Before and after: How Captains Cottage was transformed in eight days

Once a place of rest for a ship’s captain in the mid-1800s, this charming cottage located in the heart of Hobart has been transformed into a booming holiday home, lovingly named Captains Cottage.

After falling in love with Tasmania some five years ago, owners Kylie and Sean Breaker had been dreaming of purchasing a Hobart cottage for several years, constantly looking on real estate websites, calling real estate agents and going to open homes whenever they were in town. 

“We had submitted several offers on homes, however we were always outbid,” says Kylie. “We had almost given up on our dream, then out of the blue in May 2018, an agent called to tell us about this cute little cottage and we put an offer in that day, sight unseen.” 

Once it came time to see the cottage in person, Kylie says that it was love at first sight.

“I could instantly tell that the place was rich in history,” she says. “It was easy to imagine a ship’s captain returning home to the cottage after long periods of time at sea, bringing home beloved treasures found on his travels.”

At the time, the Brisbane-based couple was looking for a Hobart bolthole, a place where they could stay whenever in town, as well as a home to share with travelling family and guests. Beyond this, the Breakers also sought to offer Captains Cottage as short-term accommodation, keeping the cottage company in their absence.

“I imagined Captains Cottage would become a magical romantic experience,” Kylie says. “I had hoped that our guests would feel like they’ve just stepped into a story, and ideally would remember how it made them feel.”

Living out of state, the couple decided against any major renovation, having only a limited timeframe, so they focused on mainly cosmetic updates.

“Luckily, we purchased the cottage in good condition, and you could tell that [it] was well looked after,” says Kylie. “There were even structural changes that had already been made, including the taking down of a wall in the living room, which previously divided this space into two smaller rooms. The original access to the bedroom loft was also once via a ladder, and thankfully a staircase had already been installed in its place.”

Considering the only renovations that took place were that of the cosmetic kind, the difference between then and now is rather astonishing, particularly as Kylie reveals that all of this was achieved in eight short days.

“The front facade was previously painted in green, so we sandblasted this to remove the paint,” says Kylie. “We then later added a fresh colour to the front balustrade, windows and courtyard arbour, matching them to the existing guttering.”

Continuing the paint job inside, the couple also gave the cottage’s interior a fresh lick of paint throughout, mostly all warm white with the exception of a pastel green in the dining room.

“We even painted the existing kitchen timber cupboards in white, which gave it a fresher look,” says Kylie. “There were also heavy, filigree lace curtains in the living room, which we replaced with extra-long linen curtains to add a romantic feel to the space.”

Speaking of romantic details, the cottage today displays a delightful curated collection of contemporary pieces and vintage treasures, evident from the moment people walk through the door. 

“I’ve always loved the juxtaposition of old and new, and so on the one hand the cottage is full of vintage finds that I have collected over time, like the ship model sitting on the mantle and the old flags that hang on either side of the living room window,” Kylie says.

“On the other, we’ve also added contemporary comforts where suited, such as the cosy armchair next to the fireplace and the 100 per cent linen bedding used in the bedroom.”

Since the renovation, the homestay has grown in popularity, gaining a significant following on Instagram, being featured in various design and home publications, and booking out for most of the year – all of this in just over a year since being listed on Airbnb.

Despite of the cottage’s widespread admiration, whenever the Breakers are in town, Captains Cottage continues to feel intimately their own.

“My favourite spot is the loft bedroom with the old portrait of a handsome gentlemen,” says Kylie. “I think of him as the captain of our cottage, he’s friendly, warm and welcoming, and offers a real sense of calm and safety – much like Captains Cottage itself.”