A Cali Cool Haven

A Californian Bungalow Reimagined for Modern Living

Tucked away in the leafy streets of north Sydney, this 1920s Californian bungalow was ready for a new lease on life. Once dark and dated, it’s now an effortlessly cool, sun-drenched retreat for a family of five.

With their signature eye for style and function, Three Birds Renovations transformed this home into a relaxed ‘Cali Cool’ haven where laid back luxury meets family-friendly living.

House 17 draws inspiration from four distinct but harmonious interior styles: the rustic warmth of Coastal, the fun, free-spirited flair of Boho, the breezy calm of Scandi, and the nostalgic charm of Mid-Century Modern. Each room weaves these influences together to create a space that feels cohesive, inviting and full of personality.

From Dated and Disconnected to a Light, Bright and Ready to Party

The original floorplan posed several challenges. The front door was tucked away on the side of the house, the rooms were small and dark, and a rear sunroom addition trapped heat without adding value to the living space.

To fix that, the Birds reworked the flow, extending the home and opening the rear with a stunning new living, kitchen, and dining space. The reimagined layout now includes four bedrooms (up from three), two bathrooms, a powder room, and a grand living zone with an elevated, raked ceiling and views straight out to the pool and garden.

That Ceiling Though…

To give the extension some serious wow-factor, the team ditched a flat ceiling in favour of a raked design, allowing light to flood in and drawing the eye upward. This architectural move created the perfect opportunity for a statement ceiling finish—crafted using Intrim’s timber mouldings.

Intrim worked with the Birds to develop a custom 2-piece timber batten profile to use on the raked ceiling, creating depth and dimension, drawing the eye up upon entry to the open plan living space. A feature that the homeowners instantly fell in love with.

This look can be easily achieved with Intrim’s new WB72 wall & ceiling batten, inspired by House 17’s ceiling, and offering the same stunning style in a single, easy to install piece.

Details That Tie It All Together

Throughout the home, Three Birds used Intrim’s SK366 profile: a bold 285mm high skirting and 115mm architraves that add elegance and visual continuity from the original front rooms into the new extension.

Bedrooms with a Twist

A Nursery That Steals the Show

This isn’t your average baby room. Walls, ceilings, and even doors are painted a rich rose colour, creating a warm, cocooning feel. Intrim’s HR40 half rounds form a dramatic diamond-pattern wainscoting look, bordered top and bottom by double half rounds for extra punch. Soft meets bold—and the result is magical.

Fun, Fresh Vibes in Bedroom Two

In this playful space, the Birds went all out with Intrim’s HR20 half rounds, creating a striped wall feature that runs around the entire room. Layered colours and textures give the room a frieze-like effect that’s as fun as it is stylish.

Serenity in Bedroom Three

This room now opens up to views of the new green space patio. Contrasting painted skirtings and architraves add a thoughtful pop of colour and help set the room apart from the rest.

The Sweet Spot Between Old and New

The entryway keeps a little piece of the home’s history front and centre, with original exposed brick used as a feature wall. Paired with clean, modern elements—like skylights and Intrim’s bold SK366 skirting and architrave, the space bridges past and present perfectly.

Create the House 17 Look

Whether you’re in the process of planning a renovation or seeking design inspiration, House 17 by the team at Three Birds Renovations shows how thoughtful spatial planning, attention to detail, and quality materials can create a timeless yet contemporary home that truly reflects the people who live in it.

Achieve the House 17 look with our exclusive Cali Cool sample box, featuring all the Intrim mouldings used in this renovation. Curated to help you achieve this coastal-meets-contemporary style home, this box includes samples of the same profiles used for skirting, architraves, decorative detailing and ceiling features. Click here to order yours online today.