A 9-hour drive or a 75-minute flight now connects what was once a daily reality for a South Australian couple. But during the pandemic, distance felt impossible to measure. For M & M, the gap between their Melbourne home and their Port Willunga property—once a thriving Airbnb and holiday rental—became a painful divide. After 20 years, Red Door at Port Willunga had to close due to lockdowns, border restrictions, and canceled bookings.

The property had been a beloved escape for families seeking a Fleurieu Peninsula beach getaway, its charm rooted in the region’s relaxed coastal lifestyle and proximity to McLaren Vale’s vineyards. The couple’s decision to relocate to Melbourne five years earlier for work had already strained their connection to the place, but the pandemic severed it entirely.

Stuck in Melbourne with nowhere to go, they found themselves staring at white walls. The monotony of lockdown life sparked an idea: color. “I felt an increasing need to bring joy into our little space,” one of them recalled. The concept—later dubbed dopamine décor—was simple: use lively hues to combat the drudgery of pandemic life. The inspiration came from the pink door next door, a small but vivid reminder of how color could transform a space. Their approach to design was deliberate, focusing on what they loved rather than following trends, and they later expanded this philosophy to their renovation choices.

Next door, a pink door stood as inspiration. But turning that vision into reality wasn’t straightforward. The couple had already tried, and failed, to buy a replacement property in a competitive market. They made offers on homes they’d never seen, winning auctions sight unseen, just as they had decades earlier with Red Door at Port Willunga, where they’d attended the final open inspection moments before racing back to Melbourne for an auction that same afternoon. When they finally found their next-door neighbor’s house listed, they acted fast: no inspection, no delay. On a Sunday night in Melbourne, they bought it, driven by a shared desire to own a home that felt like love rather than an investment.

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From inspiration to renovation chaos

What they didn’t know was that the 1980s brick-veneer home needed far more than a fresh coat of paint. Structural issues emerged almost immediately, including misaligned kitchen cupboards, a dishwasher door that wouldn’t close, and sliding doors that jammed upon arrival. The rejection stings, higher offers kept coming, but the real challenge was ahead: renovating a house they’d only seen in photos. Their initial excitement faded as they realized the extent of the work required, though they remained committed to turning it into their forever home.

Over two years, they commuted between Melbourne and Port Willunga, weekends spent fixing what they’d found. The kitchen cupboards were misaligned, the dishwasher door wouldn’t close, the sliding doors jammed, and the floating floors had separated from the subfloor. They project-managed from afar, ordering extra tiles in the car on the drive back to Melbourne, while progress updates were often delayed or unclear. Calls went unanswered, and the distance made oversight difficult. Then, just as they settled in, an unexpected job loss and the South Australian algal bloom crisis forced another move, adding further strain to their already challenging renovation timeline. Despite these setbacks, their vision for the home remained unchanged.

The setbacks didn’t derail them. “Still, no regrets,” they said. The delays only reinforced their vision: a home that blended personal joy with guest hospitality. The result is Pink Door at Port Willunga, a 1984-built, three-bedroom property now split between family use and short-term rentals. The couple’s design choices reflected their commitment to sustainability, using local materials, secondhand finds, and creating a pollinator garden to support the environment. Their philosophy extended to every detail, from restoring old play equipment to installing a table tennis table, ensuring the space remained fun and engaging for children.

Sustainable design with playful purpose

The renovations were deliberate. They focused on sustainability, local materials, secondhand finds, and a pollinator garden, while also updating the kitchen and main bathroom, converting the laundry into a second bathroom, and adding a deck. Even small touches, like restoring old play equipment and installing a table tennis table, reflected their philosophy: make it fun for the kids. A glass mural on the back door lets guests add their own mark, turning the space into something interactive and personal. The couple’s approach avoided “fast furniture” and instead prioritized supporting small businesses, ensuring the home felt authentic rather than curated.

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Port Willunga’s appeal—45 minutes from Adelaide, near McLaren Vale’s wineries, with a pristine beach, made it ideal for a holiday rental. But the couple’s approach was never about trends. “We avoid ‘fast furniture’ and shop local,” they said. “Support small businesses, not replicas.” The goal was a home that felt personal, not curated, with every piece chosen for its meaning rather than its marketability. Their focus on sustainability extended to the garden, where they planted both pollinators and produce, creating a space that was both functional and environmentally conscious.

Guests have responded well. “We’ve had lots of lovely feedback,” one of them said. “It’s the bee’s knees when people feel their hard-earned dollars were worth it.” The couple’s emphasis on authenticity and joy in design has resonated with visitors, making Pink Door at Port Willunga more than just a rental, it’s a home where memories are made.

Lessons learned in love and persistence

The project taught them lessons beyond renovation: look first, inspect longer, and never rush. But the biggest takeaway was simpler. “Do what you love,” they said. “And let someone else love it too.” Their journey from a struggling Airbnb to a lively, sustainable home proves that passion and persistence can turn challenges into something extraordinary.

The pink door now stands as proof, distance means little when a place feels like home.