Thousands of people followed Matty J and Laura Byrne's NSW South Coast renovation online. We all chimed in with suggestions on tile colours, furnishings and design ideas, and the end product is like a dream house by the sea. And as anyone who’s taken on a renovation project knows, beneath hose happy snaps and gorgeous exteriors lies a whole lot of grit, stress and family logistics.  

In this episode of The Edit, Matty joins Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock to talk about transforming Chante Mer (or Song of the Sea) from a run-down coastal property into a much-loved family retreat and holiday stay. 

He shares what it was like renovating while raising two young children and preparing for a third baby, how he and Laura navigated design decisions together, and why opening the home to guests changed the way they think about living spaces. 

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Matty J. Make sure you follow The Edit wherever you're listening now, so you can be among the first to hear Part 2.

This episode covers: 
Matty J and Laura Byrne's Chante Mer renovation 
Renovating a holiday home with young children 
The first walk-through of Chante Mer 
Mould and unexpected renovation challenges 
Designing a family-friendly coastal retreat 
Renovating under public scrutiny 
Opening a holiday home to Airbnb guests 
The reality of running a short-term rental 

🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on Apple Podcasts: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-edit/id1852946910 

Listen and follow on Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/show/1y7phZb4CeMhYzFssKZVcq 

👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit on Home Beautiful's YouTube: 

https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag 

Watch full episodes: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1c73iMScLqZ357jQ_0A3eDGTysM1SUxO 

Credits 

Host: Elle Lovelock 

Guest: Matty Johnson 

Producer: Rachel Fountain 

Videographer: Charlie Potter 

Edited by: Leah Porges 

Head of Vodcasting: Rachel Fountain 

With thanks to our wonderful Home Beautiful team.  

The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and Are Media. 

https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/  

Thousands of people followed Matty J and Laura Byrne's&nbsp;NSW&nbsp;South Coast renovation online.&nbsp;We all chimed in&nbsp;with suggestions on tile&nbsp;colours, furnishings and design&nbsp;ideas, and&nbsp;the end product is like a dream house by the sea. And as anyone&nbsp;who&rsquo;s&nbsp;taken on a renovation project knows, beneath&nbsp;hose happy snaps and&nbsp;gorgeous&nbsp;exteriors lies a whole lot of grit,&nbsp;stress&nbsp;and family&nbsp;logistics.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In this episode of The Edit, Matty joins Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock to talk about transforming Chante Mer&nbsp;(or Song of the&nbsp;Sea)&nbsp;from a&nbsp;run-down&nbsp;coastal property into a much-loved family retreat and holiday stay.&nbsp;
He shares what it was like renovating while raising two young children and&nbsp;preparing for&nbsp;a third baby, how he and Laura navigated design decisions together, and why opening the home to guests changed the way they think about living spaces.&nbsp;
This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Matty J. Make sure you follow The Edit wherever you're listening now, so you can be among the first to hear Part 2.
This episode covers:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Matty J and Laura Byrne's Chante Mer renovation&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Renovating a holiday home with young children&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">The first walk-through of Chante Mer&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Mould&nbsp;and&nbsp;unexpected renovation challenges&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Designing a family-friendly coastal retreat&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Renovating under public scrutiny&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">Opening a holiday home to Airbnb guests&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1">The reality of running a short-term&nbsp;rental&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on Apple Podcasts:&nbsp;
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-edit/id1852946910">https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-edit/id1852946910</a>&nbsp;
Listen and follow on Spotify:&nbsp;
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1y7phZb4CeMhYzFssKZVcq">https://open.spotify.com/show/1y7phZb4CeMhYzFssKZVcq</a>&nbsp;
👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit on Home Beautiful's YouTube:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag">https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag</a>&nbsp;
Watch full episodes:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1c73iMScLqZ357jQ_0A3eDGTysM1SUxO">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1c73iMScLqZ357jQ_0A3eDGTysM1SUxO</a>&nbsp;
Credits&nbsp;
Host: Elle Lovelock&nbsp;
Guest: Matty Johnson&nbsp;
Producer: Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
Videographer: Charlie Potter&nbsp;
Edited by:&nbsp;Leah Porges&nbsp;
Head of Vodcasting: Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
With thanks to our wonderful Home Beautiful team.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and&nbsp;Are&nbsp;Media.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/">https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable. 
Hosted by Editor  Elle Lovelock, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable.&nbsp; Hosted by Editor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellelovelock?igsh=MTZqd2NmajF6eGpjdQ=="> Elle Lovelock</a>, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

THE EDIT

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions.  With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It’s for everyone shaping their sanctuary—whether you’re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions. &nbsp;With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It&rsquo;s for everyone shaping their sanctuary&mdash;whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

In Part 1, Matty J takes Elle Lovelock inside Chante Mer, the South Coast holiday home he renovated with Laura Byrne, and shares what really happened behind the dream renovation. 

Matty J & Laura Byrne’s Chante Mer Renovation: Kids, Cameras and a Baby on the Way (Part 1)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/edf7df0c-6c95-4693-a9ee-b4600062c8bd/transcript

When interior designer Shona McElroy first walked into her Edgecliff apartment, most people would have walked straight back out. The layout was awkward, the kitchen was hidden away, the bathroom opened into the living room, and a closed-in balcony came with terracotta floors, popcorn walls and a popcorn ceiling. 

But Shona, founder and principal of Smac Studio, saw what it could become. 

In this episode of The Edit, Shona joins Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock to talk about turning an old 1920s apartment into a beautiful, functional home, why north-facing light matters, how to avoid the dreaded “Pinterest house”, and what interior designers really think through before a room comes together. 

She also shares how she helps clients edit their belongings when downsizing, why a coffee table book can be the beginning of an entire room, how virtual reality is changing interior design, and the deeply nostalgic item she brought from her mystery drawer. 

This episode covers: 
Shona McElroy’s 1920s Edgecliff apartment renovation 
How to fix an awkward apartment layout 
Why natural light can make a smaller home feel better 
What to know about popcorn walls and ceilings 
How to design cupboards, shelves and drawers around real life 
Downsizing, decluttering and editing sentimental pieces 
How to avoid creating a “Pinterest house” 
Styling travel mementos and meaningful objects 
Coffee table styling tips from an interior designer 
How virtual reality is being used in interior design 
What makes a home feel beautiful, personal and lived-in 

🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on Apple Podcasts: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-edit/id1852946910 

Listen and follow on Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/show/1y7phZb4CeMhYzFssKZVcq 

👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit on Home Beautiful’s YouTube: 

https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag 

Watch full episodes: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1c73iMScLqZ357jQ_0A3eDGTysM1SUxO 

Credits: 

Host: Elle Lovelock 

Guest: Shona McElroy 

Producer: Charlie Potter 

Consulting Producer: Jessie-Lee Klass 

Edited by: Pro Podcasts  

Executive Producer: Jessie-Lee Klass 

Head of Vodcasting: Rachel Fountain 

With thanks to our fantastic Home Beautiful team

 

Learn More: 

The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and Are Media. 

https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/ 

When interior designer Shona McElroy first walked into her Edgecliff apartment, most people would have walked straight back out. The layout was awkward, the kitchen was hidden away, the bathroom opened into the living room, and a closed-in balcony came with terracotta floors, popcorn walls and a popcorn ceiling.&nbsp;
But Shona, founder and principal of&nbsp;Smac&nbsp;Studio, saw what it could become.&nbsp;
In this episode of The Edit, Shona joins Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock to talk about turning an old 1920s apartment into a beautiful, functional home, why north-facing light matters, how to avoid the dreaded &ldquo;Pinterest house&rdquo;, and what interior designers really think through before a room comes together.&nbsp;
She also shares how she helps clients edit their belongings when downsizing, why a coffee table book can be the beginning of an entire room, how virtual reality is changing interior design, and the deeply nostalgic item she brought from her mystery drawer.&nbsp;
This episode covers:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Shona McElroy&rsquo;s 1920s Edgecliff apartment renovation&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">How to fix an awkward apartment layout&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Why natural light can make a smaller home feel better&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">What to know about popcorn walls and ceilings&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">How to design cupboards,&nbsp;shelves&nbsp;and drawers around real life&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Downsizing,&nbsp;decluttering&nbsp;and editing sentimental pieces&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">How to avoid creating a &ldquo;Pinterest house&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1">Styling travel mementos and meaningful objects&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="9" data-aria-level="1">Coffee table styling tips from an interior designer&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="10" data-aria-level="1">How virtual reality is being used in interior design&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1">What makes a home feel beautiful,&nbsp;personal&nbsp;and lived-in&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on Apple Podcasts:&nbsp;
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-edit/id1852946910">https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-edit/id1852946910</a>&nbsp;
Listen and follow on Spotify:&nbsp;
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1y7phZb4CeMhYzFssKZVcq">https://open.spotify.com/show/1y7phZb4CeMhYzFssKZVcq</a>&nbsp;
👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit on Home Beautiful&rsquo;s YouTube:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag">https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag</a>&nbsp;
Watch full episodes:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1c73iMScLqZ357jQ_0A3eDGTysM1SUxO">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1c73iMScLqZ357jQ_0A3eDGTysM1SUxO</a>&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Host: Elle Lovelock&nbsp;
Guest: Shona McElroy&nbsp;
Producer: Charlie Potter&nbsp;
Consulting Producer: Jessie-Lee Klass&nbsp;
Edited by:&nbsp;Pro Podcasts&nbsp;&nbsp;
Executive Producer: Jessie-Lee Klass&nbsp;
Head of Vodcasting: Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
With thanks to our fantastic Home Beautiful team
&nbsp;
Learn More:&nbsp;
The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and&nbsp;Are&nbsp;Media.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/">https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/</a>&nbsp;

Interior designer Shona McIlroy takes Elle Lovelock inside her transformed 1920s Edgecliff apartment and shares clever, practical ways to rethink layout, light, storage, styling and the pieces we choose to keep. 

Shona McElroy: the “fantastically ugly” apartment she turned into a beautiful home

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/da16855c-8d3e-41f0-86dd-b45b00752a97/transcript

Should you decorate a rental like it’s your forever home? According to interior designer, Studio Brie founder and Australia’s Best House host Briellyn Turton, the answer is yes. Known for her personality-driven interiors, love of vintage pieces and playful approach to home, Briellyn joins The Edit to talk renter-friendly styling, whimsical interiors, hosting, lighting, TVs, resale myths and why the most beautiful homes are the ones that make everyday life easier. 

In this episode of The Edit, host and Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock sits down with Briellyn Turton to unpack how she creates homes with character, comfort and function. Briellyn shares how she uses fashion as a starting point for interiors, why she believes in decorating slowly, how to personalise a rental without waiting for the “forever home”, and the one hosting habit every busy homemaker should steal. 

Together they explore why home should feel personal, playful and deeply useful, from where you drop your bag to how you make your coffee in the morning.  

Moments You'll Hear: 
Briellyn’s take on dressing your home the way you dress yourself
How to personalise a rental with art, vintage finds and moveable pieces 
A tour of Briellyn’s much-loved loft-style rental 
Why she moved for a courtyard, hosting space, and a bedroom with beautiful light 
The empty dishwasher and empty bin hosting rule
What “whimsy” really means in interiors
How Briellyn gets clients to trust their own taste 
Why your home should support your rituals, from skincare to coffee
The renter’s dilemma: do you buy for now or forever?
How to de-beige a rental without panic-buying generic furniture
Why downlights should not be the default
What to do when the TV has to be in the living room 
The design mistake Briellyn wishes Australians would stop making 
Why timeless homes are built slowly, not bought in one Saturday

Thank you for listening ❤️ 

before you leave... 

🗣️ Get in touch 

What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and DM us on Instagram  

🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on Apple Podcasts 

Listen and follow on Spotify 

👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit This on Home Beautiful’s YouTube 📺 for full episodes and clips – and don’t miss our home tours! 

Credits: 

Our friend: Briellyn Turton 

Host Elle Lovelock 

Edited by Pro Pods 

Producer: Charlie Potter 

Consulting Producer Jessie-Lee Klass 

Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and Are Media: https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/ 

👀 See more 

Follow Briellyn Turton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briellynturton/ 

Explore Studio Brie: https://www.studiobrie.com.au/ 

Read Briellyn’s Home Beautiful piece on the whimsical era in interiors: https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-ideas/2026-interior-trend-whimsical-studio-brie-briellyn-turton/ 

Follow Home Beautiful on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/ 

Should you decorate a rental like&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;your&nbsp;forever home? According to interior designer, Studio Brie founder and Australia&rsquo;s Best House host Briellyn Turton, the answer is yes. Known for her personality-driven interiors, love of vintage pieces and playful approach to home,&nbsp;Briellyn&nbsp;joins The Edit to talk renter-friendly styling, whimsical interiors, hosting, lighting, TVs, resale myths and why the most beautiful homes are the ones that make everyday life easier.&nbsp;
In this episode of The Edit, host and Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock sits down with Briellyn Turton to unpack how she creates homes with character,&nbsp;comfort&nbsp;and function.&nbsp;Briellyn&nbsp;shares how she uses fashion as a starting point for interiors, why she believes in decorating slowly, how to&nbsp;personalise&nbsp;a rental without waiting for the &ldquo;forever home&rdquo;,&nbsp;and the one hosting habit every busy homemaker should steal.&nbsp;
Together they explore why home should feel personal, playful and deeply useful, from where you drop your bag to how you make your coffee in the morning.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Moments You'll Hear:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Briellyn&rsquo;s take on dressing your home the way you dress yourself</li>
<li>How to personalise a rental with art, vintage finds and moveable pieces&nbsp;</li>
<li>A tour of Briellyn&rsquo;s much-loved loft-style rental&nbsp;</li>
<li>Why she moved for a courtyard, hosting space, and a bedroom with beautiful light&nbsp;</li>
<li>The empty dishwasher and empty bin hosting rule</li>
<li>What &ldquo;whimsy&rdquo; really means in interiors</li>
<li>How Briellyn gets clients to trust their own taste&nbsp;</li>
<li>Why your home should support your rituals, from skincare to coffee</li>
<li>The renter&rsquo;s dilemma: do you buy for now or forever?</li>
<li>How to de-beige a rental without panic-buying generic furniture</li>
<li>Why downlights should not be the default</li>
<li>What to do when the TV has to be in the living room&nbsp;</li>
<li>The design mistake Briellyn wishes Australians would stop making&nbsp;</li>
<li>Why timeless homes are built slowly, not bought in one Saturday</li>
</ul>
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand new&nbsp;podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and DM us on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/">Instagram</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-edit/id1852946910">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;
Listen and follow on&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1y7phZb4CeMhYzFssKZVcq?si=f2b51f1a19fe4554">Spotify</a>&nbsp;
👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit This on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag">Home Beautiful&rsquo;s YouTube</a>&nbsp;📺 for full episodes and clips&nbsp;&ndash; and&nbsp;don&rsquo;t&nbsp;miss&nbsp;our&nbsp;home tours!&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Our friend: Briellyn Turton&nbsp;
Host Elle Lovelock&nbsp;
Edited by Pro Pods&nbsp;
Producer: Charlie Potter&nbsp;
Consulting Producer Jessie-Lee Klass&nbsp;
Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
Learn More: The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and Are Media:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/">https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/</a>&nbsp;
👀 See more&nbsp;
Follow Briellyn Turton on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/briellynturton/">https://www.instagram.com/briellynturton/</a>&nbsp;
Explore Studio Brie:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studiobrie.com.au/">https://www.studiobrie.com.au/</a>&nbsp;
Read&nbsp;Briellyn&rsquo;s&nbsp;Home Beautiful piece on the whimsical era in interiors:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-ideas/2026-interior-trend-whimsical-studio-brie-briellyn-turton/">https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-ideas/2026-interior-trend-whimsical-studio-brie-briellyn-turton/</a>&nbsp;
Follow Home Beautiful on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/">https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/</a>&nbsp;

Interior designer, Studio Brie founder and Australia’s Best House host Briellyn Turton joins The Edit to share her smartest renter-friendly styling ideas, the hosting trick that changes everything, and why your home should support the way you actually live. 

Briellyn Turton: renter-friendly interiors, whimsy and the art of making home easier 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/7ee5b1a1-c2dd-416e-b334-b4520071a271/transcript

What happens after you win The Block, sell the house, have a baby, launch a business and start again? 

In this episode of The Edit, host and Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock sits down with Steph Ottavio, architect, designer, founder of Japandi Estate and one half of beloved The Block duo Steph and Gian. 

Steph opens up about the pressure of renovating on national television, what she and Gian carried from The Block into real life, and how she renovated her own home while pregnant, with a five-month deadline and her mum living across the road. 

But this is also a more personal conversation about the strange quiet that can come after a huge, formative chapter. Steph talks honestly about experiencing “post blues” after The Block, feeling disconnected from purpose, going to therapy, and learning to strip life back to the basics: community, connection, conversation, morning rituals and the little moments that make you feel like yourself again. 

Together, Elle and Steph explore what really makes a home beautiful, from decluttered spaces, layered rugs and 12 skylights to the feeling of walking into a home that has been designed for real family life. 

Moments You'll Hear: 
Why Steph says her home has to be organised so life can be chaotic  
What The Block taught her about pressure, outsourcing and working with Gian  
How Steph renovated while pregnant and moved in before her baby arrived  
The truth about her “post Block blues” and rebuilding a sense of purpose  
Why community became the brief for her next home  
Steph’s take on Japandi style, character within minimalism and why she does not love cold modern homes  
The clever design ideas inside Steph and Gian’s home, including the Jack and Jill bathroom, 12 skylights and a pool craned in through the neighbours  
Her rules for shoes, scent, clutter and the design trend she would happily leave behind  

Thank you for listening ❤️ 

Before you leave... 

🗣️ Get in touch 

What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and DM us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/ 

🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on Apple Podcasts 

Listen and follow on Spotify 

👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit on Home Beautiful’s YouTube 📺 for full episodes and clips https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag 

Credits: 

Our friend Steph Ottavio 
Host Elle Lovelock 
Edited by Pro Pods 
Producer: Charlie Potter and Thomas Crnkovic 
Consulting Producer: Jessie-Lee Klass 
Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and Are Media:  

Inside Steph and Gian Ottavio’s stunning home transformation 

Steph and Gian Ottavio’s Home Beautiful Tour on YouTube 

Steph's Instagram

Steph and Gian's Japandi Estate Instagram

 

What happens after you win The Block, sell the house, have a baby, launch a&nbsp;business&nbsp;and start again?&nbsp;
In this episode of The Edit, host and Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock sits down with Steph Ottavio, architect, designer, founder of&nbsp;Japandi&nbsp;Estate and one half of beloved The Block duo Steph and Gian.&nbsp;
Steph&nbsp;opens up&nbsp;about the pressure of&nbsp;renovating on&nbsp;national television, what she and Gian carried from The Block into real life, and how she renovated her own home while pregnant, with a five-month deadline and her mum living across the road.&nbsp;
But this is also a more personal conversation about the strange quiet that can come after a huge, formative chapter. Steph talks honestly about experiencing &ldquo;post blues&rdquo; after The Block, feeling disconnected from purpose, going to therapy, and learning to strip life back to the basics: community, connection, conversation, morning rituals and the little moments that make you feel like yourself again.&nbsp;
Together, Elle and Steph explore what really makes a home beautiful, from decluttered spaces, layered rugs and 12 skylights to the feeling of walking into a home that has been designed for real family life.&nbsp;
Moments You'll Hear:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Why Steph says her home&nbsp;has to&nbsp;be&nbsp;organised&nbsp;so life can be chaotic&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">What The Block taught her about pressure, outsourcing and working with Gian&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">How Steph renovated while pregnant and moved in before her baby arrived&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">The truth about her &ldquo;post Block blues&rdquo; and rebuilding a sense of purpose&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Why community became the brief for her next home&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Steph&rsquo;s take on&nbsp;Japandi&nbsp;style, character within minimalism and why she does not love cold modern homes&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">The clever design ideas inside Steph and Gian&rsquo;s home, including the Jack and Jill bathroom, 12 skylights and a pool craned in through the&nbsp;neighbours&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1">Her rules for shoes, scent,&nbsp;clutter&nbsp;and the design trend she would happily leave behind&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
Before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand new&nbsp;podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and DM us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/">https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/</a>&nbsp;
🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-edit/id1852946910">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;
Listen and follow on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1y7phZb4CeMhYzFssKZVcq?si=c21d4184afd84009">Spotify</a>&nbsp;
👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit on Home Beautiful&rsquo;s YouTube 📺 for full episodes and clips&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag">https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag</a>&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Our friend Steph Ottavio&nbsp; Host Elle Lovelock&nbsp; Edited by Pro Pods&nbsp; Producer: Charlie Potter and Thomas Crnkovic&nbsp; Consulting Producer: Jessie-Lee Klass&nbsp; Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
Learn More: <a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/">The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and Are Media</a>:&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-tours/steph-and-gian-ottavio-home-renovation/">Inside Steph and Gian Ottavio&rsquo;s stunning home transformation</a>&nbsp;
Steph and Gian Ottavio&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/w-mfEsHqzk4">Home Beautiful Tour on YouTube&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephjoottavio">Steph's Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephandgian/">Steph and Gian's Japandi Estate Instagram</a>
&nbsp;

The Block winner, architect and designer Steph Ottavio joins Elle Lovelock to talk renovating while pregnant, building a home around community, the real comedown after a huge life experience, and why a beautiful home starts with how you live in it.

Steph Ottavio On Life After The Block, Japandi Homes & Finding Herself Again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/4d82df07-4eae-44c9-9601-b44d000f5eb7/transcript

Matty J & Laura Byrne’s Chante Mer Renovation: Kids, Cameras and a Baby on the Way (Part 1)

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