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