Home Tour: Three Birds Renovations Turn this Sydney Home into a Modern Mallorcan Escape

The gum-tree-lined streets of Sydney’s Lower North Shore aren’t often associated with the breathtaking coastlines of Mallorca. However, stepping into this gorgeous four-bedroom property, you’re immediately transported to a sun-drenched, five-star boutique hotel in Spain. 

The only catch is that you’re actually in a quiet suburban postcode a million miles away from the home’s Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic. 

This was precisely what the team at Three Birds Renovations wanted to achieve for the family of four who lives here. The powerhouse trio, which is made up of Sales and Marketing Director and Co-Founder, Lana Taylor, Operations Director and Co-Founder, Erin Cayless, and Design Director and Co-Founder, Bonnie Hindmarsh, were eager to sprinkle a touch of Mediterranean magic throughout the property. 

A New Way of Operating

Three Birds operate differently from most renovation services. Instead of providing a specific design brief, the homeowner hands over their budget and their keys to the group, giving them full creative control of the project. 

“They walk away and return to a newly renovated and fully styled home! So, there’s not a client brief as such but we do ask for a wish list. Having been inspired by their travels, our clients requested a Mediterranean influence in the design and styling of their home,” the Three Birds group explains of how they landed on their overall vision. 

While the home had been renovated quite a bit over the years, it lacked a cohesive style and needed a few major structural changes to open it up. 

“It was a bit of a patchwork quilt but there were still some pockets of beauty that we found in the original home. Things like arched windows and rendered walls, these existing features had definite Mediterranean vibes and the home lent itself to this style,” they reveal. 

Let There be Light & Space              

Although the footprint of the house didn’t change, Three Birds opened up the boxy floor plan by removing many internal walls and bringing in massive steel beams to create large, luxurious areas of space for the breezy open-plan layout. 

“We did retain some of the original arched windows which influenced the style of the design and we reused bifold doors in the project. The outcome is a family-friendly, open-plan layout that suits the way this family wants to live,” the group explains.

The kitchen is undeniably the heart of the home, where families and friends come together to eat, drink and be merry. Before the renovation, the kitchen was small, dark, and tucked away in the back of the home. 

“Moving the kitchen to a new space with an open-plan layout joining it to the dining and living areas makes it a space the family will want to spend time in now. There are water views, a beautiful new fit-out with integrated appliances, and an archway to a butler’s pantry for more bench space and storage,” the Three Birds team says. 

Spanish Notes

For their styling choices, the team opted for chic yet subtle nods to Spain. 

“The styling of the home is much more pared back than you’ve seen from us in the past, true to our Mallorcan inspiration. For example, in the parents’ bedroom, there’s not a Euro pillow in sight! Instead, we made the bed in traditional Spanish style.”

“Functionality was as important as style when it came to selecting furniture for the home. We chose a leather sofa for easy cleaning and plenty of seating options. The furnishings themselves reflect the neutral colour palette of the home with pops of black for a touch of sophistication.”

They also embraced a beautifully textured render, stone cladding, a palette of warm-toned whites and delicate neutrals and of course, the trademark arch windows which really pack a European punch.  

Overcoming Obstacles

The Three Birds team admits this was one of their toughest projects yet, citing the fact the home is positioned in the middle of a steep block with limited access, plus they also had to contend with the challenges of COVID-19 and record rain levels in Sydney. 

But despite the obstacles, they couldn’t be more thrilled with the end result.

"It's a little slice of Spain in Sydney. The owners will feel like they’re on a Mediterranean island vacay every day!” 

PROJECT CREDITS

Photographers: Chris Warnes @chriswarnes & Maree Homer @mareehomer.photography

Interior styling: Three Birds Renovations @threebirdsrenovations 

Build: Classic Quarters Group @classicquartersgroup

Words: Bella Brennan @bellarosebrennan

Loved our tour of this Lower North Shore home renovated by Three Birds and want to keep perving some of the most stylish places going around? Take a peek inside the newly revamped boutique hotel, Osborn House. Then check out Bone Made's stylish home renovation of this Inner West property.