I don't believe I've ever used the word 'Boho' in 6 years of writing this blog, but I'm not sure I can avoid it today! This luxe, bohemian and supremely eclectic family home in Sydney's Bellevue Hill belongs to furniture designer and maker Dion Antony, model Anna Feller and their gorgeous little man, Banjo Love. Filled with amazing textiles, lush plant life, handcrafted timber furniture and layer upon layer of treasured heirlooms and collected ephemera, this one really is like no apartment I've ever set foot in before!
Dion has occupied his sprawling three bedroom rented apartment for the past 8 years, whilst Anna joined him here 5 years ago after resettling in Sydney from her native Canada. Banjo arrived just under a year ago, and with a little help from Anna's Mum, the apartment has been creatively updated here and there to accomodate the newest addition to the family.
Having rented this apartment long term from a good friend, Dion has had a little more freedom than most tenants to make the space his own. 'Dion is always dreaming up different ideas to update the space' says Anna. Improvements over the past few years have included repainting the kitchen and bedrooms, removing old carpet to reveal beautiful parquetry flooring, and replacing tap fittings amongst many other updates. Most recently, Dion and Anna updated the kitchen with new checkered floor and cabinet doors, as well as adding new hardwood skirting boards. 'We are always doing something to give the space more love and character' says Anna. Lucky landlord!
Next on Dion's ambitious DIY list for the apartment is somewhat unexpected. 'The second bathroom is floor to ceiling tiles within a complete concrete structure, and Dion is convinced that he is going to install a small stainless sauna heater and cedar lining to convert it into a sauna.... not if I can stop him!' says Anna, adding 'he always has some idea up his sleeve!'.
Aside from general home maintenance, Dion has also designed and made almost all of the furniture in the apartment - so impressive! Anna's most treasured piece is the incredible four poster bed, hand crafted from twisted coastal tea tree that Dion felled and brought all the way home from Victoria. 'He made the bed as a gift to me on Valentine's Day just after Banjo was born' explains Anna. 'It's a Family Bed. We always nap together (the most precious of times) and we sneak Banjo in to cuddle as often as possible. He loves waking up in the trees!'
With its amazing balcony adjoining the living area, natural timber and lush tropical plant life in every nook, the whole apartment feels almost like an indoor garden or atrium. 'There is a lot to look at, it really puts your senses on over load' Anna says. Despite this, there is something usmistakebly calming about Dion and Anna's home. With it's high ceilings, generous proportions and cool, quiet interior, the space really is a sanctuary - 'it has a relaxing energy that people feed off of when they come over' Anna says. I can attest to that - there is something truly magical about this home!
Huge thanks to Dion, Anna and Banjo for sharing their family love nest with us today!
This home is a bit special. Feelin it!
really gorgeous pieces dion. your home is stylishly comfortable and i love the palette. plenty of love and care in this homeplace. beautiful family too!
I love all the cute little details in this place!! Thanks Lucy!
This is my dream home! I’m really loving all the homes that have featured recently – great finds Lucy!
Smashing. Bold, individual, artful, creative. More please!
This is gorgeous, and it looks like it’s lived in too.
Adore Banjo’s room! Super cute!
Nice to see something a bit different. Fortune favours the brave!
what a beautiful space – the plants in the garden oasis look great – but the best bit is the baby room – he is such a lucky baby!
such a beautiful home :-) love love
This apartment makes me want to rush out to the nearest plant nursery. Gorgeous space!
Love, love , love this apartment. its great to see such an individual approach and I am so envious of all that greenery.
Anti-bad vibes shield! Love it!!
Lovely, eclectic, warm and artistic – somehow reminds me of old-school creative sharehouses from the late eighties when rents were affordable!
I just love the individuality of this – the unique pieces of handcrafted furniture ( for example those slightly mad coconut stump stools with the nests painted on top), the textiles and textures, the plants, (amazingly I didn’t spot the ubiquitous fiddle leaf fig which I’m getting slightly bored with, gorgeous as they are) the pop of blue in that kitchen, the beautiful portrait of Anna by her sister, the slightly kitsch image behind that amazing bed. I love everything! Gorgeous.
Thank you for sharing! That is so great and full of inspiration!
This apartment is amazing! So many things to swoon over – from the checkered floor, to the tea tree bed, to the gorgeous cushions, the blue kitchen cabinets, the beach murals to the greenery in every corner….okay, I’m loving it all! :)
Greenery, books and Doors. Fabbo. Love this space.
Lovin’ this one! Super cool place.
Wow – love this place
This house has a wonderful holiday vibe, amongst other things ;-)
I actually remember when Dion was a world champion inline skater….Used to watch the X-Games in the the mid 1990s. What diverse talents!
I love this!! Together with the perfect use of the word “Boho”… perfection.
That gorgeous baby!! Love the way they have personalised a rented flat so stylishly.