CALM WATERS
With perfect proximity to the world’s prettiest harbour, this cool Sydney apartment is as chill as its owners
Envy alert: a blissfully serene harbourside apartment.
GIVEN HER OCCUPATION
as the purveyor of some of the finest linen bedding, care of her cult brand In Bed, it’s no surprise that Pip Vassett’s Sydney home is decked out in the tactile, cosy fabric. She pairs the natural weave with blond timber, well-worn denim, leather and skins, plus ample deep-green house plants, to create a modern, Scandi-heads-down-under aesthetic. “Being by the water in Rose Bay, we tried to create a bit of a coastal, not beachy, feel,” says Vassett, who shares the top-floor apartment with her husband (and In Bed’s brand director) Eddie Arnott and their gorgeous cocker spaniel Buddy. “The floors are dark timber, so we used a very pale grey paint on the walls, rather than white, so it wasn’t too stark.”
The bedroom and office, with matching glass doors, share access to a sweet balcony. “It gets beautiful light all day and looks out over a tennis court at the school next door, so it’s nice having open space instead of another apartment block,” Vassett says. But the sun-soaked outdoor area isn’t the
one that gets the most use. “The lounge room is where we relax and wind down. I’m unashamedly a homebody and love nothing more than a glass of wine, dinner and a good movie at home.”
The family also spend much of their spare time on their “floating daybed” of a boat, which is moored minutes from their house. These days, there’s less downtime though, with the pair recently opening In Bed’s first retail space in nearby Paddington. In the store they, of course, sell their signature linen, sleepwear and deliciously cosy cashmere blankets, as well as natural beauty products from Sans Ceuticals and covetable ceramics from makers like Tara Burke and Gidon Bing.
While the chic store is set to inspire plenty of home decorators, Vassett says her own style is influenced by peering into the spaces of others. “I get inspiration from all over the place, but mostly from other people’s homes – I love seeing how people live and create a home.”
“My style is minimal but still cosy and homely. I love mixing newer pieces with good vintage finds”