By Arabella Peterson Interiors 16.10.2025

10 Laid-Back Decorating Tricks Byron Bay Is Known For

How to channel coastal cool, according to five iconic Northern Rivers creatives.

Byron Bay is famous for many things – turquoise surf breaks, lush hinterland, a slower way of living… the short-lived reality series Byron Baes. But it’s the town’s creative residents and arts scene that really gives it its signature character.

Naturally, in a town where artists, designers, and entrepreneurs flock, the interiors of local residences and businesses alike are imbued with a sense of style and individuality. Here, a slow-living philosophy meets a thriving creative community – a combination that’s produced some of the country’s most inspiring homes, a number of which we’ve shared through The Makers series.

While each space has its own distinct flair, a few elements are present in almost every home, perfectly encapsulating the chilled-out atmosphere and visionary spirit of the Northern Rivers. Take note of these easy-to-do tips, tricks and themes we’ve picked up on while touring the stunning living quarters of some of our favourite Byron-based Makers.

Rotate art like a gallery

Arguably the addition that injects the most personality into a home, artwork can transform an already stylish room into something soulful and truly one-of-a-kind. With most of us short on wall space, think of your home as a rotating gallery – re-curate pieces with the seasons, your mood, or as you update details like wall colour and bedding.

In The Makers, Julia Ashwood keeps a vast collection of art (thanks to her ex-gallerist husband) tucked away and ready to bring out when the time feels right. Both she and Bella McGoldrick blend their own works with pieces by local painters, ceramicists, and photographers. Hang art with simple, removable hardware to make swapping easy – and don’t shy away from displaying your own creations. It’s an instant conversation starter and a personal touch that makes a space feel alive. Prefer to have all your art where you can see it? Try working your way up to a gallery wall to showcase your whole collection.

Think local

From the art on the walls to the furniture and trinkets on the shelves, pieces handmade by local craftspeople can ground your home and help you feel connected to the place you’re in. While Byron Bay might have a slight advantage when it comes to the pool of artisans to choose from, your city or neighbourhood likely has talented people creating work that speaks to your aesthetic. And if you’re in a town or small community, buying from locals helps support the regional economy – win-win.

Across The Makers, we’ve seen this philosophy come to life in every Northern Rivers home – from Julia’s collection of artworks by Angus McDiarmid of Pãn Pottery, to Bella’s custom dining table by Harley Hamilton, and Emily Yates’ vintage furniture finds sourced from local markets.

Functional furniture

Even with all the incredible furniture options out there, sometimes you just need something fit for purpose. In the case of Bella and Olive Cooke, their bedrooms called for a custom-made structure as the centrepiece.

If you could do with more storage (and who couldn’t?), clever under-bed drawers allow for an extra stash of linens, clothing, or seasonal pieces. Bedheads with shelves and built-in side tables and sconces save space while looking effortlessly chic, as seen in both Bella and Olive’s homes. Size shelving to fit the things you’d like to display – your books, records, or keepsakes – so everything feels intentional and within reach.

Mixing vintage with new

Okay, this technique is probably applied by every stylish person on the planet, not just those hailing from Byron, but we’ve seen it in every home in the area. Pair one designer or collectible item with an array of down-to-earth, well-worn vintage pieces to make your décor feel both curated and effortless.

Bella’s home layers vintage Italian furniture alongside playful modern staples like a sculptural Tom Sachs chair and a plush Armadillo rug. Olive Cooke’s self-appointed “eclectic minimalism” brings together vintage pendant lighting and sleek, contemporary cabinetry.

Meanwhile, Lisa Danielle Green’s French-inspired farmhouse contrasts reclaimed terracotta roof tiles repurposed as bathroom flooring with elegant, modern onyx lighting and clean-lined furnishings. The result is spaces that feel timeless, personal, and just the right amount of lived-in.

Collections with meaning

Your home should tell your story – where you’ve been, and who the most important people in your life are. An obvious way to convey that sense of personal history is through your art, especially if it’s made by a loved one. Take a leaf out of Julia Ashwood and Olive Cooke’s books: the children’s rooms in Julia’s home feature handcrafted timber artworks made by their uncle, while Olive’s daughter Paloma has a mobile of driftwood and shells handmade by her grandparents hanging above her crib.

Evoke your most magical memories by collecting treasures (no matter how big or small) while travelling. Emily’s husband, Will, sourced a pair of vintage Sicilian shell prints on a European holiday to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to their coastal home – a perfect example of how even the smallest keepsakes can add soul and story to a space.

Indoor–outdoor flow

What connects so many of the houses in the Northern Rivers is that integrating nature is approached as a brief, not an afterthought. Granted, the idyllic weather in Byron lends itself to hybrid-style floor plans that blur the line between indoors and out, but there are ways to implement this even if you’re not blessed with sunshine 300 days a year. Mirror outdoor materials and tones inside – like Emily Yates, who restored spotted gum floorboards (a tree native to the area), or Olive Cooke, whose timber panelling, sisal carpet, and soft, earthy palette reflect the landscape that surrounds her home.

A calm base with playful accents

One of the defining design threads across Byron homes is balance – calm foundations paired with bursts of colour and character. Olive keeps her palette soft and neutral, layering in fun through cushions, ceramics, and napery that can be easily switched with the seasons.

Lisa takes a similarly refined approach, letting her creamy hempcrete walls and limestone render set the tone for sculptural statement lighting and tactile details. Meanwhile, Bella and Julia both made their homes their own by playing with art, texture, and vibrant, story-filled décor.

Design for hosting

What’s the point of having a beautiful home if you don’t share it with the people you love? That’s a philosophy our Byron Bay Makers all have in common.

Everyone dreams of a long dining table to host dinner parties around, but it’s not the reality for most homes. Instead, try creating multiple “landing pads” for gathering wherever you can. A scattering of chairs and small tables (thoughtfully placed) can make your home feel instantly more inviting. Even a few fold-out chairs tucked away for when the guest list grows is a practical and welcoming touch.

The key to designing a home for hosting is prioritising comfort over perfection. Julia Ashwood’s kitchen bench is the social heart of her farmhouse (“The best conversations always happen around the kitchen bench”), and she’s known for her impromptu backyard barbecues – relaxed, unplanned, and full of life.

Wabi-sabi family proofing

If there’s one thing our Byron Bay Makers know, it’s that a home doesn’t need to be flawless to be beautiful. The Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi – finding beauty in imperfection – is second nature to this region’s design approach. Embrace wear and tear, let patina form, and prioritise function and feeling over polish.

Emily chose lots of recycled and second-hand furniture as she didn’t want her home to feel “precious or like a museum” – preferring a warm, lived-in, and functional feel for her young family. Julia Ashwood’s 150-year-old farmhouse wears its age proudly – weathered timber details, wide floorboards, and layered surfaces that reflect family life. Lisa built with natural materials that age gracefully – limestone render, terracotta, hempcrete – designed to develop character over time.

Contextual updates

When building, renovating, or making changes to your home, honouring the era it was built in – and the character of the area you live in – can create a sense of timelessness. Contextual design is an approach that responds to a building’s surroundings, considering physical, cultural, and historical elements. Think of it as enhancing rather than overhauling.

We see this attitude in Emily's restored 1960s coastal bungalow – a perfect example of updating a home with respect for its setting and original structure. She retained the low-slung profile and mid-century simplicity, allowing it to blend naturally into the beachside streetscape rather than dominate it.

Similarly, Julia and Lisa have both preserved the integrity of their respective farmhouses – Julia through her rustic décor, and Lisa through the use of natural materials and traditional craftsmanship in her renovation. Olive’s home, meanwhile, sits between the rainforest and the coastline; by embracing biophilic design principles, she’s created a space deeply connected to the Northern Rivers’ subtropical landscape.