By Lana

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

Have I ever told you how Bonnie and Erin holiday together and never invite me? They even have the audacity to talk about it right in front of me and then look dumb-founded when I say, “you know I’m sitting right here? I can hear you”.

If it’s not Byron Bay they’re off to, they’re convoying up the freeway to Bon’s beach house at Pearl Beach.

I have never been invited to the beach house – in fact I eventually had to invite myself up there. But just as we were reversing out of our drive to head up to Pearl, car packed to the hilt, she calls with some lame excuse – something about her waters breaking and going into labour. I mean really!? The nerve of that girl.

Well it turned out her excuse was legit - Dodge Billy Hindmarsh was born the next day.

So newborns aside, I had to patiently wait for another call up to Pearl Beach.

THE PHONE CALL

And then one day….. I got the call. It went something like this:

Bon: Hi babe, hey you know my house at Pearl Beach?

Me: Yeeees (trying to contain my excitement)

Bon: Yeh well I was wondering if you’re free to come up here for…….

Me: I’m free! (I say cutting her off)

Bon: I’m going to do a quick reno on the house and was hoping you could come and help move some furniture and other stuff.

Me: ……. (I am mute)

Bon: You there Lans?

Me: So, I’ve waited years for an invitation to Pearl and now it finally comes, but it’s for work, not pleasure?

Bon: Yes that’s right.

Me: Ok sweet – when do we start? (I get over things pretty quickly - although my husband would dispute that)

BON'S SLICE OF HEAVEN

A beach house is the ultimate dream for many Aussies. Who doesn’t want to be able to finish up a long day at the beach and, with just a short walk, arrive back to a shower and a comfy place?

The purchase of her Pearl Beach Shack was a dream for Bon’s family that finally came true, and it has quickly become her favourite place on earth, holding many wonderful memories for her family and friends. Bon and Nath have hosted many New Years parties there, and God only knows (because I certainly don’t) what kind of hilarious scenes its walls have witnessed after the gang has shared a few HNY champas together!

THE RENO BRIEF

We faced the challenge that many people do with a holiday rental – amazing location but the actual building is basically a small rectangular box. And it’s always a bit of a challenge to open a small space up without it ending up feeling like a tent with the sides up!

Bon wanted to create a relaxed, modern, easy-breezy styling, with floors that can hide a little bit of sand so she doesn’t have to spend evenings cleaning when everyone wanders home after a long day at the beach. The perfect indoor/outdoor layout for chilled long summer nights entertaining friends around the BBQ.

A PEARLER OF A RESULT

By combining a great layout, our favourite door and window options (yes, this place has a gas strut window, too!), stunning white-wash floors, a gorgeous new kitchen, our usual bazillion gallons of white paint, and beautiful furniture, we were able to create an open, airy space where outdoors and indoors blend seamlessly. The perfect Beach Shack for all those parties that I may or may not be invited to in the future! xx