BELLE HEMMING

INTERIOR DECORATOR AND STYLIST, 43

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Belle with Vivien and Odie; Belle loves to wrap her gifts in brown paper with decorations and twine, finished with spruce from her property’s pine tree; Belle is wearing a Witchery necklace. When she isn’t working at styling businesses The Belle Bright Project or Inside Story, Belle is studying to become a meditation teacher. She lives in Glenlyon, a small country village in Victoria, with her husband Andrew, 47, daughter Vivien, 11, their border collie, Obie, and cats Mambo and Socks. What do you love about living in the country? Nature is so good for the soul — I love the space, and the peace and quiet. How would you describe your personal style? Natural with a modern and a bohemian twist. What are your wardrobe necessities? Linen is essential in the warmer months. I’m also fond of white Converse or Lacoste sneakers with jeans and dresses. I travel interstate a lot for work, so clothing that doesn’t crease too badly is a must. What are your favourite labels and shops? For basics I shop at Assembly Label and Country Road, Nobody Denim for denim, and Piper or Seed Heritage for reasonably priced seasonal pieces. I buy linen from Opia and Hope & May when I’m in Byron Bay. I head to Sportsgirl and Witchery for inexpensive statement jewellery, as well as Dinosaur Designs and handmade artisan brand Pesci Che Volano from Florence that’s available through Harry and Me in Daylesford. What are your go-to beauty essentials? I cleanse and moisturise twice a day and at night apply my organic rose oil that I make every year from roses in my garden. I love Edible Beauty, Antipodes and Aesop, and use natural deodorant only — yes, they do work. Fortnightly natural face masks are also a must, and Conscious.kin stock a wonderful range of natural skincare products. My hair is curly, so a good conditioner is essential — I love Kevin Murphy Killer Curls and Aveda. What do you never leave home without? A statement jewellery piece or a scarf, a great pair of earrings, my Mulberry purse, my Keep Cup, Nike runners and my jute canvas tote bag in camel, which goes with everything. What are you planning for Christmas Day? This year will be a quiet one with Andrew and Vivien, dining on seafood and salads followed by a traditional plum pudding with brandy. We’re spending a few nights beforehand in a gorgeous beach shack on Apollo Bay. Follow @bellebrightproject and @inside_story_ on Instagram.