At Home With Bailey Jones

Moving into your first *owned* house can be just as challenging as it is exciting — and that’s not even touching on the decor. 

At least, that’s what content creator and revenue data analyst, Bailey Jones, seems to have found, telling Sheridan Life candidly, “Truth be told, after getting a mortgage it’s difficult to part with lots of money for interiors.”

But unlike some of us, Bailey has a secret weapon on hand — her mum, Paula, owner of Melbourne-based slow fashion label, Jonei. When it came to her apartment in the Beverley Hills complex — no, not the one Weezer sings about, the one in South Yarra — she calls it  “a bit of push and pull between eccentricity and refined minimalism.”

Confessing that she had originally visited the complex for a “very casual snoop” and ended up becoming heartsick over it, “I knew this was somewhere I could live for a long time.” Aware of it prior, thanks to being a “big fan” of the space’s architect, Howard Lawson, it was the beautiful building, traditional features and tree-top views that really cinched it for her.

Moving in January of this year, Bailey explains that “although we haven’t had a chance to renovate yet, we’ve done what we can with minimal expense.”

“The fit out of the place is very much a collaborative effort, between myself and my mum, Paula,” who co-owns the space.

“I concocted ideas in my head that seemed ludicrous to execute on a budget and in Australia,” explains Bailey,” and my mum would take a swing at doing it herself and execute it very well.”

Like the fireplace. Outfitted with an ornate wooden frame (found on Facebook Marketplace and spray painted with chalk paint) and inlaid with marble tiles, not only does it look more finished, but as the content creator gushes “It’s amazing what this has done to bring depth to the space!”

It’s not the only change Bailey and mum have done to decorate the space “in a way that’s worthy of its history.”

Moving to the bedroom, she decided to do something “a little funky” when it came to decorating — both inspired by and paying homage to, Cy Twombly’s villa.

Being the first place she’s lived in where she’s been allowed to paint, not only did she mimic the painted door frames — it left her “inspired” to extend the blue paint motif with a mural she sketched out.

Talking about how she wanted to make a feature on her bedroom wall, she sketched out some flowers, fish and heads — “the fish and the leaves are similar to images on Portuguese tiles,” Bailey explains. Getting more help from the family — “Luckily, my Aunty is an artist” — it was her relative who painted over her drawings.  

Continuing the Mediterranean theme is a scalloped bedhead with blue trim, created by her mum using a jigsaw, wadding and foam. The slipcover was sewn by Paula, with two made — allowing for alternate looks. 

These curved, organic shapes are continued through her bed linen — our Tamber Collection, including quilt cover, pillowcase and Euro. Complementing the existing elements subtly, it’s been a lesson in “theme evolution” — and the smoky blue tones of Tamber allow the mural to “pop”.

With such a strong look — and colours — in the bedroom, Bailey’s mindful of “creating harmony” throughout the space. This can be seen throughout, what she calls the “tonal lounge.” 

The sofa and armchairs were “second-hand online”, originally upholstered in red leather — “very much not my vibe.” Purchased regardless (who among us can resist a good deal?), her mum learnt how to reupholster them in the traditional style. “Et voila.” And topped with texture — like our Abbotson Square Linen Cushion in flax — it lets the standout pieces, well, stand out. 

The lounge room also contains the most meaningful item in her home — her cousin’s prints, made when he was 17, that hang in the space. “We’re the same age and we’ve always been very close, so I love coming home to this piece of him.”

And, of course, we can’t talk about Bailey’s apartment without talking about the larger complex. “I love that I live with a relatively small footprint and have access to all of the space and beauty I could want.”

That space and beauty include tropical planting, and a 1930s Hollywood-style pool - and of course, the requisite Sheridan Towel. 

“I share it with many wonderful people who make this building and community special,” says Bailey. The space, we hope, and not the towel.