Jervis Bay is known for its white-sand beaches and crystalline waters. There’s an enviable pace of living that comes with the territory, too. This is something that Brooke and Gemma Cavallaro quickly learned when they started hosting an Airbnb on the NSW South Coast.

The sisters grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, so they were more familiar with the coastline that stretches north of Sydney. But when they started searching for a holiday home/investment property, they were drawn to a cottage in Old Erowal Bay.

The duo bought the house via a virtual auction in the middle of lockdowns. “It was a bit nerve wracking to not see it in person … I always think there’s a feeling when you walk into a home and you just know it’s the right place,” Brooke tells Broadsheet. But the gamble paid off and Baia was born.

Brooke and Gemma moved into the house with the intention to live there for a year, getting to know the neighbourhood and applying the touches they wanted. They ended up staying for almost two. “We wanted to tell the story authentically. And I think to do that you need to immerse yourself in the community and explore the beautiful nature down there,” Brooke says. When guests ask for recommendations for their stay, the owners can confidently rattle off the best walks and beaches, as well as where to eat and drink or grab groceries and even take a Pilates class.

Living in the house meant the sisters learned all its quirks. It also gave them time to make the right furnishing choices. “The house was pretty recently renovated by the previous owners. But it was pretty much all white – like a blank canvas”. Brooke, who works in branding and creative projects by day, was stoked with the opportunity to let loose.

She spent a lot of time scrolling through Facebook Marketplace looking for bits and bobs to fit out the three-bedroom home. Etsy was another port of call, as was Australian furniture brands like McMullin and Fenton and Fenton. Soft touches, such as linen sheets from Carlotta + Gee, plush cotton towels by Baina and artwork from The Poster Club round out the vibe that’s part Mediterranean part cottage-core.

The style at Baia is influenced by the sisters’ travels, both internationally and closer to home. They cite The Shack on Bruny Island and Bimlow Cottage in Edith as some of their favourite slow-down experiences, particularly for how they embrace the environment around them.

“We loved the idea of turning the kitchen into an indoor-outdoor space. Putting in the strut window and bar seating was a really obvious choice for us,” Gemma says. They also decided to build a bench seat around the fireplace, transforming the living room into a cosy, conversational space. “We knew we didn’t want to put a TV in. Baia is all about taking the opportunity to disconnect, slow down and enjoy the space with whoever you’re with.”

There are plans to convert the double garage into a granny flat in the future and even add a herb garden. But for now, anyone who stays can indulge in the self-care forward coastal lifestyle that Baia offers – of course there’s an outdoor shower (both hot and cold water) for post-beach rinses.

@baia.stay

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