The Property & Vision
Chante Mer—French for “sing the sea”—is a once-dilapidated, glass-fronted beach house perched atop cliffs overlooking Racecourse Beach in Ulladulla, NSW. It was purchased in late 2024 for approximately $2.19 million, a property rich in charm and history, previously owned by a UN interpreter since 1984.
The couple describes it as “a little glass house on the seaside filled with stories and history,” and are committed to restoring its unique character rather than succumbing to sterile trends like “millennial beige.”
Our First Peek Inside & Structural Work
From the moment they received the keys, demolition began—and revealed a hidden world of challenges: extensive damage from termites, white ants, mold, wood rot, and even a few snakes.
Renovations to date include replacing every window, stripping back original flooring, opening up internal spaces by removing a brick wall, and tackling structural updates like a new support beam and reconfiguring the layout.
Kitchen & Bathrooms
The kitchen has been fully gutted: the servery was removed, the original floor tiles replaced, and new walnut-hued cabinetry, fresh gyprock, and atrium windows enhance the space—now crowned by a luxurious Breccia Pernice marble countertop.
In the bathrooms, they took a bath-less approach—replacing the traditional bath with a double shower featuring a built-in bench, paired with green-and-white vertical tiles for a refreshed, modern aesthetic.
Interiors & Color Decisions
The couple is holding onto original features like their stained-glass entry doors, sparking debates on whether to strip the doors back to wood or paint them white—though Laura remains adamant about preserving their character.
Color decisions are fun and lively: Matty proposed salmon pink to reflect ocean life, but Laura leaned toward off-white with a feature door. Their daughters are even part of the design process, testing sea-green and bright yellow shades on cupboard doors.
Despite some divided opinions on bold choices like fireplace tiles, fans appreciate at least that the couple is doing things their way—not following beige minimalism. “If the beige brigade come for these doors… I will riot,” Laura jokingly declared.
Garden & Outdoor Transformation
Outside, the garden is being reborn: the old deck and brick paths have been removed (reused elsewhere), replaced with a bigger deck, new turf, and wooden sleeper steps—soon to be complemented by fresh plantings.
Progress & Development
Each renovation milestone is shared with followers on Instagram (@chante.mer.house), where fans follow along with excitement as the transformation unfolds—one room at a time.
Renovation at a Glance
Area Key Updates & Character
Kitchen Demolished servery, new cabinetry & marble benchtop
Bathrooms Bath replaced with double shower, vibrant tile choices
Structural Windows replaced, walls removed, floors stripped
Interiors Bold color tests (pink, green, yellow), preserved stained glass
Outdoor & Garden Deck and path overhaul, fresh turf, sleeper stairs
Style Approach Embracing quirks, rejecting beige minimalism