Home Tour: Cali Cool

Three Bird Renovations are no strangers to being handed full creative control of their clients’ homes. Known for their airy, fluid and luxe interior style, the owners of House 17 knew from the get-go that they were in good hands. The only requirement — more space and a swimming pool. The Three Birds team took this freedom and ran, transforming this family home into a light-filled haven where functionality and beauty come together in perfect proportions.

The original layout, a rabbit-warren design with little natural light, posed a challenge. To bring in sunlight while maintaining privacy and ambience, the team installed carefully chosen Luxaflex® window coverings throughout. In the main living areas, soft, eggshell-colored drapery frames the doors to the backyard, filtering the afternoon sun and lending a serene glow.

Windows flanking the fireplace feature soft shadings that allow light to play across the room while preserving privacy. “The warmth of the colour palette, combined with thoughtful light control, ensures the room feels peaceful at any time of day,” Three Birds explain. Oversized pendants in the dining area add sculptural beauty without blocking views, while soft Luxaflex® drapery frames the windows and brings flow from room to room.

With the light mastered, attention turned to layering texture and warmth throughout. Neutral walls and cabinetry set a tranquil stage, enhanced by timber, brushed gold accents, and soft textiles. Pops of earthy tones appear in furnishings, upholstery, and even the nursery walls (in Dulux Terra Rose), giving each space its own personality while maintaining cohesion.

Original bricks were reclaimed and exposed in the hallway, stone cladding adds depth to the façade, and board-and-batten cladding on the extension creates a modern architectural edge. The result is a home that feels elevated yet inviting, with every material — timber, stone, brass, textiles — given its moment to shine.

For the Three Birds team, tonal consistency was key. By sticking to a cohesive palette, they could mix stone, timber, cladding, and brass without overwhelming the senses, layering textures in a way that feels intentional and sophisticated.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of the renovation was the structural changes required to achieve the family’s goal of a forever home. The extension, which houses an open-plan kitchen, living area, and 5.5 metre high-vaulted cathedral ceilings, needed to be made without taking away too much from the backyard. Clever zoning and a high-ceiling extension solved it.

“The terracotta roof tiles also turned out to be too fragile to repaint, so we pivoted to a full re-roof with durable concrete tiles — a decision that ensures long-lasting beauty.” As for the cathedral ceilings, the team notes, “this feature not only floods the space with light but also adds scale and grandeur.” The final major structural change was relocating the entry door from the side of the house to create a proper sense of arrival.

Always ones to go above and beyond, the Three Birds team thoughtfully crafted a recycled timber pergola from the final timber bridge in Inverell Shire, NSW, adding an extra touch of character and longevity.

For the family of five, the renovation transformed the home into a modern retreat. Oversized west-facing windows frame the pool and alfresco area, seamlessly connecting indoors and out. An added bedroom, multiple living spaces, and a swimming pool make everyday living feel resort-like. With House 17, Three Birds delivered exactly what was asked for — more space and a pool — while creating a home where beauty, function, and comfort coexist effortlessly.

Project Credits

Photographer: Chris Warnes & Kristian Beek

Interior Designer: Three Bird Renovations @threebirdrenovations

Build: Classic Quarters Group @classicquartersgroup

Loved reading all about this cool Cali bungalow? You might also like this colourful family home and this entertainer’s haven.

Writer

Olivia Storrie

26 September 2025

Armed with an Arts Degree in History and Psychology from the University of Sydney, a natural curiosity and a ravenous appetite, Olivia is your go-to for restaurant recommendations across the city. She also has a keen interest in hiking, patting other people’s dogs, travelling, curating her maximalist home and reading every book she can get her hands on.