Louise and Graeme Bell

This wonderful mid century home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches belongs to retailer Louise Bell of Table Tonic, her partner, architect Graeme Bell, and their kids Jasper (11) and Anoushka (7).

With it’s supremely photogenic front facade, Louise and Graeme’s home is a much loved and much photographed (!) local residence. It’s a distinctive part of the streetscape, appearing almost as a frozen snapshot from the 1950s!

Written

Lucy Feagins

Supported by Dulux

The Avalon home of Louise and Graeme Bell and family. Louise says, ‘The exterior of home constantly receives praise from passers by and neighbours who have watched it evolve since we’ve been here over the past 5 years!’ Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Louise and Graeme’s living area, looking out onto the lush front garden. Juju Hat African Headresses from Louise’s store Table Tonic, Bo Butik vintage danish sideboard, Roger McLay vintage Kone chair, Icelandic Sheepskin from Table Tonic, Cowhide rug from eBay, dining table From Spence & Lyda (Eames Base) with a Corian top, vintage TH brown dining chairs sourced on eBay, butterfly chairs from 506070. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Sitting room detail. Moroccan leather pouffes and jute bag with leather handles from Table Tonic.. Artwork by Henry Curchod. Vintage Danish copper pendant light sourced on eBay. Vintage vinyl and chrome chairs from Louise’s old workplace (‘three of them cost me a case of beer!’ she says). Mother In Laws Tongue plant from The Pot Warehouse, and Uashmama bag. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Sitting room details. Wall hanging from Table Tonic. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Sitting / TV room. King Furniture ‘Jasper’ Sofa, Mark Tuckey OXO coffee table, and Moroccan ‘Beni Ourain’ rug from Table Tonic, Scatter cushions by Lisa Lapointe, Linum and Table Tonic. Copper Lamp from Table Tonic, vintage hanging pendant light sourced on eBay, Fiddle Leaf Fig (and pot) from The Pot Warehouse. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Louise Bell in her Avalon family home (you wouldn’t believe it, but the temperature was 42 degrees on the day we took these shots – top effort from Louise having her portrait taken so effortlessly in these conditions!). Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living area. Vintage (1963) Fabricius & Kastholm Danish Pendant Light from Vampt.able. Dining Table From Spence & Lyda (Eames Base) with a Corian Top, Vintage TH Brown Dining chairs sourced on ebay, butterfly chairs from 506070. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living area. Vintage (1963) Fabricius & Kastholm Danish pendant light from Vampt Vintage Design, dining table from Spence & Lyda, vintage TH brown dining chairs sourced on eBay, and butterfly chairs from 506070. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Entrance Hall. Wall Hanging made by Louise, vintage hat Rack from Urban Rustic, the doorstop was a housewarming gift. Front door painted in Dulux ‘Gold Rush’. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living area. Juju Hat African Headresses from Louise’s store Table Tonic, Bo Butik vintage danish sideboard, Roger McLay vintage Kone chair, Icelandic Sheepskin from Table Tonic, Cowhide rug from eBay, dining table From Spence & Lyda (Eames Base) with a Corian top, vintage TH brown dining chairs sourced on eBay, butterfly chairs from 506070. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Vintage outdoor setting sourced on eBay, plant and pot from The Pot Warehouse Tunisian Towel from Table Tonic. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Anoushka’s room. Artwork by Lisa Lapointe, bed by Mark Tuckey, vintage wall sconces sourced on eBay, bedlinen by Mamapapa and Cultiver (pillowcase), white and silver from Table Tonic. Wall in Dulux ‘Domino’. ‘Don’t ever think an almost-black feature wall won’t work in a 7-year-old-girl’s bedroom!’ says Louise. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Study. Artwork by Henry Curchod, Vintage Danish copper pendant light sourced on eBay, and vintage vinyl and chrome chairs from Louise’s old workplace. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom. Wall Hanging from Table Tonic, bed by Mark Tuckey, and vintage wall sconces sourced on eBay. Bed linen from Cultiver and Rachel Castle, Moroccan wedding blanket, Moroccan pom pom blanket and uashmama bag from Table Tonic. Walls painted in Dulux ‘Natural White’. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Writer

Lucy Feagins

2nd of February 2016

This mid century beauty belongs to retailer Louise Bell of Table Tonic, her partner, architect Graeme Bell, and their kids Jasper (11) and Anoushka (7). The family have been here exactly 5 years.

With it’s supremely photogenic front facade, Louise and Graeme’s home is a much loved local residence. It’s a distinctive part of the streetscape, appearing almost as a frozen snapshot from the 1950s! In fact, the house was built in 1957, designed by Australian architect Loyal Alexander for his own family. The project turned heads even then, first featuring in the August 1958 issue of Australian House and Garden Magazine!

In recent years, however, the place hasn’t always looked quite this good. When Louise and Graeme first took possession, the property was in need of some love. The pair have sympathetically restored and refurbished both interiors and external areas, with all of the design work (and most of the building work) done by Graeme. Externally, this has included restoration of all steel and timber frame doors and windows, replacement of the balcony balustrade, new sandstone crazy paving and a new roof, as well as the addition of a breeze brick wall beneath the balcony – such a beautiful seamless addition to the front facade, we can’t believe this isn’t original!

Inside, the home has been painted throughout (we love the yellow, white and black palette!), whilst a new 1950’s-style sandstone fireplace and hearth have been added, along with new teak joinery in the study and living room, designed to complement existing cabinetry elsewhere in the house. Ever a work-in-progress, the charm of this home really lies in the way it has been layered and thoughtfully improved over time, making it just as vibrant, beautiful and functional for a family today as it was in 1957!

Louise is passionate about interiors, and many of the beautiful details here are from her popular retail store, Table Tonic. She is particularly fond of her collection of African Feather Juju Hats. ‘They are so unique, and such a lovely alternative to two dimensional art on a wall – particularly in a cluster’ she says. ‘When, like us, you have a few walls on the same elevation to fill, they’re effective in breaking up the look with some texture’ she adds.

Mostly though, the joy of living here is about the surroundings. Nestled on a deep block, and surrounded by lush plant life, there is so much to love about this relaxed family home. Having previously lived in central Sydney, the abundance of natural light is something Louise really appreciates here. And being walking distance from the beach is the icing on the cake!