When Hannah Beaden was pregnant with her first child, she and her husband moved into an idiosyncratic property belonging to her in-laws, located about 20 minutes from the beach on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. “It was just a small granny flat and this big shed that weren’t connected,” recalls Beaden, a native Californian who relocated to Australia for a slower mode of living. “Thankfully, my husband is a builder, so he was just able to pop the nursery up to get us through. We work well together—I’ll have a vision and he knows how to make it more practical, so it all comes together really nicely.” Little did the couple know that they were, in fact, embarking on a seven-year journey of piecemeal renovations that would turn the plot of land into their personal oasis.
Built-in shelves off the living room are plywood, as is the built-in bench in the kitchen nook. “We tried to keep things cheaper where we could,” Beaden says, “but it all still needed to be functional and feel nice.”
First, the couple added a guest room to host Beaden’s family when they came to visit from across the globe. Two kids later, they decided to add another bedroom, a so-called rumpus room, and a second bathroom. Eventually they updated the kitchen, too. Over time, the couple continually tweaked the home for function and flow, chipping away at projects with little people underfoot. They DIYedd when they could, and kept costs down by opting for inexpensive finishes, vintage furnishings, and IKEA pickups. Seven years later, their brood has grown—Beaden’s fourth child, a baby boy, born just a few weeks ago—and the punch list is pretty much done.
“We still don’t have all the doorknobs installed,” says Beaden, laughing, just a few weeks out from her due date. “It’s not our ‘forever’ home, and sometimes it’s chaos, but it’s perfect for this time of our lives.” Below, a closer look at their colorful yet serene, chic but child-friendly abode.
Breakfast Nook
“Any time my family comes for a visit, we manage to get just a few little things done to make it a bit nicer. We actually just added a cushion to this bench—it’s easy to put stuff like that off for literally years.” Beaden sourced the fabric from a local shop. A friend sewed it to size. Tablecloth, Adairs. White vase, Resould. As the family’s needs have evolved, Beaden has changed up the layouts and done away with setups that looked pretty but didn’t work in practice. “We used to have a large dining table where this little seating area is, but the kids never wanted to eat around the corner from the kitchen,” she explains.” I had this idea to create more of a breakfast table situation. It was really all just for the kids’ sake, but it flows so much better now.”
Sitting Room
The sitting room will be familiar to anyone following along with Beaden’s social feed. Her husband handmade the blue surfboard on the wall for her as a birthday gift. “People always ask about the holders: They’re from Etsy.” Sofa, James Lane. Armchairs, Adairs. Record player, Crosley. Cushions, Sage & Clare.
Kitchen
The galley-style kitchen is on view within the common spaces, so it was essential for it to be streamlined. “We wanted the kitchen to feel really clean,” says Beaden. The cabinetry is laminate, fabricated by a friend. “The roman shades are just IKEA—they’re super easy to pop up and down, and the pattern makes them interesting.”Backsplash tiles, Tile Factory Outlet. Chrome vase, Country Road.
Living Room
The Castlery sectional blends with Beaden’s penchant for vintage but also injects a modernist vibe. “It’s giving ‘70s—I feel like that’s where my style has gone lately. Everyone asks me about that sofa: It’s one that will definitely stay.” Sheer curtains provide privacy while allowing for filtered light. Floor lamp, McMullin. Rug, Double Online.
Daughter’s Room
“When I was pregnant with my first son and we set the nursery up, we weren’t thinking of it beyond the baby stage,” says Beaden. “When our daughter was born I second-guessed the amount of storage but it actually worked out fine. It’s a long room, and we even managed to fit another bed into the little nook!” Bedding, Sacred Bundle. Canopy, Amazon. Mushroom lamp, Egmont Toys.
“I found this little blue shelf at a vintage shop and repainted it myself,” says Beaden. “It breaks up the room a bit, and it’s just so incredibly sweet.” Curtains, Anthropologie. Bow, Urban Outfitters.
Sons’ Room
Beaden’s older sons share a bedroom that is also outfitted with custom plywood built-ins.
Beaden paired the colorful IKEA rug a vintage green swivel chair and playful signage. Stepping stones, Oskars Wooden Ark.
Primary Suite
Throughout the space, Dulux Natural White paint provides a soft, versatile backdrop. Bowl, Kate Nixon.
“I feel like my inspiration comes from my mom’s house,” says Beaden. “I like mixing old and new, allowing things to be eclectic but also clean and minimal. I really think personal style comes from taking your time and allowing things to change.” Vase, Dinosaur Designs.
Outdoors
The family spends as much time as they can out of doors, basking in the beautiful weather and lush yard just beyond the sliding doors. “Living on 30 acres has been the biggest gift for our kids,” Beaden says. “They have endless space to explore and play—they even have their own little motorbike track.”
