So, could you tell me a bit more about the history behind your retreat – how, and when did the journey start and develop?

The journey to Bangalow Slow started when we were originally looking a little further afield. It’s our dream to retire to acreage in the Byron hinterland, and it was while we were looking at acreage properties that we stumbled upon Bangalow.

After spending a few weekends there, we realised what a special little town it is. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but everyone is so welcoming and chilled… it just has such good vibes, the restaurants, cafes, markets, we fell in love with it. It feels like how Byron used to be, it has its own pace, a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. But still close enough to Byron for the beautiful beaches. Bangalow felt like the best of both worlds.

We felt so lucky to find our property almost immediately. It was in a perfect location. Location was the most important factor for us. We wanted to be able to walk out the front door and be right in the heart of Bangalow.

The home had been renovated 80% when we took it over, which worked well for us. Chris (my husband) is a tradie, so he’s super handy and we liked the idea of finishing it off the way we wanted. The previous owner had done a great job, opening the rooms up, knocking down walls and clearing large parts of the backyard to create spaces and flow that I knew would make the blueprint for a lovely holiday home.

I'm not an interior designer by trade, but I do love all things interiors, and I knew the minute we stepped foot in the house that I would be able to create a beautiful, relaxed, fun home for families and friends to enjoy in one of the most stunning parts of Australia.

I focused on creating a simple, relaxed, home with a neutral palate. It’s a home for families and friends to enjoy, so I wanted to steer clear of expensive trinkets and ornaments, or anything glass or that could be easily knocked over by kids! We’ve all stayed in holiday houses where you’re constantly worrying about breaking things, and I didn’t want that to be the case here. I chose solid wood furniture, hard-wearing rugs, slipcover sofas and beautiful, soft linens – making it just so easy to live in and stress-free.

While we initially bought it as a holiday home for ourselves, Chris’s business was keeping him up in Brisbane a lot more than we had hoped. So, we decided to short-term let and let others enjoy what we had created.

Why did you choose this particular property?

We looked at a few properties but the reason we went for this house was its location. It’s less than a minute walk to the main street of Bangalow. I love the idea of not having to get in a car, just being able to walk to the pub, or the bowlo [bowling club] or the shops – and that’s real holiday vibes for me. For us and the people that we've already hosted there, that’s the best part. You just come in, dump your stuff, and enjoy everything Bangalow has to offer.

Another big draw card was the size and layout. The house sleeps nine which means two families, or a group of friends can all stay. There are four bedrooms and two separate living spaces inside, plus you've got the pool, a games/media room, firepit area, ping pong table in the garage – there are lots of spaces to enjoy.

I could envisage family get-togethers around the pool area straight away. There’s also so much space around the pool that we’ve put in a fitted kitchen with a double wine fridge, pizza oven, and hanging chair. It has so much more potential too, but for now, it’s perfect to enjoy just as it is.

Swimming pools are also not super common in Bangalow, so we loved that there was a big one! While Byron is only a 15-minute drive away if you fancy a beach day, in summer it’s nice to have a pool to cool off in.

So, you were quite involved in the interior design?

Yes, that was all me. It was just a big white box when we took it over, but it was easy to start layering in all the elements that would make it a home. Selecting the furniture and the art, and the lighting etc… it was all such a joy, I loved it.

What inspiration did you have in mind when decorating Bangalow Slow?

I think there’s a definite aesthetic that I kind of lean towards, that comes from a few places that I've stayed in. The Bower Byron Bay, and The Atlantic Byron Bay. Both have nailed that lived in, stylish vibe. Relaxed but not ‘beachy’. We’re in the hinterland, so I had to make sure to stay away from anything too ‘beachy’. I wanted to keep it kind of ‘earthy’ instead, so rather than stark whites and blues, it was more of taupes, creams, and browns... I just took my cues from places I’ve stayed that felt like home even though they were a hotel.

I also knew I really wanted to work with MCM House. They have a showroom in Byron, and the girls are amazing there. Most of the furniture is from MCM house. The winter palate at MCM is so lush and it was easy to layer the colours together in-store and see how it would come together. The linens also are all from MONTAUK, which are just divine, like sleeping in a cloud.

The decor was all just about keeping it really ‘down to earth’ and keeping the colours really natural. Anything else just wouldn't fit in the beautiful landscape that we're surrounded by. I absolutely loved the process.

Any secret tips about Bangalow for us?

Well, I think that overall, it’s just such a hidden gem.

I don’t know a single person who has been to Bangalow and didn’t love it.

Don’t miss ‘Woods’ for breakfast, ‘Butcher Baker’ for burgers, or ‘Ciao Mate’ for dinner and you cannot beat evening cocktails on the terrace at ‘You Beauty’.

The Bangalow Markets are also an absolute highlight, and every year there is The Bangalow Show and the Bangalow Billy Cart Derby when the town goes crazy – it’s such a fun place to visit. I’m still discovering new things every time I visit.

Byron is so close, so you can still enjoy a visit to the beach or a big night out on the town, but with Byron being so busy now, it’s lovely to be able to come back to quiet little Bangalow and relax.

‍What makes your property different, or unique, from other properties in Bangalow – in your view? 

I think it’s the style…It’s not a beach house – because, obviously, we're not at the beach – but it's kind of a hinterland version of a beach house... if that makes sense?

It feels nice and relaxed, but it’s also got a bit of character. Like, I just love the black and white shades out front. I think that makes it really just scream ‘holiday’. I think they're beautiful and really make it stand out.

Are there any favourite, particular things about your property that you really love yourself? 

Well, I think that definitely one thing that I really love about it is that it’s a house that lends itself to just a really good get together. You know, you've got so many spaces, but they all flow into each other really nicely. You can have kids playing games, people out by the pool, people cooking ... and then it's only just two minutes, and you're at the pub or out to dinner.

So, you know, it's just that kind of perfect “holiday living'. That’s how we came up with the name, “Bangalow Slow” – because holidays are about a change of pace, and we definitely feel that here.

If you had three key words to describe the property by, what would they be?

Relax, Slow, Family.