Dion Antony, Anna Feller and Family
Homes
27th August, 2014
The Sydney home of Dion Antony, Anna Feller and Family. Their garden oasis adjoining the living room is always a favourite spot for a long lunch. Cushions by Pony Rider. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Anna's favourite lavender plant. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Living room details. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Living room. Pony Rider cushion, vintage post box filled with plants, picnic basket on wheels. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Living room. Pony rider x cushion , banjos toy box made from vintage radio flyer. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Dion, Anna and gorgeous baby Banjo. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
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!
Living room. Cushions are Persian nomadic, coconut stump stools are a collaboration by Dion Antony Artisan X Vanessa Bate (hand painted nests), mirrored coffee table by Dion Antony Artisan. Wagon wheel bird cage light by Dion. Portrait of Anna by her sister, canadian artist Bubzee. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Bar/ kitchen. Flame sculptured stool (to left) by Dion Antony Artisan, vintage dresser, canadian club wood surf board. Anna wears vintage Ksubi dress, converse shoes , Mania Mania rings. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Kitchen. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Dining room. Bench seats and flame sculptured stool by Dion Antony Artisan. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Piano nook. Berlin piano, Doors poster , vintage ladder, copper fish. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Main bedroom. Inbed linen sheets, amazing coastal tea tree four post bed frame made by Dion, glass lamp with neon shade also made by Dion. Sunset wall paper back drop. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Main bedroom. Inbed linen sheets, coastal tea tree four post bed frame by Dion Antony Artisan, glass lamp with neon shade also made by Dion. Sunset wall paper back drop. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
Baby Banjo loves his room! Leander cot, alpaca rug from Queen Victoria markets, vintage ghetto blaster, anti bad vibe shield by Ozzie Wrong, lampshade by Vanessa Bate, painting by Nick Hernandez, padded exercise ball by Dion Antony artisan. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.
