Bailey Meredith, co-founder of the popular bathing brand Baina, has created a stunning home that perfectly reflects her company's aesthetic philosophy in a charming 1930s apartment building in Sydney's Kensington neighborhood. The New Zealand native, who moved to Australia with her husband Ali Williams and their dog Gruff in June 2022, has transformed their compact two-bedroom unit into a showcase of thoughtful design and carefully curated furnishings.
The apartment's location offers Meredith the unique luxury of taking lunch break swims at nearby Clovelly beach, just a 12-minute drive away. "There's not a lot of places in the world where you can do that," she notes about the ocean-hugging suburb's distinctive cove-like swimming spot, where rocky perches replace traditional pool decks. The positioning between city and ocean, just 10 minutes from Baina's offices, provides what Meredith describes as a calming atmosphere without the overwhelming suburban feel.
The couple was drawn to their building's character and the area's architectural diversity. "You have this really interesting mix around here of Federation-era homes and then these elegant brick apartment blocks from the 1930s," Meredith explains. Their chosen building, an intimate two-story structure housing eight units, features lovingly preserved exterior details and elegant touches in public spaces, including wrought-iron balustrades and stained glass windows. "It's those little details that set buildings apart," she emphasizes.
Having never lived in an apartment before – New Zealand predominantly features standalone homes – Meredith was initially uncertain about close proximity to neighbors. However, she discovered an unexpected community bonus, likening their inherited neighborhood to "winning the lottery." Several residents have dogs that play together in the shared backyard, creating a friendly, collaborative living environment that exceeded her expectations.
The apartment's thoughtful layout maximizes their compact space effectively. An extended hallway runs the full length of the unit, with each room branching off systematically. The kitchen and dining area appear first, followed by a small nook and a vintage linen cupboard that Meredith refinished with her mother's help. The living room sits at an ideal distance from the kitchen, providing what she calls "a sense of retreat." "One of us can be sitting in the dining room reading a book and the other can be in the lounge listening to a record, and you don't really hear or notice each other, which is really nice," she explains.
The bathroom serves as a centerpiece of the home, featuring original penny tiles and a deep enamel tub that Meredith considers non-negotiable. "If we can't save the bath, we're not touching it," she states regarding any potential renovations. The space also offers a sneak peek of Baina's forthcoming apothecary line, alongside the brand's signature towels in tabac and noir palettes. "I find myself reaching for ones that add warmth and depth while still evoking a sense of softness and calm," Meredith notes about her towel selections, describing the color scheme as "perfect for cool evenings and crisp mornings."
As former renters, the space required significant cosmetic improvements, but the couple deliberately avoided rushing into major renovations after completing extensive work on their previous New Zealand home. "I certainly learned how important it is to really live in a space before you do too much to it, to understand how you utilize each room and the way that you flow through it," she reflects. Their initial approach involved simple but effective changes: coating the apartment in creamy white paint, replacing lighting fixtures, and hanging fresh curtains.
After a full year of observing how light moved through each room and identifying their preferred spaces, they proceeded with a proper kitchen and dining area refresh. The renovation incorporated banquette seating and stainless-steel countertops, balancing serenity and functionality in both materials and overall feeling. The result creates a relaxed atmosphere near the cooking action, which suits their lifestyle perfectly. "My husband is the primary cook in this house," Meredith says. "He'll be in the kitchen, and I love to lounge at the dining table."
The primary and guest bedrooms occupy the rear of the property, maximizing natural light through north-facing windows that capture the most sun throughout the day. The home's design philosophy extends throughout all spaces, where simple yet striking ceiling molding and traditional pine flooring complement eclectic and minimal furnishings. The living room features a comfortable curl-up sofa and modular console overflowing with records, while the bedrooms combine vintage dressers with modern light fixtures.
Meredith's decorating approach directly reflects the ethos she brings to Baina, actively pushing against concepts of hyper-seasonality and finite design timelines. "It's that idea of layering to create a unique setting," she explains. "I love pieces that hold meaning beyond the physical; it's a memory or marker in our lives." This philosophy of thoughtful curation and meaningful selection permeates every aspect of their Sydney home, creating a space that serves as both personal sanctuary and professional inspiration for the growing bathing brand.
