Image: Maree Homer for @threebirdsrenovations via Instagram
As one of the co-founders of Three Birds Renovations, it’s only fitting that Erin Cayless would want to give her own family home a glow-up. The team has revealed the finished result and it’s truly glorious – all creamy tones, textural stone and organic accents.
“I think the audience will be genuinely surprised that my house is not white and bright and light and airy,” Erin shared on Instagram. “It is a little bit of a step away from that classic Three Birds look.”
Where is Erin’s wonderfully made-over home? It’s located on a sprawling block in a leafy suburb in The Hills District of New South Wales. having started out as a tired 1990s brick home with a terracotta tile roof, it’s been transformed into a welcoming urban farmhouse.
Erin shares the home with her husband Nathan Cayless, a former professional rugby league footballer and now NRL coach with the Parramatta Eels, and their three children.
It’s the latest in a line-up of extraordinary home renos for the Three Birds Renovations trio. Others in the mix have included co-founders Bonnie Hindmarsh’s dream home and Lana Taylor’s forever home. At this point they’re pros at flipping homes, and Lana is joining the new Channel 7 series Dream Home as a judge in 2024.
True to the Three Birds’ style, Erin’s Urban Farmhouse is full of incredible interior ideas. It has five bedrooms, a kitchen and butler’s pantry, a dining room, a main living room and a family lounge, a study, laundry, main bathroom and three ensuites.
Outdoors is an expansive entertaining zone and landscaped gardens, complete with a pool, tennis court and atrium.
We take a tour of the dreamy family home and get expert tips to emulate the organic interior style.
Inside Erin’s urban farmhouse
It’s hard to believe this beautiful exterior was once anything but. The dated tiles have been replaced with a fresh roof, gutters and fascia in ‘Basalt’ from Lysaght.
Cladding from James Hardie in Dulux ‘Grey Port’ complements the lush surrounds. Black Stegbar windows contrast beautifully.
Main living area
The main living room in Erin’s urban farmhouse is light-filled and open plan, while still feeling cosy. Stone cladding from Artisan Exterior and the Lopi fireplace creates a focal point, with barn-style doors adding a rustic touch.
The key to Erin’s farmhouse aesthetic, says Sydney Rose – stylist for Miss Amara rugs – is that it mixes and matches modern and traditional furnishings and fabrications.
“For this property, Miss Amara’s Vanni rug was styled in the main living area,” says Sydney. “Opting for curved shapes adds balance to a space and is a great twist on a classic rectangle rug that we typically see styled in living spaces.”
Kitchen & living area
The open-plan living area and kitchen embraces earthy details such as a vase, chopping board and mortar and pestle from The Voyage Home.
“Lending itself to the laidback Australian sensibility, the urban farmhouse style utilises a neutral colour palette,” says Sydney. It blends natural materials and layered textures.
The once-tiny back porch was expanded to an impressive 5.5 x 12 metres, providing plenty of space for living, dining, and a fully equipped built-in kitchen for barbeque enthusiasts.
“This was the biggest structural part of this renovation but worth every cent as we love to entertain and plan to spend most of our time out here,” says Erin.
Family lounge room
The second lounge space is everything you’d want in a relaxing zone. The calming sage Dulux ‘Still’ on the walls and ceiling evokes a serene atmosphere. “It’s the perfect shade to bring a beautiful and bold personality to this space,” the Three Birds Renovations team shared on Instagram.
Their top tip for choosing paint shades? “Do not select your paint colour until you’ve sampled a few shades in your space!”
Study
The home office is a place where Erin can go for some quiet time to get things done. It features a window seat and Luxaflex curtains that pull across when it’s not in use.
“Window coverings not only help to create privacy, but also play a significant role in the overall aesthetics of a room,” says Erin. “It is important to consider window treatments early in the planning stage, ensuring they complement the rest of your interior décor.”
Bedrooms
The main bedroom is a serene dream, with walk-in-robes and an ensuite. It’s painted in Dulux ‘Buff It’ with EC Carpets making it soft underfoot.
In Erin and Nathan’s eldest daughter Mia’s bedroom, peachy shades and pretty details abound. A shell artwork from Olive et Oriel sets the tone above the bed, with a Create Estate bedhead and bed linen from Society of Wanderers.
Mia has a built-in desk in her bedroom. The chair and mirror from Alba Atelier add character, while the walls and ceiling are Dulux ‘Buff It Half’.
This boisterous bedroom will stand the test of time for a boy who’s growing up fast. The ceiling detail by IntrimGroup painted in Dulux ‘Blue Metal’ is an inspiring twist on a traditional feature wall.
The mattress, bed base, bedside tables and ottoman are from Freedom, with bedding from I Love Linen. The bench seat fabric is from The Society Inc. Artwork from Olive et Oriel adds a little oomph to the space and picks up the rustic hues in the Clo Studios lamp.
The youngest in the family, Marli, has a bedroom that is fun and playful. It features bedside tables from Black Salt Co and artwork by Jai Vasicek.
Mia has a beautiful study space with desk by Carrera By Design and desk handles by Lo & Co Interiors. Boucle 4304 carpet in Ovie from EC Carpets covers the floor.
Main bathroom
Just like the rest of the house, the main bathroom is full of neutrals, but is warm rather than stark. It features tiles from Tile Cloud, with a bath, vanity, basin and tapware from Reece Bathrooms.
A round Freedom mirror is a lovely feature, next to a Lighting Collective wall light. A white stool from MCM house is a place to pop products while you soak.
Alfresco entertaining area
“Creating a weatherproof outdoor space was a top priority for our family, but figuring out how to achieve that seemed daunting. The range of Luxaflex external awnings provided the perfect solution, allowing us to enjoy our outdoor entertaining area in any weather,” says Erin.
“This alfresco area gets a lot of westerly sun and, in addition to protecting from this, these awnings maintain wind and rain protection as well as light control and privacy all year round.”
The Three Birds Renovations team really have outdone themselves with this wonderfully warm home. We can’t wait to see what they have in store next!
Shop Erin’s urban farmhouse
01
‘Calvin’ occasional chair
$799, Freedom
Best for: Statement seating
The wide seat and broad back make it incredibly comfortable. Upholstered with a textured durable fabric in a creamy white, it will suit any style of home. Perfect for styling up an empty corner or for additional seating in any space. It’s versatile and timeless.
Sizes: 77cm width, 71cm depth, 75cm height, 12.8kg
Colours: Sky Natural
Materials: Seat upholstered with a textured durable fabric with powder coated metal fame
Key features:
- Armless design
- Wide rectangular seat
- Broad back
Best for: Stylish zoning
A contemporary alternative to the traditional rectangle rug, this asymmetrical bean shape rug adds some luxe to a space. Handmade in India by skilled artisans, it’s modern bohemian meets glam.
Sizes: 230cm x 160cm; 280cm x 190cm; 330cm x 240cm
Colours: Ivory cream
Materials: Super soft 12mm weave of 90 per cent wool and 10 per cent viscose, with cotton backing
Key features:
- Handcrafted
- Made from wool
- Ivory cream
03
‘Monty’ leather swivel chair
$2199, Freedom
Best for: A touch of luxury
This occasional chair is oversized with a plump back and seat cushions. It has a large, round pedestal base that lets you twist and twirl. The low back is ideal for lounging, with a swivel base for flexibility.
Sizes: 89cm width, 115ccm depth, 74.5cm height, 38kg
Colours: Camel
Materials: Leather upholstery with timber and metal structure
Key features:
- Large, round pedestal base
- Oversized and roomy
- Hand dyed camel coloured leather
04
French flax linen sheet set in Clay
$325, I Love Linen
Best for: A good night’s sleep.
Made from European Flax grown in France and stonewashed for softness, this linen bedding set is deluxe. It won’t pill and only gets softer with time. The Clay shade is warm and inviting, complementing neutral interiors or working well with complementary shades.
Sizes: Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King
Colours: Beige Gingham, Blush, Charcoal Gingham, Clay, Clay Gingham, Creme
Materials: 100 per cent pure French Flax linen
Key features:
- 1 x flat sheet with hemstich border (sign of good quality)
- 1 x fitted sheet with sturdy elastic (to assist with fit)
- 2 x pillowcases with deep envelope closures (Single and King Single receive 1 x pillowcase)
05
Ecoya French Pear Hand and Body Wash
$29.95 , Ecoya
Best for: An elevated bathroom.
This hand and body wash not only looks divine, but smells good too. It has a rich and sophisticated scent with crisp tree-ripened Queensland pear, vanilla and clove. It’s designed to gently wash and cleanse your skin.
Sizes: 450ml.
Colours: French Pear
Materials: Botanical base of macadamia, coconut and almond oils with vitamin E
Key features:
- Fragrance top notes of pear, lemon and orange
- A nourishing gentle hand and body wash
- Free from parabens, propylene glycol, silicone and artificial colours.
