianco Glazed 'Porcelain Textured' by Beaumont Tiles]. These tones pair really well with the warmth coming from the American oak cabinets, and nude floor to ceiling curtains [Alexandria ‘Smoke’, DIY Blinds]. I also love the accessory shelf underneath the overhead cabinets for displaying small trinkets and easy access items.
I also wanted to share this next picture because of the gorgeous lighting seeping in from the curtains creating beautiful shadows across the flooring and accessories.
And that beautiful statement archway, a really simple design feature which has a big impact on the overall space.
The space itself is really simple, enough space and storage for a short term rental. The choice of furnishings represents the beauty coastal theme and feels like 'holiday'. You can't say you would click if you saw this on AirBnb! I think the trick is to keep photography simple and take stellar photos which help sell the property as an 'experience'.
Also, the selection of tiles and finishes in this bathroom work really well and are a great balance of warm vs cool tones, raw vs polished textures, and curved vs straight lines. The terracotta wall tiles have been laid vertically and have a lovely handmade raw aesthetic, each one varying in tone [Decor8 Terracotta Matt, 62x250mm,Beaumont Tiles]
More information about this renovation is found here: https://www.kyalandkara.com/journal/