This week we chat to Sarah Waters
Creative mama of three, founder of Bubbles lane children's decor
and together with hubby Aza creator's of the Bilinga Beach abode.
We take a journey through there 1960s inspired beach house in Munster and find out a little bit more of how they juggle this big ball of fun life!
About the Waters family behind Bilinga Beach abodes?
I am Sarah and my husband is Aza. I have a business that I started in 2012 called Bubble's Lane, I hand make childrens decor. I am an asthmatic along with a crazy amount of allergies and Aza use to call me his bubble girl and my maiden name is Lane hence where the name for my business steamed from. Aza is one of the originals from a beer company called Balter. He heads up all the design and operations of Balter. What drives us is our three little kids, Brax who is 9 years old and loves to surf and an extremely active kid. Frankie is our 6 year old soft hearted girl that we call the shopper of the bunch. Finally we have Chili, our 3 year old surprise child after both of the elder siblings were numerous rounds of IVF and we were thinking we were done and this little barrel of laughs came along naturally.
The story of Bilinga Beach Abode?
Well we purchased this property that was built in 1960's around an idea to maybe renovate and sell. We began a renovation more on a cheaper side rather then over capitalising and being more cost effective to flip. But we just simply feel in love with the area. Given the fact we were massive beach goers and only 180 steps from the sand our direction changed and we started re renovating for our love, style and passion of the design. As we progressed through the renovation I shared a photo and some stories on my Bubbles Lane instagram and we had two companies in the same day message us and ask if it was possible to do a shoot at our house. I then asked Aza his thoughts and he felt there was no harm in it and on the day of shooting we were asked if we had a page for our home. We decided ok maybe we can share our journey of our renovation and it just took off from there. We are very humbled and flattered that we have such an audience that love what we do. As it started to grow we were getting approached by magazines to run features with them and honestly we just did not realise it was going to turn into what it is today and we are very appreciative that our opportunity to inspire others and help on their renovation or build.
What inspires your style?
We always think open planning and lighting in the direction of the design but when it comes down to the asthetics and styling we want it to be fun and fresh and we really think that the palm springs style has captured this when you relate to ticking the boxes.
How do you balance styling, running your business, mum life (and the rest haha)?
ohh god sometimes it is so difficult, If you were to ask me this question at 5.30am on a Monday morning when I am cutting out fabric out for the day, Aza is making the school lunches and breakfast while we are yelling out to the kids to have a shower, get dressed clean your teeth, all while we are trying to keep the house clean for a shoot to knock on the door at 8am. It would be a far different answer to what I am going to give you, but honestly I know what Aza has to do and he knows what I have to do and it's all about team work. You can call it controlled chaos for maybe for 2hrs and then it's time to get into my styling and business until the kids are ready to be picked up. I think the biggest part of balance is to be happy in your environment. We love to go away on holidays and take that time out to reset, get inspired and enjoy life. It helps so much with not being caught in a bubble and getting time to think and be creative. Yes we are busy but it is no different to everybody else these days but finding that time away really puts you in the best frame of mind to balance and achieve.
What exciting new adventures do you and your fam have in store?
Well we actually just purchased our next renovator in the same town of Bilinga, closer to the beach and a stand alone property but it is two units. We are restoring it to be an Airbnb and possibly for shoots. It will have an upstairs and downstairs unit both having pools in each and a unique style. The upper unit will have big cathedral ceilings with a high pitch. Exposed rafters. We are really excited for this. Also we are looking for another property so we can roll straight into after we complete. Most importantly in between all of this we have booked in holidays to Double Island on the Sunshine Coast and the South Coast with family and friends. These are the adventures that keep the other adventures going.
Its been an interesting few years, Any words of wisdom?
Find a style that you like, create mood boards and stick with it all the way through your project, don't derail yourself outside of that one style as it will confuse you. If you stick to your guns and truly believe in yourself. Find people you trust through the project from design to finishes and you will have so much confidence going into the next. Always remember a clear mind will be a creative mind, don't stop doing the things you love just because you are running a business or renovating a house take time out.
Check out The waters family @bilinga_beach_abodes & @_bubbleslane
Photography by @the_content_co_au
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