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It took a year of searching and a buyer’s agent to locate artist Nicole Nelius and film director Christopher Nelius’ perfect home, but they finally found it in this Bellevue Hill art deco apartment.
The apartment is large for inner-eastern Sydney, containing three bedrooms across a 90 square metre floor plan. The couple’s sons Remy (5) and August (2) share a bedroom, while the third is a rotating study, bedroom, and place to retreat. ‘We have a daybed in there that we love to have our morning coffee and curl up with a book on,’ says Nicole.
The space had been beautifully renovated by the previous owner, introducing a new kitchen and fresh canvas for the family to build on. ‘She also added height to the doorways leading to the kitchen and the living areas, which give the entire space a larger, airier feel,’ says Nicole. ‘We have changed all the fittings to brass, to soften the space and align with the era of the home.’
The family’s eclectic styling is made up of heirlooms and artworks collected over many years, anchored by key pieces of contemporary furniture. And while the walls remain white, nearly every piece of furniture and decor here injects a pop of colour! ‘Even our bedding is double-sided to maximise colour options!’ says Nicole. ‘I don’t need bold, but I do love colour.’
Ever-changing natural light also serves as its own unique feature of the space. ‘Throughout the day the light plays on the walls in really magical, fleeting ways. I could wall-watch the day away,’ says Nicole.
Nicole and Christopher love living in the inner East of Sydney, close to parks, beaches, and their children’s activities. In just a few minutes’ walk they can find themselves enjoying ocean view, or exploring the urban rainforest that is Cooper Park.
‘It has a very European apartment feel as well. Every corner is truly lived-in and each room constantly in flux,’ says Nicole of her home. ‘You may not see the Lego on the floors right now, but I assure you that it is everywhere!’
