Chante Mer House by Matt Johnson and Laura Byrne

Sometimes beautiful relationships come out of reality TV shows, and then, as the saying goes, first comes love, then comes marriage… then comes a beautiful home renovation (or something like that). The Chante Mer House, designed by Matt Johnson and Laura Byrne, an Australian couple who became national celebrities after meeting on The Bachelor in 2017 and going on to marry and have two beautiful daughters, is what bathroom renovation dreams are made of.

Their thoughtful approach to planning a home renovation, combined with carefully selected TileCloud tiles and Yabby Antique Brass tapware, has created a stunning coastal bathroom that perfectly captures the vibes of their oceanfront location. The theme of the house perfectly represents the Chante Mar House’s South Coast location, along the Ulladulla coast of NSW.

Meet Matt Johnson and Laura Byrne

Matt "Matty J" Johnson and Laura Byrne first met on Season 5 of The Bachelor Australia in 2017, and as they are a bit of a success story in the land of reality TV, their love story has continued to be followed by many fans since. The couple married in 2022 at Cupitt's Estate Winery on the South Coast—the exact magical location that inspired their latest project. Laura, a successful radio host, podcaster, and jewellery designer behind Toni May, brings her creative eye to every project. Matt, with his natural on-camera presence and genuine approach to life, documents their renovation journey with refreshing honesty.

Their South Coast project has something special about it that has captured the imagination of renovation enthusiasts across Australia (and us included!).

The Chante Mer House Story

Chante Mer House, meaning "sing the sea" in French, came to life after the discovery of a house that had been abandoned for two years before the purchase. This meant that the home renovation had huge potential but also some significant challenges.

“Whilst we were renovating, we were still living in Sydney. The only tricky part about this was the fact that it's a 3.5-hour drive south from Sydney. So during the renovation, it meant a lot of commuting back and forth during the week," Matt explains.

Their commitment to honouring the home's original character while creating something beautiful and functional has made their renovation journey an engaging viewing for their community..

Planning a Home Renovation: Lessons from the Professionals

Matt and Laura's approach to their renovation shows what happens when a couple brings enthusiasm to a project, with a touch of reality when it comes to challenges arising.

"We hit this reno at some serious pace! The moment we got the keys, our builder was in there ripping out everything old and damaged - at the same time, we were frantically trying to make creative decisions for the rest of the house," they share.

For first-time renovators, their experience offers valuable insights: "For us, choosing suppliers and trades can make such an enormous difference. It's such a team effort tackling a renovation, and we couldn't have done it without their help."

The 12-month ensuite renovation timeline included some unexpected challenges. "The only major delay we experienced early on was a white ant infestation, which meant we had to close down the site for a couple of weeks while the house was fumigated."

The TileCloud Experience: From Showroom to Installation

"We were regulars at Tile Cloud! I've lost count of the amount of times we were in the showroom. It almost felt like we could open our own showroom at home with the number of samples we had," Matt laughs.

Their tile selection process for the project wasn't straightforward. "For the bathroom, it took about 4 trips to Tile Cloud and many discussions before we finally agreed on the Noosa Tile. We knew we wanted a stripe look but couldn't agree on the final colour."

The final decision came down to the wire. "Originally, our bathroom was going to be a green and white stripe but Laura had the decision (very last minute) to change it to Zellige Beige and Bone, which was something I pushed back on. But I'm so glad we changed it, it works perfectly together and I absolutely love it."

The Tile Selection: A+ Coastal Design

Looking at the finished bathroom, you can see how their tile choices work together to create something truly special. The vertical stripe pattern using the Noosa Beige Glossy Tile and Semi Gloss Zellige Bone Handmade Subway creates a lovely geometric backdrop.

The alternating beige and bone tones in a vertical orientation draw the eye upward, making the 5m x 1.5m space feel larger while maintaining that coastal, relaxed atmosphere. The handmade quality of the Zellige tiles adds character with the subtle variations that make each tile unique. For more ideas for a small bathroom, check out our previous blog for small bathroom layout ideas.

Yabby Antique Brass Tapware: Consistency Throughout

"The only part that we agreed on straight away was having antique brass for the tapware - we've then kept this material consistent throughout the entire house," Matt reveals.

The Yabby Antique Brass tapware is absolutely perfect in this space. The warm brass tones complement both the natural timber vanity and the more dramatic marble-look benchtop. The wall-mounted design keeps the lines clean and modern, while the antique brass finish adds that touch of warmth that makes the whole space feel super special.

The Challenges of First-Time Renovation

"I think the most challenging part was trying not to suffer from decision fatigue. Being our first renovation, you're totally ignorant of how many decisions you need to make. For example, we knew we needed to choose the tiles, but then you quickly found out you need to decide on what formation they're laid out as well as the grout colour. Every decision has almost four more decisions that are required off the back," Matt explains.

Their advice for managing the process? "We were extremely lucky that we could rely on our builder as a sounding board for decision-making. We also reached out to friends of ours, Jess and Tina, who own the interior design agency - We Are Triibe. They were able to let us know that we were on the right track and ensure our creative decisions were going to be cohesive with the rest of the house."

Designing a Cohesive Bathroom: Professional Support

"We both were working full time, so it was a full-blown juggling act during the renovation. Many late nights staring at samples, wondering if we were creating something special or designing a monstrosity of a house," Laura shares, highlighting the reality many renovators face when balancing career and home renovation projects.

"I think having a design consultant was a game changer for us - not only were they able to help with creative recommendations, but also advice on quantities for materials. Having someone give you a handhold, especially when you're feeling overwhelmed by the whole process, was a breath of fresh air," they share about their TileCloud experience. This professional guidance helped them create a cohesive bathroom design where every aspect works together beautifully.

Matt and Laura’s Chante Mer House bathroom renovation proves that great design comes from thoughtful planning, quality materials, and staying true to your vision. Their combination of TileCloud tiles and Yabby Antique Brass tapware creates a space that's both beautiful and practical, perfect for their growing family and the coastal lifestyle they love.

Their honest sharing of the renovation journey shows that home renovation success comes from having the right team, taking time with decisions, and not being afraid to change your mind when something better comes along.

Ready to start your own bathroom renovation? Check out our guides on bathroom tile ideas and our comprehensive bathroom essentials checklist to make sure you've covered everything for your renovation.

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