Earlier this year Sophie Fallon and her mother Yvonne Henry found a lovely house on a corner block in Swansea Heads.
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After previously owning a different business, the two decided to do something different and have a bit of fun making it into a beachside holiday escape.
"So we bought in April," Sophie says.
"Our intention was to give it a quick reno/facelift. We joked it was a little bit of Botox, but it turned out to be a full facelift. It turned out we needed to redo the bathrooms; it was more than just paint."
Creativity runs in the family. They'd done up other homes but never had a go at establishing an Airbnb before, and they had a bit of a delay getting started due to the pandemic.
At first they were scared no one would ever be able to book, and they would have to sell, but now things are up and running.
The house is booked through to March next year.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom house is about 20 years old. Sophie and Yvonne got to work with the help of Sophie's husband and a builder.
They put in new flooring and a beautiful raked ceiling. They gave each bathroom a funky different set of tiles, tiny and a bit out-there. They dismantled the laundry and made it into a butler's pantry.
They have tried to give it that fresh funky look with their aesthetics combined.
"It's a bit different than what Mum and I would have done if we were buying to sell, but we've gone with a little bit quirky," Sophie says.
So far they've had two people stay, who had a great time, left fantastic reviews, and booked for next year. Up to nine guests can relax in the open-plan house and well-equipped kitchen.
Three of the bedrooms are upstairs with a variety of sleeping arrangements and the fourth downstairs bedroom has an ensuite with private access to the garden.
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"She's definitely very creative, great at design, and I have a love for it as well," Sophie says of Yvonne.
"The house is blue, a bit of an out-there colour. Normally it's not something that Mum and I would go for, but it's got this great beach vibe.
"We try to market it towards kids and families being a great retreat, fully fenced and safe. We have a cute cubby house and toys and a spa."
They love the coastal theme they've created. They think it really adds to the vibe that you're on holidays, and the beach is right across the street.
The mother-daughter duo have so loved decorating the inside with interesting photography, and Aboriginal art.
"Sophie's covered it all," Yvonne says.
"We randomly decided on beautiful coffee tables you wouldn't buy normally in a shop. We were able to pick up wholesale gorgeous lounges and cupboards at a great price.
"We have a great coffee table from T C Furniture at Albion Park; they're just one-off type items.
"Things like that we had picked up over the years and perhaps had them in storage and pulled them out."
Sophie said one trick is to blend more boutique expensive items with Kmart buys. Her favourite room is the lounge room with the high ceilings, the rope pendant lights and the cane furniture.
"I like the little veranda on the main bedroom upstairs with books and water views. It's a nice private section," Yvonne says.
"But I think every room has something about it that feels good."
The two have loved doing up the house, giving them an excuse to spend money and try new things. If you'd like to see more about the house, follow them on Instagram at @driftswanseaheads.
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