Thousands of people followed Matty J and Laura Byrne’s NSW South Coast renovation online. We all chimed in with suggestions on tile colours, furnishings and design ideas, and the end product is like a dream house by the sea. And as anyone who’s taken on a renovation project knows, beneath those happy snaps and gorgeous exteriors lies a whole lot of grit, stress and family logistics.
In this episode of The Edit, Matty joins Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock to talk about transforming Chante Mer (or Song of the Sea) from a run-down coastal property into a much-loved family retreat and holiday stay.
He shares what it was like renovating while raising two young children and preparing for a third baby, how he and Laura navigated design decisions together, and why opening the home to guests changed the way they think about living spaces.
This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Matty J. Make sure you follow The Edit wherever you’re listening now, so you can be among the first to hear Part 2.
“As much as the carpet was completely disgusting – black mould was growing in every other room – at the same time, standing in every bedroom looking out at the ocean, we were just like, oh my gosh, this is amazing.”
Matty Johnson
“Once I learnt how to fold a towel correctly, it gave my wife so much joy.”
Matty J
Listen now: This episode of The Edit is available via the iHeart app, homebeautiful.com.au, or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch below or listen here.
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