Homes

Beachside Castle In An Art-Deco Cloud

Some people have a special quality of living with a real sense of harmony across all facets of their lives. Sydney-based model Anna Feller is one such lady, whose Bondi apartment is both a visual representation of Anna’s personality, and the perfect pared-back environment to support her holistic lifestyle.

We chat with Anna about the Art Deco sanctuary she shares with son Banjo, her simple styling ethos, and her love of the ocean. Anna has found a perfect harmony of style and purpose!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

Inside model Anna Feller’s Bondi home – featuring her ‘cloud bed!’ Linen by INBED. Lighting by Formagenda. Side tables by MCM House. Painting by Gabrielle Penfold. Styling – Annie Portelli, Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Painting by Gabrielle Penfold. Cushions made from vintage Egyptian camel saddlebags. Styling – Annie Portelli, Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Anna’s four-year-old son Banjo’s artwork on the walls (painted when he was two – masterpieces!) bringing life and love to this minimal home. Styling – Annie Portelli, Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

A snapshot of Anna’s jewellery collection. Tonk stool by MCM House. Vintage rug from Morocco. Styling – Annie Portelli, Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Anna’s beachy home is inside an Art-Deco apartment building in the heart of Bondi. ‘Anti Bad Vibe Shield’ woven artwork by Ozzy Wrong. Sofa and bench table by MCM House. Anna’s wearing AGOLDE white jeans and a vintage denim jacket from Tokyo. Styling – Annie Portelli, Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Styling – Annie Portelli, Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Artwork by Anna’s son Banjo. Sofa by MCM House. Vintage kimono from Tokyo. Styling – Annie Portelli, Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

A look into Banjo’s playful room! Painting on wall by Ozzy Wrong. The colourful cupboard was custom-made by Banjo’s dad, with artwork by Nick Hernandez. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling by Annie Portelli.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
25th of September 2018

Model Anna Feller and her (almost) five year-old son Banjo have lived in their Art Deco beachside Bondi apartment for the past three years. Anna acknowledges a particular weakness for any Art Deco building, and when combined with the addition of the bath tub, white floorboards and sea views, this apartment was an immediate winner.

Anna’s personal style, and the influence of a Bondi lifestyle permeates through her bright and cheerful home. For Anna, a relaxed and fresh aesthetic reflects the patterns and routines of her day, where she is ‘in the ocean every day.’ She highlights, ‘I wear a lot of white… and I’m now realising I also have a very white apartment!’

Perhaps unsurprisingly given the industry she’s in, Anna’s approach to styling her apartment is closely tied to her sense of personal style. She describes her aesthetic as combining ‘vintage and modern pieces, with texture’. While corners of Anna’s bedroom and living room resembles pillows of crisp white pavlova, Banjo’s room introduces bright pops colour, with art-lined walls and a collection of wooden toys and quirky knick knacks.

Anna describes her home as ‘very comfortable – it’s a beach shack in an Art Deco building.’ (If this is shack living, we are totally on board!)

There is a sense of uncluttered and considered living here – a pared back approach to furnishing and styling allows the art deco details (and water views!) to be front and centre. Anna outlines her approach to furnishing the space as ‘not overthinking it’. When she and Banjo moved in three years ago, they had ‘left everything behind, so it was a very clean slate. It’s been such a treat to create a sanctuary for my son and I perched right above the beach.’

For Anna, this apartment is largely about location, and the interiors reflect the dreamy lifestyle she and Banjo have nurtured here. In addition to her beloved ‘cloud’ bed, Anna’s most cherished aspect of living in this Bondi nest is ‘the community, the 6am swims before work and the school drop off.’ This home truly supports a life well lived – especially being able to check the surf while still being cocooned in white, fluffy linen!

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