Nature, balance and light – everything you’d expect to find in the home of one of Australia’s brightest wellness gurus.
‘We built the deck around the trees. It’s quite tropical here and we feel as though we’re in a little sanctuary of wildlife and plants, even though we’re two minutes from the hustle and bustle of Bondi.’ For similar outdoor wire chairs, try Arper (arper.com)
With a business ethos of ‘beauty begins in the belly’, it’s no surprise that Carla Oates, founder of supplements brand The Beauty Chef, designed her home based on gut instinct, too. ‘The way that I choose things is very visceral,’ she says. ‘There are pieces that I’ve been drawn to along the way and it’s been serendipitous that they all work together.’
In 2009, the former beauty editor created a product called Glow Inner Beauty Powder, a daily drink containing fermented superfoods and probiotics. Having seen her daughter suffer skin allergies, Carla began researching the connection between the gut and skin health, and while tinkering in her kitchen, The Beauty Chef brand was born. All Carla’s skincare products are made from scratch using plants and organic products. ‘I was concerned about the amount of chemicals in skincare products and I felt passionate about helping to change the paradigm in the beauty industry,’ says Carla.
This emphasis on wellness and having the space to breathe is reflected in Carla’s home, which is filled with beautifully designed, purposeful pieces and earthy textures. Greenery is also present in the form of house plants and flowers, bringing natural beauty into the house. Above all else, Carla’s home is nurturing: ‘I love chairs you can sink into with a good book; living rooms where the whole family can cuddle up or have a conversation; furniture that is good for the soul.’
‘Having a kitchen that’s a pleasure to work in was a must for me because it’s where I create and find inspiration for new products,’ Carla says. For a similar multi-arm pendant light try Heal’s (heals.com)
An assortment of vases and ceramics from Country Road (countryroad.com), Atolyia (atolyia.com), Dinosaur Designs (dinosaurdesigns.co.uk) and Kimberly Cruz (thepotterxtheclay.com) sit next to a bust made by Carla’s daughter Jeet in school. ‘I love using a mixture of materials as it adds warmth to a space,’ Carla says. For similar abstract art, try Habitat (habitat.co.uk)
The couple bought the then ‘dark and rundown’ 1940s-style Bondi apartment 13 years ago, undertaking mammoth renovations to transform it, complete with two outdoor areas, an extra bedroom and teenage retreat. ‘We feel proud because we did it on such a budget, but I would never do it again!’ Carla says. ‘When everything was completed – finally – our neighbours gave us a round of applause.’
In the kitchen a Carrara marble worktop and splashback were both musts for Carla. ‘I love how Carrara reflects the light and how the geological history is mapped within the stone.’ Light wood floors and white walls add to the bright, airy feel, and pretty accessories take pride of place. ‘I like to mix and match styles. Things don’t have to be expensive to work, they just have to make you feel good.’
Find out more about Carla’s beauty and wellness range at thebeautychef.com. Follow her on Instagram @thebeautychef
Carla’s bright, airy living area brings her great joy: ‘Light makes everything look more beautiful,’ she says. For similar textured cushions, try Graham & Green (grahamandgreen.co.uk). The rug is from West Elm (westelm.co.uk)
This console table, in the living room, is from Ikea (ikea.com). The artwork is by John Olsen (olsengallery.com), the vase by Country Road (as before) and the woven bag ‘bought at a street market on a recent trip to Bali’. For a similar bag, try Etsy (etsy.com). The photo is of Jeet
Carla’s bedlinen – mismatched patterns and tonal colours – ‘gives a calm, fresh feel’. The relaxing vibe is echoed in the seascape, which was painted by a friend. For similar, try King & McGaw (kingandmcgaw.com)
Carla has several stools dotted around her home; the one in the hallway is by Mark Tuckey (marktuckey.com). ‘I find them practical and sculptural,’ she says. For a similar rug, try Yonder (yonderliving.com)
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