Sisters Emma Read and Sarah Hall co-purchased this sweet weatherboard cottage on South Australia’s stunning Yorke Peninsula in 2015. With the intention to renovate it and eventually rent it out on Airbnb, Emma and Sarah got to work on transforming the rundown space into something special.
Emma, who prior to purchasing the house had been travelling in Sweden, was inspired by the beautiful traditional summer houses she had stayed in while on holiday. The white timber cottages filled with holiday treasures became the main reference for the interiors of this project. Incredibly, during the process, the sisters discovered that the cottage had been a kit home, and had been imported from Sweden by the South Australian government as social housing! ‘Everything made sense’, they explain, and this Scandi holiday feeling was truly brought to life.
Romantic and cosy spaces have been filled with soft linen and a little vintage flair, with plenty of cozy areas for lounging. An excellent priority! These include a rustic outdoor zone (including an outdoor heated bath and shower), and daybeds in the kitchen/dining room for napping! The pair explain, ‘we converted the garage into a large lounging space with plywood, painted concrete and rugs that could handle sandy feet and wet bathers, and filled the space with loads of books and jigsaw puzzles.’ Ultimate holiday vibes.
Reflecting on this project, Emma and Sarah describe the finished product as ‘seaside elegance, yet rustic enough to feel comfortable’. Pack your favourite books (the sisters note that they were reading a lot of Famous Five and Secret Seven to their kids whilst renovating the property) and a pack of playing cards, for an idyllic getaway on the doorstep of the Innes National Park!
My Sister and The Sea is available for booking on Air BnB here!
