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.
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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.
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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.
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And that beautiful statement archway, a really simple design feature which has a big impact on the overall space.
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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'.
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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]
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More information about this renovation is found here: https://www.kyalandkara.com/journal/
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