I remember so well the feeling when I moved into my first home. I lived with my Mum until I was 27 (true story – don’t hold it against me!) so by the time I moved out properly, it was well overdue. I made up for lost time by nesting like a crazy person, doing ridiculous things like planting a vegie patch within a week of moving in. I was just SO EXCITED to have a home to call my own.
There is something of that sweet, wide-eyed enthusiasm about this lovely Sydney apartment. It belongs to young couple Elli Walsh, an artist, art writer and gallery assistant at Arthouse Gallery, and her partner Cameron Walsh, who works at Universal Music and runs The Sound of Vinyl.
Elli and Cameron spent AGES apartment hunting before securing this sweet two bedroom flat in a 1960’s block in Sydney’s Fairlight. ‘It was at a crazy time, when Sydney properties were selling before they even hit the market’ recalls Cameron. The pair had seen and loved this apartment, but it was priced way above their budget, so they moved on. Five weeks later, it was still for sale – which Cameron says ‘was an eternity in the property market at that time’ – so they made a ridiculous offer, and to their surprise, it was accepted. The place wasn’t in the best state, but they were keen to renovate, so it was perfect.
After taking possession, Elli and Cameron undertook a few key renovations. They laid new floorboards, painted throughout and updated the kitchen. They took great pleasure in sourcing materials, appliances and design details from various suppliers across Australia – keeping to a very modest budget, of course.
Elli and Cameron have decorated the place with such a meticulous attention to detail, sourcing a beautiful collection of vintage and contemporary furniture, light fittings and other details. Their secondhand lounge set is definitely a favourite – it was purchased for next to nothing on eBay, from an elderly couple who had owned it since the sixties! Originally, it was a mud brown synthetic fabric, but Elli and Cameron have given these classic piece a contemporary update by re-upholstering in natural linen.
As an artist and art gallery assistant, Elli has also accumulated an impressive collection of fine art in recent years, which is proudly on display in her home. ‘We adore all of our artwork, but a standout is definitely the resin wall sculpture by Sydney artist Fraser Anderson that we commissioned in 2014 for our 4-year wedding anniversary’ says Cameron. ‘It’s such a treat to wake up beneath it every day!’
Elli and Cameron’s apartment is a joyful and much loved first home. Nestled amongst lush treetops in a small block of just 6 apartments, this little lovenest has such a friendly, relaxed feel. It’s bright, airy and meticulously clean and tidy – in part due to Elli’s self confessed ’obsessive-compulsive tidiness’! It’s also ever-changing. ‘Elli is perpetually changing our interiors!’ says Cameron. ‘We have lots of art and special objects that we try to display without crossing the fine line into ‘clutter’.
For Elli and Cameron, Fairlight is a totally idyllic spot for their first home together. ‘We’re just a short walk from multiple beaches, and a ferry away from the city’ Cameron says. Lately, evenings after work have been spent floating in the ocean watching the sunset, while picnics, walks and falling asleep on the sand under a beach umbrella constitute most weekends. The apartment is, in Cam’s words, like ‘a beach shack without the sand’.
It’s absolutely gorgeous with some beautiful art pieces but almost too perfect and pulled together. And I love the vertical garden – very clever. Elli admits to “obsessive compulsive” tidiness and this comes through in her design choices and arrangements. But maybe there is another side to this perfect couple – are those portraits in the bedroom a hint of this?
This home is perfection.
I am currently closing my eyes hoping that when I open them my home looks just like this.
WOW, I absolutely love this place.
I’ve been trying to put my finger on why this place seems really special. I think it’s because the pieces are contemporary but in an earthy colour-palette.
Very beautiful & creative … from the location in amongst the trees, to the pared back renovation and interesting furniture and artworks. So much eye candy! Nice work Elli & Cameron : )
Diana, I think it’s perfection because it’s very contemporary but doesn’t slavishly follow trends. Plus, a beautiful sensibility of light and form in such a small space, and very considered & well-placed art. And also the limited colour palette (esp the green with the soft pink) with a few vivid rule-breakers… just nails it for me. Love the way the curved edges (cushions, chiar-legs, table-top, chair-backs, drawer-handles) relax the formality of straight lines… & the ways more detailed plants and rich vintage objects are disciplined by a minimalist sensibility. I could bang on, because this is the most beautiful home I’ve seen on TDF in a long time: bravo. (I only wish, with kids, I could have a light-coloured lounge like this…]
Lovely home….any chance of getting the contact for the person who re-upholstered your lounge? It looks great!
Very eloquently deconstructed KathW. I think you’re bang on. I’m with you on the light lounge. Even if I didn’t have kids though, I’m not sure I’d trust myself with light coloured linen on my couch. Hello shiny spots of melted Lindt!
Hi – Lovely space. I would love to know how Elli and Cameron stripped their retro table back to a light coloured finish. It looks beautiful.
Hi Elli,
I love your apartment and I’m just about to renovate an apartment of similar size and era.
It may be a year since this post, but can I ask where you sourced the floorboards? Would also love to know the sofa upholsterer’s contact details too. Maybe it’s the fabulous guy up in the back streets of Seaforth / North Balgowlah? Would be keen to know.
Thank you for your help and hope you are loving your home and life in my old haunt, Fairlight!
kind wishes
Joanna