Looking to renovate a short-stay rental, retreat space or Airbnb property in regional WA? Here’s how we turned a rundown bush block into a welcoming retreat space for up to 20 guests, on a tight timeline, with a limited budget, and with no renovation experience. From flooring disasters to peaceful design choices, this is everything we learned bringing Ikigai Bush Retreat to life.
Moore River Region is Perfect for Short Stay Accommodation
If you’d told me two years ago that we’d be running a 7-bedroom bush retreat north of Perth, I would’ve laughed in disbelief (probably while standing knee-deep in the kids’ laundry). But here we are with the Ikigai Bush Retreat; a place born from chaos, community, and one very spontaneous scroll on realestate.com.au.
Let me say this up front: yes, the Moore River and Guilderton region are incredible spots for holiday accommodation. Whether you’re planning a health retreat, a big family trip, or just a quiet weekend to unplug, there’s something here that soaks straight into your nervous system. It’s calming. Raw. Beautiful. And for us, it was the place that turned a tired old house into a purpose-filled haven.
This blog isn’t a guide from a seasoned renovator (spoiler: we’d never done anything like this before). It’s our story told from the heart. A story of gut instinct, elbow grease, and why choosing the right flooring was one of the best decisions we made.
Why the Area Appealed to Us
My partner, James, and I have always dreamed of owning a piece of land. Acreage, fruit trees, maybe even a couple of goats one day. Something we could shape into our own space. So we did what most people do in Perth, and we looked south.
I lost count after property number 40. We toured Denmark, Nannup, Margaret River and loved them all. But between the prices and the fierce competition, it just wasn’t happening. We were exhausted and more than a little disheartened.
Then we visited our friends Hayley and Andy in Guilderton, two amazing creatives who had made a home in this quiet little town north of Perth. The moment we arrived, something shifted. You know that feeling when your shoulders drop and your brain goes quiet? That was Moore River.
The estuary, the lookout, the fact that you could hear both birds and the ocean in one breath; it got under our skin. We realised we didn’t need to keep chasing someone else’s dream down south. Ours was sitting quietly a couple of hours up the road.
Thinking of a coastal bush escape in WA?
Our accommodation is now open for bookings! Stay at Ikigai Bush Retreat
We Bought the First House James Found Online
(No Joke)
Now, I’m usually not that impulsive. But James found this one listing: a seven-bedroom house on six acres, complete with an orchard and more dated flooring styles than you could imagine.
The moment I saw the photos, I just knew the potential. Not in the “it’s perfect” way but in the “I can see it” way.
The layout was wild but full of potential:
- 7 bedrooms
- 3 bathrooms
- 3 living areas
- A big kitchen and a kitchenette
- Room to sleep 20 people comfortably
- An orchard bursting with fruit and nut trees
We could host retreats. Run big family stays. Offer something unique for people looking for Moore River accommodation that wasn’t just a basic beach shack. We named it Ikigai Bush Retreat. It means “a reason for being.” And for us, this was it.
Levi from Online Flooring Store is ripping up old flooring, helping Charlie and James out with their project at a busy bee renovation weekend near Moore River, WA.
How We Renovated a 7-Bedroom House in 11 Weeks
I said something very silly the day we got the keys. I turned to James, who’s a total realist, bless him, and said, “Babe, we just need a few mates, a carton of beer, and we’ll have this place done in a weekend.”
He looked at me like I had lost the plot. In fairness, I had.
But here’s the thing: we did get a few mates (actually, 43 of them), and we did have that beer. And somehow, that chaotic weekend sparked something bigger than we ever expected.
The “Busy Bee” That Started It All
We kicked things off with a good old-fashioned Busy Bee weekend. Friends showed up from all over, a toolbox in one hand and snacks in the other. Within hours, we were ripping out kitchens, smashing tiles, hauling out decades of dodgy flooring and laughing while we did it. The Moore River community had never heard so much noise. Sorry!
We found rat infestations, mould patches, and numerous design choices that were questionable (more on that in a second), but the energy was magical. Everyone pitched in. It felt less like a renovation and more like a working bee meets house party.
It was the first sign that this place wasn’t just a house; it was going to be something people would connect with.
The Builder Who Saved Our Sanity
We were fortunate enough to have Paul Robertson and his offsider, Todd, join our team as our builders. Paul’s the kind of guy who turns up early, works through lunch, and still has the patience to answer your five million “what’s that?” questions.
Together, they helped us:
- Repaint the entire interior and exterior
- Replace windows
- Redo all three bathrooms and the kitchen/kitchenette
- And prep everything for our beautiful new floors (coming up!)
In just 11 weeks, we went from “potentially condemned” to “can’t believe this is the same house.” The transformation was wild. You wouldn’t recognise the before-and-after pics unless I showed you the exact same angle.
Subfloor Preparation Challenges: The Issues Beneath Our Feet
The original flooring situation? An absolute mess. Let me break it down.
Downstairs:
- Slate. Thick, unmovable, stubborn-as-hell slate.
- We had to hire a ride-on jackhammer. It still wasn’t easy.
Upstairs:
- Some cheap fake floorboard lifted easily, but looked like a kid’s playroom nightmare.
Bedrooms:
- Each one had a different type of linoleum. I wish we were joking.
- You could stand in one spot and see five flooring types within arm’s reach.
Bathrooms? You guessed it; more slate. Because why not?
It was as if someone had a flooring clearance bin and said, “We’ll take one of everything.”
And Then Came the Subfloor Surprise
After we finally cleared all that mess, our flooring installer came in and said, “Yeah, so your subfloor has a noticeable decline.”
Not a complete drop-off, but just enough that if we laid flooring over it without fixing it, the whole vibe would be off. Uneven. Wobbly. Wrong.
Worse still, laying our chosen hybrid flooring from Online Flooring Store without proper subfloor prep would likely void the warranty.
Now, James is the practical one. I was ready to say, “She’ll be right.” But thankfully, we listened. Levelling the floor added about a week to the build and cost us a few thousand dollars, but it was one of the smartest calls we made.
Trust me: when you’re investing in something that’ll host 20 people with sandy feet and luggage wheels, get your subfloor sorted.
Cosy lounge and fireplace area styled with Eclipse Hybrid with Nazca flooring at Guilderton accommodation.
Choosing the Right Flooring (And Why It Changed Everything)
If there’s one thing I’m grateful we didn’t rush, it’s the flooring.
We were so close to picking something purely on looks. You know, Pinterest-worthy pale timber tones that would’ve looked fab in photos. But probably would’ve buckled under 20 barefoot guests dragging sand and soggy bath towels through the hallways.
Luckily, we had a mate, Levi Saunders, from Online Flooring Store, someone who knows their stuff, and we asked for their honest opinion. Not the fluffy “here’s what’s trending” advice, but the kind where someone says:
“If you don’t get this right, you’ll be replacing it in 18 months.”
That one comment changed everything. And from there, we spoke to Clem Sturges, who is simply a wealth of knowledge.
Open living area in Moore River accommodation with Eclipse Hybrid with Nazca timber-look flooring.
Expert Insights From Clem Sturgess
20+ years' experience in hard flooring
Clem’s Take: Why I Recommended Eclipse Atlantis Nazca Hybrid Flooring
When Charlie and James came to me with the Moore River project, it was clear they weren’t just slapping down a few boards for a weekend shack. They were building something real, something that needed to withstand big groups, high turnover, and the chaos of short stays.
They needed a floor that looked good, felt solid underfoot, and could cop a beating from 20 guests without flinching. But like any smart renovator, they had to make the numbers work, too.
That’s where the Eclipse Atlantis Hybrid in Nazca ticked every box.
It’s strong, stable, waterproof, and doesn’t cost the earth. And for a job in WA, we even managed to find a local supplier to keep the freight down, which was a huge win.
But here’s the clincher: this stuff has the same wear layer used in commercial vinyl flooring in places like Woolworths and Coles. That means it’s built to survive trolleys, pallets, and guests, so a few sandy feet and beach towels don’t even register. In short, it’s not going to let you down.
Why I Recommend Eclipse Hybrid in Nazca (In Plain Terms)
- Perfect for short-stay accommodation - built for big guest numbers and fast turnovers
- Commercial-grade 0.5mm wear layer - same as what’s used in supermarkets
- Minimised freight cost - sourced through a WA supplier to keep logistics practical
- Looks great, priced well - solid value without sacrificing aesthetics
- SPC core + IXPE underlay - stable, quiet, and soft underfoot
- Fully waterproof & pet-friendly - no stress over spills, sand, or four-legged guests
- Ideal for regional installs - no warping, no acclimatisation issues, no nonsense, holds up in Aussie conditions
If you’re fitting out a short-stay, retreat or Airbnb and want something that won’t lift, click, or wear out before your third review, this is the one. I’d use it in my own rental. And I’ve seen what happens when people choose cheap options.
Why Hybrid Flooring Was the Best Decision We Made
Clem (the seasoned expert) recommended a near-commercial-grade hybrid flooring, designed to withstand a beating without showing it. At first, I wasn’t sure. I wanted something warm. Something with texture and variation, not a flat, plastic look.
But then we saw this one style of Eclipse Atlantis Nazca:
A timber-look with peppered tones; a mix of cool and warm shades that worked beautifully with our white walls.
It had depth, movement, and enough variation to hide crumbs, scuffs, and sandy footprints from the beach.
And the best part?
- It’s non-slip (huge win with kids running around barefoot and stairs)
- Easy to clean (literally wipe-and-go, even red wine)
- Water resistant (no stress with beach towels or wet bathers)
- Looks like real timber but without the price tag or high-maintenance drama
James walked on a sample barefoot once and said, “Yeah, ok, this is the one.”
Cosy lounge with chess set and Eclipse Hybrid with Nazca flooring in retreat living area.
What It’s Like Now: Zero Stress, Full Vibe
We’ve had spills. We’ve had kids. We’ve had wine nights, retreat weekends, and groups of 18 testing every corner of this house. And that floor? Still looks brand new.
Guests always comment on it, especially when they realise it’s not real timber. It feels solid, not hollow. Has grip but still flows beautifully across the big open-plan layout. It pulls everything together. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine our Ikigai Bush Retreat with any other floor underfoot.
Expert Insights From Levi Saunders
Online Retail Specialist & Flooring Content Creator
Late-Night Floor Inspection and Doing the Job Right
Sometimes, getting it right means hitting the road at 11 pm with a head torch and a boot full of snacks.
Midway through Charlie and James’ flooring install, they gave me a ring. The hybrid boards looked great, but they were picking up on what they thought was a bit too much dark tone and not enough light in one area of the house. Charlie (being Charlie) just wanted to be sure we weren’t losing the natural variation the Nazca colour is known for.
So we jumped in the car and headed up from Perth, tired but determined. We walked the floor under soft light and chatted about what was bugging her.
What we saw made sense: Nazca has intentional colour variation across the planks; that’s what gives it its realistic timber look. But like with real timber, no two boards are the same. If you don’t shuffle the boards enough between packs, you can get a bit of clumping; too many darks together, or too many lights.
We agreed on the spot that the flooring looked fantastic, but it just needed a bit more shuffling as it was installed the next day. The installer was happy to mix it up to balance out the colours a bit more. That little adjustment made all the difference.
Why This Matters (And What We Learned)
- All hybrid floors with a realistic design will have variations; that’s the point.
- Shuffling boards between packs is key, just like laying natural timber
- Even great products can look off if installed in clumps: blending is everything
- Midnight callouts aren’t standard, but doing the right thing is
- Customer satisfaction is our non-negotiable; always has been. We won’t be undercut on getting it right!
At Online Flooring Store, we back our products, but we back our customers even harder. If it means jumping in the car at stupid o’clock to make sure someone’s dream build looks how they pictured it? I’m in.
Our Design Vision: Clean, Calm, and Inspired by the Bush
Let’s talk renovation styling. I’m a bit of a feel-first person. For me, the space had to feel like something.
We wanted calm. Soft. That “you can finally breathe again” energy, the second someone walked in.
That’s why we painted most of the walls white, not hospital white, but warm white. It opens up the space, lets in the light, and makes it easy for people to unwind. But we didn’t want it to be boring.
So we added:
- Natural textures and earthy tones from the hybrid flooring
- Décor inspired by the eucalyptus and wattle trees on our land
- Soft greys, stone ceramics, woven lightshades, and lots of greenery
- Some cheeky statement pieces (like our vintage lounge in the games room)
James, of course, was the voice of reason. I’d be like “let’s buy this rattan hanging chair,” and he’d say, “How long will that last with 20 people using it?” He was right, most of the time.
The Secret Ingredient? Lighting
I’ll let you in on a little secret: this place comes alive at night. We added soft lighting in all the right places: overhead pendants, wall sconces, and dimmable switches. The effect is magic.
People always comment on the mood once the sun goes down. It turns from a light-filled bush retreat to this peaceful sanctuary. It’s my favourite part of the whole thing.
Item as described. delivery in window promised.
The Finished Retreat, Real Guests, and Real Pride
So here we are. The renovations are done. The paint’s dry. The fruit trees are blooming. And our retreat, Ikigai, is finally out in the world.
I won’t lie, the first few guest bookings had me in knots. Would they notice that one patch of wall I had to re-do three times? Would the layout flow? Would the vibe we imagined land? Turns out it did.
What Guests Are Saying
We’ve hosted big family reunions, corporate wellness escapes, and the kind of group weekends that fill the house with wine, laughter, and “Where’d you get this couch?” comments.
People love:
- The space is for 20, but without losing that cosy feel
- The location – quiet, natural, yet close enough to Perth (1 hour drive) for a weekend escape
- The floors – yep, still getting compliments every time (especially from the mums!)
One guest called it “a home with a heartbeat.” That line still gives me goosebumps.
Advice for Anyone Renovating a Short-Stay Property or Retreat
If you’re planning your own Airbnb or short-stay reno, here’s what I wish someone told me:
1. Don’t Skimp on the Bones
Flooring, white goods, and structure. Spend money where it matters. Your guests won’t care about fancy cushions if the floor’s lifting or the oven doesn’t work.
2. Think Like a Guest
What’s easy to clean? What’s safe for barefoot kids? Can you hose it off? Will it still look good after five Netflix marathons and a spilled cocktail?
3. Replaceable = Peace of Mind
Decorate with things you won’t cry over if they break. IKEA, Kmart, second-hand shops; make sure it’s durable and easy to replace. Save the investment for the things that need to last.
4. Ask for Help
You don’t have to know everything. We leaned heavily on Clem from Online Flooring Store, our builder, tradie mates, and friends elbow grease. That advice saved us time, stress, and thousands of dollars.
Our Little Corner of Calm
In the space of 11 wild weeks, we went from daydreaming about Moore River accommodation to running a peaceful, purpose-filled retreat or short stay accommodation that people want to stay in.
We didn’t do it alone. It took a builder with superhuman patience, 43 friends with tools, two confused kids, and the advice of people who’d done it before. And somehow, through all the chaos, Ikigai became real.
Now, guests walk through the doors and breathe easier. They put down their phones. They sleep deeply. They make memories. And James and I? We get to sit back (sometimes with a G&T), look at what we’ve created, and say… yeah. We built this. Together.
Thinking About Your Short-Stay Renovation?
Do yourself a favour, start with your flooring and Ring Clem. The right advice (and the right product) will save you a world of headaches in the long run.
The team at Online Flooring Store helped us choose a floor that was both durable and beautiful, and it was also totally stress-free to maintain. I wouldn’t do another project without them. They’ll tell you exactly what you need to hear, not just what sounds nice.
Want to see the finished result in real life?
We’d love for you to come and stay with us. The doors at Ikigai Bush Retreat are open and ready to welcome your group, whether it’s a family gathering, yoga retreat, or mates’ weekend.
