SAMANTHA'S SUN-KISSED SLICE OF HEAVEN
As you gaze out across Oakura Bay towards the Pacific Ocean, you can almost hear Kiwi icon, Dave Dobbyn, humming “Da da da ba du da da ba du da da da ba du da da da da da da…” - Samantha Osbourne’s beach house really is a Slice of Heaven.
Samantha, a Three Birds Reno School student, shared her “not quite done” family beach house in the North Island of New Zealand with us last week and it’s fair to say we were wowed.
TELL US ALL ABOUT THIS SPECIAL PLACE…
We bought the beach house 8 years ago as a place our family could fully relax and completely disengage from everyday life. It's located in a small town on the east coast of Northland, NZ. In the township, there are approximately 200 houses/beach houses, a fish and chip shop, a corner store, 2 petrol pumps and 2 beach boat ramps. Paradise.
The beach house is 3 bedrooms and 104sqm. We didn't add any additional floor space, but we did change everything within its walls to work better for us and to create a space of easy living, indoor and outdoor connection, and a place we felt like we were always on holiday (summer or winter). Our vision was to create a hideaway that made us feel calm, connected to the outdoors and a place to re-set and re-energise. The view from the house is amazing and we wanted to bring that inside.
The renovation took 11 months, during 2 lockdowns, material shortages and closed borders, which meant we needed to rely on our amazing dream team building crew. Dave, our builder, learnt pretty quickly that we wanted to be part of the building process and was outstanding at keeping us updated via texts, photos, calls and videos throughout all the stages. Many a decision, including compromises to the plan, were made via texts and video calls with a liberal splattering of humour to keep it real.
Our vision has been curated by an outstanding team of builders, local suppliers and tradespeople. Without this community and the Three Birds courses, our little bit of paradise wouldn't exist. This was our first renovation but hopefully not our last!
You’ve done the Three Birds Double-Whammy! What made you sign up for BOTH Reno School and Styling School?
I have had an interest and curiosity in the building process and wanted to know more and feel I could take control of the process vs being a passenger. I then wanted confidence in the styling process so was a no-brainer to do both - they really do go together.
I love the confidence the courses gave me to really challenge our thinking about what we thought we wanted. And to step outside of my comfort zone.
AND NOW YOU’RE A FOURTH BIRD!
Yes! I decided to join because I'm a little nosey, very curious and a lover of all things renovating and styling. Fourth Bird has given me an extra insight into the amazing work the Birds are doing, but also expanding my knowledge by listening and watching what’s happening in the community. I love the accessibility that the Fourth Bird has created to a world that I would have felt nervous about being part of before.
What would you say to other Three Birds students who are considering signing up for Fourth Bird?
Do it. If you are after insights, inspiration, community, humour, growth, connection and confidence then this is for you!
Follow Sam’s reno journey on Instagram: @osbornebeachhouse