HOW TO FURNISH A LUXURY HOLIDAY HOME WITHOUT THE HASSLE OF SHOPPING.
By Angela Giles
Family members purchased a three-bedroom apartment in a block of flats in Encounter Bay as an investment (from PJD Real Estate). The desire for the home is to establish a luxury holiday rental catered to families, couples, or groups of friends. However, with busy lifestyles and distance, family members did not have time to shop and organise furniture. So, the family decided to approach the Victor Harbor furniture store Coastal Habitat Furniture for help.
THE BRIEF
Coastal Habitat asked the family members to email ideas, colours, and styles that they liked as a starting point to choosing the right furnishings. As the apartment is a holiday rental, quality and durability were before aesthetics.
The functionality of the space was to be modular so that guests could move around tables and chairs.
The colours were to be based on a Nordic/Scandi Boho look and feel and were also to incorporate textures such as sheepskin, faux fur, and weaves.
The clients also wanted the apartment to be suitable for all seasons by adding an electric fireplace, warm throw rugs, and winter-inspired artwork. They also wanted high-quality beds and linen.
THE PROPOSAL
On the first meeting, Deidre and Jess from Coastal Habitat had already accumulated a list of furniture selections that they had researched from their wholesalers. These included several beds, dining tables, bench seats, side buffets, blanket boxes, couches, modular tables, and outdoor furniture.
In addition, coastal Habitat included furniture suggestions that were durable and easy to clean materials as red wine stains were a concern to the client. The family members also took a walk through the store to look at the furniture on display and found a couch, all lamps, all throw rugs, and all cushions to decorate the apartment.
The process of choosing pieces for the home took approximately 2-hours, followed by a quote. The furniture and linen were ordered that day.
While waiting for the furniture to arrive (4-6 weeks), the clients ordered beds from Victor Harbor Dreamland and electrical appliances from Betta Electrical Victor Harbor. The artwork was purchased online from several different print stores.
DELIVERY DAY
The Coastal Habitat team delivered the furniture to the apartment with the grueling tasks of carrying each piece three flights of stairs to the apartment: manoeuvring the couch and a big table through the small entryway and hallway.
Once inside, each piece was assembled and put into place by the Coastal Habitat team.
Deidre and Jess arranged lamps, throw rugs, furniture, and cushions. Dreamland Victor Harbor delivered the beds that day, and Betta electrical organised a delivery company to provide the rest.
FINAL TOUCHES
The last piece of the puzzle was to include some more décor and plants, which Jacki from Real Life Living handled for the family. First, Jacki spoke to the family via text messages and emails, and then delivered and organised everything in the apartment.
With the apartment completed, it was time for photos. Along with Angela Giles from Get Clicked! Real Estate Photography, Jacki staged the property to show the lifestyle and usability for potential guests to see what they can do during their stay.
As the photos are what potential guests use to judge a property,
these had to be done by a professional Airbnb photographer such as Angela.
THE REVIEW
The family members were relieved and impressed at how easy the process was once they had decided on a colour scheme and style for the apartment. With no time to be hands-on, Coastal Habitat communicated and showed ideas to the family via text and emails.
Not having to fuss about shopping, putting together complicated furniture, and dealing with removalists took away all the stress and concerns they had with furnishing a holiday rental.
