From 1960’s beach shack to a Palm Springs paradise: Inside Bilinga Beach Abode

When your family home can be rented out as a photoshoot location, you know you’re onto something good. We took a tour of Bilinga Beach Abode with Sarah Waters, home owner and boss Mumma of small business, Bubbles Lane.

Grab the sunscreen and your stylish straw hat — this home tour is HOT.

Related article: Palm Springs vibes with a visit to the Suncatcher House
Related article: Inside organising queen Steph Pase’s home from Just Another Mummy Blog

Bilinga Beach Abode_house view
Bilinga Beach Abode_Family in sunken lounge
The Waters family, owners of Bilinga Beach Abode

Beginning the renovation in 2008, Bilinga Beach Abode was a labour of love for the Waters family — Aza, Sarah, and their 3 children, Braxton, Frankie and Chili.

“We purchased the property with the intention of doing a quick flip on it. We ended up falling in love with it and never left,” laughs Sarah.

“Originally it was a 3 bed, 1 bath home with a single car garage. It was 100% asbestos inside, and was red brick with a yellow roof and black guttering. Not the prettiest of homes, but we saw a lot of potential in it.

“Post renovation and we’ve got a 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with 2 living areas, 2 car garage and some fabulous features like the external chimney / fireplace, bar and sunken lounge area.”

Shop the look: Palm Springs paradise

Rattan arch bookshelf
Rattan arch bookshelf
Rattan cabinet
Rattan cabinet
Peace cushion
Peace cushion
Brass palm tree hooks
Brass palm tree hooks
Brass pineapple door knocker
Brass pineapple door knocker
Natural replica Ay Illuminate
Natural replica Ay Illuminate
Bean bag cover
Bean bag cover
Rattan sun lounge
Rattan sun lounge
Rattan drawers
Rattan drawers
Rattan queen bed frame
Rattan queen bed frame
Rattan bar cart
Rattan bar cart
Rattan arch bookshelf
Rattan arch bookshelf
Rattan cabinet
Rattan cabinet
Peace cushion
Peace cushion
Brass palm tree hooks
Brass palm tree hooks
Brass pineapple door knocker
Brass pineapple door knocker
Natural replica Ay Illuminate
Natural replica Ay Illuminate
Bean bag cover
Bean bag cover
Rattan sun lounge
Rattan sun lounge
Rattan drawers
Rattan drawers
Rattan queen bed frame
Rattan queen bed frame
Rattan bar cart
Rattan bar cart
Bilinga Beach Abode_front of house_before
Home before the renovation
Bilinga Beach Abode_exterior after
And after

With a young family and living in Bilinga on Queensland’s Gold Coast, the couple made sure to make the most of the beautiful outdoors.

“This is definitely a family home. We live in a beautiful part of the world and wanted to make the most of it,” Sarah explains.

“Our pool is an absolute favourite with everyone! It’s lined with encaustic patterned tiles and was designed to have all day sun. It faces north west to take in the amazing sunsets.

“The kids love it and so do we. You basically step out of the lounge room and into the pool. You can also see it from our kitchen and the outdoor chimney fireplace looks over it too. It’s pretty special!

“Another feature is the skate ramp. We built it from scratch and have to paint it regularly to maintain it and give it life, but the kids absolutely love it. It’s worth every layer of ply and every coat of paint to see so much fun and smiles.”

Bilinga Beach Abode_pool
Bilinga Beach Abode_skate bowl

It’s clear to see there wasn’t much to save from the original home, but Sarah and Aza brought in new elements, designed to look original.

“We kept the original floorboards and then extended the house by 110m2. We also added a double garage and guest house.

“The breeze blocks aren’t original, but we love their style — very Palm Springs! They of course help create breeze, but also give off some beautiful shadows.

Blue skies and breeze blocks always seem to go well together.

Bilinga Beach Abode_facade_before
During the renovation
Bilinga Beach Abode_facade_after
And after

The bathrooms are an absolute stand out and the main reason this home is a sought-after photoshoot location.

“It’s pretty cool that our home is often used for photoshoots,” smiles Sarah.

“The bathroom with the cactus is our favourite room in the house. It was originally our laundry when we first purchased it!”

Bilinga Beach Abode_bathroom view
Bilinga Beach Abode_pink bathroom with bath

Set on a style from the get-go, Sarah says picking a theme and sticking with it is key to any renovation project.

“Our house is Palm Springs style. We do all our design and styling as a team, so we know we’re both going to be happy with the end result.

“When it comes to tackling a renovation project, I think it’s really important to know what style you’re going for. Once you have an idea of what you love, stick with it throughout the whole journey.

“Other reno tips are to look for as much natural light as possible without giving up privacy,” suggests Sarah.

“And it’s good to plan everything around the area where you’ll spend most of your time — for us that was obviously the outdoors. We also suggest planning your budget room by room, and if you can, incorporate high ceilings.”

Bilinga Beach Abode living before
Before…
Bilinga Beach Abode_living_after
And after

Thank you so much to Sarah and Aza for showing us around their fabulous home renovation. Find more from them on their Instagram here. And be sure to check out Bubbles Lane, Sarah’s small business.

More home tours here

Photography by Louise Roche, Villa Styling — check out Louise’s own house tour here.

Bilinga Beach Abode_side of house
Bilinga Beach Abode_sunken lounge area
Bilinga Beach Abode_lounge to outdoor space
Bilinga Beach Abode_outdoor kitchen
Bilinga Beach Abode_open plan living
Bilinga Beach Abode_shower with cactus view
Bilinga Beach Abode_pink bathroom bath
Bilinga Beach Abode_kitchen
Bilinga Beach Abode_boys bedroom
Bilinga Beach Abode_bedroom
Bilinga Beach Abode_guest bedroom
Bilinga Beach Abode_hallway
Bilinga Beach Abode_seating area
Bilinga Beach Abode_front door

Shop the look: Palm Springs paradise

Rattan arch bookshelf
Rattan arch bookshelf
Rattan cabinet
Rattan cabinet
Peace cushion
Peace cushion
Brass palm tree hooks
Brass palm tree hooks
Brass pineapple door knocker
Brass pineapple door knocker
Natural replica Ay Illuminate
Natural replica Ay Illuminate
Bean bag cover
Bean bag cover
Rattan sun lounge
Rattan sun lounge
Rattan drawers
Rattan drawers
Rattan queen bed frame
Rattan queen bed frame
Rattan bar cart
Rattan bar cart
Rattan arch bookshelf
Rattan arch bookshelf
Rattan cabinet
Rattan cabinet
Peace cushion
Peace cushion
Brass palm tree hooks
Brass palm tree hooks
Brass pineapple door knocker
Brass pineapple door knocker
Natural replica Ay Illuminate
Natural replica Ay Illuminate
Bean bag cover
Bean bag cover
Rattan sun lounge
Rattan sun lounge
Rattan drawers
Rattan drawers
Rattan queen bed frame
Rattan queen bed frame
Rattan bar cart
Rattan bar cart

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. This means when you click on a link and purchase something from that site, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Koala cleaning

NO COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here