Aaron and Daniella | La Terra on Collingwood | Part One

Join Us as We Embard On Aaron and Daniella's Next Project: A Modern Mediterranean Retreat with a Natural Edge

Located on the Gold Coast, this renovation draws from the timeless warmth of the Mediterranean while embracing future-focused wellness and sustainability. The design will merge raw, earthy textures with curated luxury, shaping a home that is both serene and soulfully tactile.

Daniella has said this design will bring a refined yet grounded aesthetic inspired by coastal Europe, interpreted through a modern Australian lens. Featuring:

    •    Warm, earthy tones - terracotta, ochre, sand, rust, and creamy whites to create a grounded, sun-kissed palette.

    •    Limestone & travertine surfaces - for walls, floors, and vanities. The preference is for unpolished, tactile finishes that age gracefully.

    •    Curves - including arched openings, curved island benches, walk-in showers, and soft architectural features like built-in lounge nooks.

    •    Natural timber + brushed brass - for cabinetry, tapware, and detailing, offering warmth and softness.

    •    Wabi-sabi sensibility — celebrating texture, imperfection, artisan tiling, and handcrafted finishes that reflect nature’s irregular beauty.

The duo are creating a sanctuary for both body and mind, where the wellness elements are seamlessly integrated into the home’s architecture:

    •    Passive design principles - maximising orientation, natural airflow, and thermal insulation for year-round energy efficiency.

    •    Dedicated wellness spaces - including infrared sauna, steam shower, cold plunge zone, and meditation or recovery areas.

    •    Light-first planning - prioritising natural light and airflow over square meterage; the focus is on spatial quality, not quantity.

Both of the boys’ bathrooms were inspired by the current trend of curved lines. "As I have two active boys, I wanted to create a calming yet fun space with a pop of colour and a unique point of difference in each" says Daniella.

The bathroom is set around Microcement, across the floors and the walls. Chosen as it is easy to maintain and clean, it brings a beautiful texture to the overall design. The natural colouring of the microcement is complemented by the satin brushed nickel fittings of the SPIN Tapware and Accessory range. Both bathrooms have a similar layout but feature subtle differences in the product selections to make them more unique to each child. The curved lines of the vanity, tapware and even the toilet bring a sense of sleek serenity to the room.

Daniella is a big believer that modern Mediterranean is the hottest trend right now and is here to stay! Which is why, when designing the bathrooms, she wanted to ensure each boy had enough space for a walk-in shower, vanity, and toilet within the limited space. "The boys’ bathrooms worked perfectly as a design point, and adding a curved shower wall allowed us to continue the curve with the wall-hung vanity, creating the illusion of a larger bathroom".

Both bathrooms also feature an arch mirror that looks out to the bedroom and follows the curved walls that further enhance the design, while  in the shower the tall overhead shower makes you feel like you could shower for hours! 

Aaron and Daniella will be creating an oasis in their Master Suite, a calming space away from the chaos of everyday life. Living in such hectic schedules, they need a home where they can leave their worries behind and unwind. "The ensuite is another crucial area where we’re working with a confined space" says Daniella. "We want to widen it without breaking the bank on structural changes".

The design will evoke the feel of an upscale modern Mediterranean hotel bathroom, featuring Microcement from ceiling to floor and a built-in vanity will also incorporate Microcement. Finished off with tapware that will reflect the curved lines and pattern tiles for a touch of fun.

Including all the necessary components, they will separate the toilet area to create more space for a large vanity, shower, and a relaxing bath. For their parents sanctuary, the colour palette will be earthy tones and creams. Brushed Nickel being their favourite finish, will also be incorporated, featuring throughout the house, including the kitchen and laundry.

Follow their renovation journey at @aarondaniella.hr!