Sparkling water views. Private pool and jetty. Plenty of room for the whole family. This gorgeous holiday home on the Noosa River already ticked so many boxes as a take-me-there retreat. The missing link? A fresh, modern makeover to match the property’s million-dollar outlook and enviable Noosa Parade position.
The owners enlisted a local designer well-versed in styling and designing stunning Sunshine Coast properties: Gail Hinkley. As the owner of beloved Noosa retail store Signature on Hastings, as well as her own eponymous interior design firm, Gail Hinkley Design, Gail was immediately on brief when it came to this blue-chip beauty.
“The owners requested the home to be modern enough for their children to want to visit often, but still classic and comfortable for their own visits,” Gail explains. This meant an overhaul of the living and dining spaces, main stairwell, four bedrooms, three bathrooms and the powder room.
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It all began with one rather dramatic transformation: replacing the flooring. Jackhammering up the expanse of old terracotta tiles in favour of lighter, more luxurious options from Ceramica Senio was a game-changer for this makeover, setting a serene course for the rest of the project.
Drawing furniture, art and accessories from Cosh Living, Jardan and Signature on Hastings – as well as reusing existing pieces – Gail and her team created an elegant, inviting interior throughout. The designer says working with the expertise of builder Darren Magee of DMC was key, ensuring structural and wear-and-tear issues (partly thanks to the waterside location) could be resolved, alongside more aesthetic updates.
A crisp black-and-white palette is balanced by neutrals and warm, woven textures that give a nod to the nautical locale. Dancing in the sea breeze, the pendants above the dining table are a particular delight. The living spaces beckon you to relax and enjoy the passing parade on the river. Twin occasional chairs have been reupholstered in an eye-catching print, while pops of greenery and washed-back timber tones gently lift the mood. The team also dropped the ceiling slightly in the living room to accommodate new lighting and ducted air conditioning, replaced tired cabinetry with stylish storage and state-of-the-art audio from Premier HiFi, and swept clean once-dark feature walls in a full repaint inside and out.
Even the staircase leading up to the bedrooms was given new life. “The staircase really became the feature, with new tiles, six framed original corals and a painted black railing,” notes Gail. Upstairs, all beds were replaced, except in the master where Gail upholstered a more modern bedhead and matching valance before dressing the rooms in her signature style. “I always use white bedcovers, letting the cushions and art become the feature,” she explains. Outdoor furniture from Parterre completes the scene of coastal luxury and ensures a comfortable perch when the river inevitably entices you into the sunshine.
While the home is available as a holiday let via Noosa’s Niche Luxury Accommodation, we suspect the owners and their family might find any excuse to spend a weekend in this refreshed seaside haven. Now as picture-perfect as the view.
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Photography: Ethan Kostromin
