Won over by a ’70s apartment in need of some love, Carissa and Nev Heath enlisted the help of interior designer Danni Morrison to transform it into an inviting beachfront escape.
Photography Coastpark Creative / Interior design Danni Morrison / Words Casey Hutton
Banadero inspiration
“Drawing inspiration from Carissa and Nev’s favourite colour, their appreciation of art and their love of Mexico, ‘Banadero’ is a collection of key elements like trending art pieces, custom tiles, and unique selections,” explains designer Danni Morrison.
Wandering into the ‘Banadero’ apartment block at Cotton Tree on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast one lazy Saturday morning, Carissa and Nev Heath had no intention of buying. “We were killing time more than anything,” recalls Carissa. “But from the moment we walked in, we fell in love.”
The unit was dated, but the couple saw huge potential in its beachside location and cool vintage features, so they snapped it up and briefed interior designer Danni Morrison to create a laidback and luxurious Airbnb.
Renovating within an existing block meant that the floor plan and exterior features would essentially remain the same, but Danni worked cleverly and sensitively within the apartment’s constraints. “Having the assistance of an interior designer to mock up the space prior to beginning the renovation was priceless for us,” Carissa points out.
Home owner Carissa Heath
Danni’s approach incorporated bespoke fixtures and high-quality fabrics and finishes in a thoughtful design that caters to the needs of Airbnb guests. “Drawing inspiration from Carissa and Nev’s favourite colour, their appreciation of art and their love of Mexico, ‘Banadero’ is a collection of key elements like trending art pieces, custom tiles, and unique selections,” she explains.
“Being a small three-bedroom unit, built in an era when cabinetry design and storage solutions weren’t at the level of importance that they are today, meant that maximising space and comfort was high on the agenda.”
In the bedrooms, built-in robes were replaced with open shelving and lift-up storage to free up space. “We also removed built-in shelving at the front door,” explains Carissa. “This was turned into lift-up bench storage for beach equipment and a drop-off area for guests’ belongings when they enter the apartment.”
The laundry and bathrooms were gutted and remodelled with high-quality finishes. Custom encaustic tiles in green, teamed with white tiles and chocolate-brown grout, lend the spaces a nostalgic Mexican energy.
Existing elements of the building were worked into the new design. Its distinctive hooded brown window frames, for instance, are echoed in arched doorways, pill-shaped bathroom basins, and the curved niche behind the dining space. The apartment’s ornate insect-inspired cornices were also left intact, Danni explains. “Who in their right mind would have the audacity to remove those gorgeous little beetles? Not me!”
Strategic updates to the kitchen and living zone made it more spacious and functional. “We really wanted to provide enough seating and comfortable places to relax for up to six guests,” Carissa says. Removing a portion of the kitchen cabinetry opened the space; replacing it with a small woodgrain cabinet created a visual link between the kitchen and living area.
Meanwhile, a new custom-designed furniture piece became the room’s standout feature. The addition of this multi-purpose raised bench was, Danni says, “the ultimate game changer for ‘Banadero’ – acting as a console table, desk, bar, or kitchen island overflow, depending on guests’ requirements”.
“We also introduced the built-in seating area with niche shelving around the dining table for plenty of relaxing space,” Carissa adds.
The renovation, which took place over five months, delivered a holiday apartment that’s as practical as it is beautiful. “The most important facet of the design brief,” says Danni, “was to create a space where guests feel warm, comfortable and relaxed, like they would at home, but with a sprinkle of luxury detail that you’d expect from a five-star hotel.”
