Matty J & Laura Byrne’s Chante Mer Renovation: Kids, Cameras and a Baby on the Way (Part 1)

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 hose 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.

This episode covers: 

• Matty J and Laura Byrne's Chante Mer renovation 

• Renovating a holiday home with young children 

• The first walk-through of Chante Mer 

• Mould and unexpected renovation challenges 

• Designing a family-friendly coastal retreat 

• Renovating under public scrutiny 

• Opening a holiday home to Airbnb guests 
• The reality of running a short-term rental 

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Credits 

Host: Elle Lovelock 

Guest: Matty Johnson 

Producer: Rachel Fountain 

Videographer: Charlie Potter 

Edited by: Leah Porges 

Head of Vodcasting: Rachel Fountain 

With thanks to our wonderful Home Beautiful team.  

The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and Are Media. 

https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/  

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