Coastal Home Renovation: Gemma’s Light Filled Family Retreat

Coastal Home Renovation: Gemma’s Light Filled Family Retreat

When Gemma, now CEO of Three Birds Renovations, began planning her own family home renovation, she wasn’t starting with limitless possibilities. The footprint was set, and council allowances meant building up wasn’t possible. Instead, she was working within a compact coastal block and a clear list of functional requirements.

“I had a set space to work with in regards to my floorspace and council allowances for going up” she explains. “I knew it was going to be compact, but there were certain functionality requirements I needed like four bedrooms. We also needed a small office or TV room for the kids for my sanity.”

Four bedrooms were non negotiable and a dedicated retreat space was essential, so practicality had to come first. At the same time, she was determined that the home would not feel constrained by its footprint. “I needed it to still feel impressive and have a few wow moments throughout the design of the home, even though it’s compact.”

What she ultimately created is not only a family home, but a space thoughtfully designed to transition into an Airbnb ready retreat when needed, without ever feeling like a short stay property first. That balance between practicality and presence shaped every design decision that followed.

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Designing a home that feels expansive

Rather than pushing against the home’s size, Gemma focused on how it would move and breathe. Flow became more important than floor area, and sight lines were carefully considered so the connection between the kitchen, living area and terrace would feel generous rather than restricted.

“We managed to squeeze in a lot for a small space and yet it still feels largely open and expansive,” she says, reflecting on how much functionality was layered into the footprint.

When the bifold doors are pulled back, the terrace becomes a true extension of the living zone. Light pours in and the breeze moves freely through the space, stretching the visual footprint well beyond the walls and reinforcing that sense of openness.

Being so close to the beach naturally called for lightness, but Gemma was clear she did not want an all white interior. “It needed a lightness, but I also knew I didn’t want all white. Injecting colour was important because it’s reflective of our personalities and the kids.” That decision gives the home depth and warmth, creating a coastal aesthetic that feels layered rather than stark.

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Even the dining nook reflects that thinking. Carefully positioned, it adds intimacy without interrupting flow. “The dining nook was a clever and necessary use of space but also adds a touch of cosy luxury.”

The freestanding bath that nearly didn’t happen

Of all the decisions in the renovation, one stands out as both the most debated and the most technically complex. In the master bedroom, positioned against the wall opposite the bed, sits a freestanding bath within the bedroom rather than tucked away in the ensuite. It is an unexpected move in a family home and one that required real conviction.

When reflecting on the most challenging design decision of the build, Gemma points directly to it. “Definitely getting the freestanding bath in the master bedroom. It’s not in the actual ensuite, it’s in the bedroom against the wall from the bed.”

The vision was clear from the beginning. She imagined soaking in the bath with the balcony doors open and the ocean beyond, creating a space that felt somewhere between a private retreat and a boutique hotel. “I really wanted it there because I love having baths and thought it would be the ultimate dream to be able to have a bath and open up the balcony doors to overlook the ocean. It feels like an outdoor bath and I just love it.”

Turning that vision into reality required careful planning and collaboration. “The whole master bedroom had to be waterproofed. We also had to tile the area and find a way to get the plumbing pipes to fit within the confinements of the floor space.” Her builder initially had reservations, but she trusted her instinct and worked through the technical challenges together with him. “My builder thought I was nuts and tried to talk me out of it, but we found solutions together in the end.”

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Designing for guests without losing privacy

From the outset, Gemma wanted the home to feel like a permanent retreat. It needed to work beautifully for her family, but it also had to function effortlessly when the home is rented out on Airbnb. “I also really wanted to make the home feel like you’re on holiday all the time,” she explains.

That intention shaped practical decisions throughout the house. Bedrooms were designed with flexibility in mind so guests could feel comfortable without compromising personal space. “I tried to design the bedrooms with two sets of cupboards and drawers so one could be locked off and the other for guests,” Gemma says.

The master bedroom includes built-in storage around the headboard, while the walk in robe sits separately and can be secured when needed, particularly when the home is rented out on Airbnb. This subtle planning allows the house to shift seamlessly between private family living and short stay hosting without feeling staged or impersonal.

When the bifold doors open completely from the kitchen and living area onto the terrace, the holiday atmosphere becomes tangible. “It makes you feel like you’re on vacation and it doubles the living space,” she adds, reinforcing that the design was always about experience as much as layout.

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The window that taught Gemma a lesson

Not every renovation decision unfolds perfectly, and one of Gemma’s biggest lessons came from something deceptively simple: a window. “I made some errors on this renovation with window size in the main bathroom. Initially it was way too small.”

The moment she saw it installed, she knew it wasn’t right. “Once I saw it installed I just knew I needed to change it.” Fixing it meant returning to council and accepting delays in the build timeline, but living with it would have meant ongoing frustration. “This added significant delays to the build as I had to amend and go to council, but I knew I would kick myself forever if I didn’t fix it.”

Today, the oversized window floods the bathroom with natural light and acts as a defining architectural feature. “Thankfully the window is now massive and a feature of the bathroom,” she says. If you are designing within a tighter footprint, exploring small bathroom renovation ideas early can help avoid similar mistakes.

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A backyard that delivers on lifestyle

The yard may be compact, but it delivers exactly what the home was designed for. “Lastly the pool and spa was worth every dollar,” Gemma says. “We have a small yard but the small pool is perfect for the family and guests.”

Rather than prioritising lawn space, the focus was on creating a lifestyle zone that felt restorative. The spa has quickly become part of her weekly rhythm. “The spa is typically where you’ll find me on a Sunday afternoon with a drink.”

It is in these everyday rituals that the renovation truly proves itself, reinforcing that the brief was always about feeling rather than scale.

Gemma’s advice for anyone renovating

When asked what she would say to someone currently planning or deep in a renovation, Gemma’s advice is thoughtful and direct. “Before starting to collect inspiration and mood boards, really focus on asking yourself how you want to feel in your home. What emotions do you want it to evoke for you. Then build out your vision with those emotions in mind.”

Seven years ago, long before becoming CEO of Three Birds Renovations, she completed Three Birds Reno School herself. “I’m not just saying this because I’m now the CEO. I did the course about seven years ago and since then it’s given me the ability to renovate with confidence and I have done a number of renovations since.”

Beyond confidence, it delivered tangible benefits. “It also gives you access to great discounts for the build and I have used those for all my projects, including this one, and the money I saved was substantial.” Even now, she approaches renovation with humility. “Even though I’m CEO I’m also an eager student.”

That mindset perhaps explains why this home feels so resolved. It was never about stretching the footprint beyond its limits, but about stretching the experience within it and designing a space that feels expansive in spirit, generous in flow and grounded in intention.

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