TRANSFORMATION OF THE CABIN - LUXURY HOLIDAY RENTAL IN ENCOUNTER BAY
By Jacki Cornish (Real Life Living) and Ange Giles (Get Clicked! Real Estate Photographer).
A young and busy client bought an Encounter Bay property to rent on the short-term rental market. Given that the previous owners left it in its original state (furniture included), he decided he needed some help. The owner approached Real Life Living and RunMyBnb (both of Victor Harbor) to set the property up ready for guests.
The link to the original listing can be found here.
THE BRIEF
A brief was created after Jacki (Real Life Living) and David (Run My Bnb) met with the owner. Jacki and David established that the home is best suited to families. However, the quirky nature of the log cabin should be enhanced, not hidden. The owner wanted to see what we could reuse and steer away from significant renovations. So, this meant working with the existing pine kitchen and traditional wallpaper and built-in robes in the bedrooms.
Jacki decided on a “coastal cabin” theme that both suited winter and summer guests.
THE PROPOSAL
Jacki from Real Life Living developed a detailed proposal, which included digital mood boards for each room. Jacki also had extensive furniture, décor and artwork recommendations and pricing, the supplier, and the required quantity. The proposal also included kitchen makeover ideas and new lighting throughout the home.
To keep the project under budget, Jacki found and recommended products from economical but stylish retailers. To keep to timelines, she also sourced products likely to be in stock. Jacki also used as much of the existing furnishings as possible.
Jacki communicated with the owner via phone and email with several site visits (both without and without the owner). The proposal stage took around 2- 3 weeks.
DELIVERY
With the completed proposal, the owner took over. He wanted to limit his expenses and decided to purchase and implement most of the styling himself. He did a great job following the guides given by Jacki of Real Life Living which included paint colours and finishes. When a question arose, he contacted Jacki for quick resolution and to keep the project moving.
Towards the end of the owner’s work, he asked that Jacki provide some advice on finishing things off. Jacki noticed that there was ample space in the living room that was underdeveloped. Hence, she put together an additional proposal for this space; a functional and attractive kids zone, which will even further help appeal to the family market.
Jacki’s also recommended soft furnishings to help incorporate the owners chosen artworks.
FINAL TOUCHES
Ange Giles from Get Clicked! Real Estate Photography came in for the photo shoot.
To showcase the benefits of the cabin, Jacki staged each room for the photo shoot. By doing so, Ange was also able to create photos for social media “Insta Moments”. Jacki also added items from local stores to showcase what the region has to offer. This is to entice guests not just to the coast but also to this rental in particular.
THE REVIEW
The client is delighted with the outcome and happy to have had help and guidance throughout the process. Jacki’s support reduced the stress and pressure of designing for guests, not personal taste, and keeping the project on schedule and budget. As a result, Jacki fulfilled the brief, fun family holiday rental with a quirky but thought through feel, separating it from the others 3-bedroom rentals on the market.
