Home Tour: Every Day Feels Like a Holiday in this Brisbane Home

As a graduate of both the Three Birds Reno School and the Three Birds Styling School, Bianca Mulligan was always going to pepper her family home with nods to the iconic design trio’s aesthetic.

Walking through the sprawling property, which is just half an hour out of Brisbane and has been dubbed ‘Casa Blanca,’ homages to the Three Birds’ distinct vibe are immediately apparent.

An emphasis on creating functional, practical spaces while still maintaining a beautiful aesthetic, the use of natural materials like timber and stone to add texture and warmth, and pops of patterns and colours bring depth and interest to the home.

"The Three Birds’ influence can be seen throughout my entire home, from the choice of materials to the overall design aesthetic. I am so grateful for the knowledge and inspiration that I gained from their courses,” Bianca, a content creator and interior designer, explains.

Another major source of inspiration for Bianca was the Mediterranean look she wanted her home to embrace.

“My vision was to create a space that perfectly combines modernity and a Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic, while also ensuring optimal functionality and liveability for families,” Bianca says of her vision for Casa Blanca.

“The overall brief I gave myself was to bring in as much natural light as possible while incorporating practical zones that cater to the needs of families,” she adds.

To bring a sleek, chic, Med-inspired undertone to her home, Bianca opted for a slew of natural materials like stone, timber, and concrete along with a neutral colour scheme with elements of blues and greens inspired by the Mediterranean Sea.

“I also chose high-quality finishes, such as brushed metals, polished concrete, and glass elements. The lighting was also carefully selected and placed to create the right ambiance and mood in each space,” she notes.

The home was a new build so Bianca oversaw the entire project from start to finish, working closely with the CMR Constructions and Koda Design teams to map out the layout, foundations and framework.

The floor plan is spacious and considered with clever touches like a transparent window on the living room floor, which lets in light and also means Bianca and her husband can check on the kids while they swim in the pool.

Elsewhere, the media room doubles as a cosy play space for the children. Using soft furnishings like rugs, cushions and throws, hardworking yet stylish storage solutions such as large cupboards, baskets and shelves, warm ambient lighting and a subtle colour palette of ivory, tan and pinks means this area has become the ultimate safe space for little ones.

“It’s a cosy retreat for the children that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing,” Bianca reflects on her styling choices.

Another standout area of the home is the master bedroom, which feels more like a luxe hotel room than a bedroom - something Bianca says was top of mind when she was kitting out the space.

“I wanted it to feel like a resort hotel room,” she confirms. “It’s a space where you can relax, take in the view, and enjoy some peace and quiet.”

The aspect of the room, which has a neutral colour scheme of whites, timber, and beiges, means it has one of the best views in the house, which overlooks the lush gum trees and greenery outside. The team capitalised on this breathtaking vantage point and added large windows to let the light in and hero the view.

Another key feature of the master bedroom is the open bath, which creates a luxurious spa-like atmosphere.

The roomy walk-in-wardrobe was another important detail. “I opted for plenty of custom-built storage and hanging space, which makes it easy to keep everything organised and decluttered,” Bianca reveals.

Outside, there is a large, flat lawn where the kids can run around as well as a shaded area for entertaining that features a large ceiling over a void, joined by huge arches.

As a busy family, Bianca wanted the garden to be as low maintenance as possible. “We don’t have a lot of time to devote to upkeep. That’s why we opted for minimal planting and lots of hardscaping. We used gravel and rocks to create garden beds, which are filled with low-maintenance plants, succulents and cacti,” she explains.

“I also incorporated a pool cabana complete with outdoor furniture and cushions, which is perfect for relaxing or taking a break from the sun.”

Now the project is complete, the interior designer is looking forward to spending many happy years here with her family.

“The overall feel of the home is a luxurious and calming retreat that feels like you’re on holiday every day,” Bianca says.

PROJECT CREDITS

Building Designer: Koda Design @kodadesign Build: CMR Constructions- @cmrconstructions

Interior styling: Bianca Mulligan of Casa Blanca Creative @casablanca_creative

Photographer: Kristian van der Beek @kristian_van_der_beek

Words: Bella Brennan @bellarosebrennan

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