Personal Space: At home with fashion designer and author Alannah Hill

Australian fashion designer and author Alannah Hill has just released her second book The Handbag of Happiness – a nod to past and present relationships where love and other catastrophes saw her spend plenty of time sweating the small stuff.

It follows the success of Hill’s debut, soul-baring memoir Butterfly on a Pin.

She lives in a 1930s penthouse apartment in St Kilda, which she shares with her son Edward.

Inside, you’ll find draped velvets and the fabric used on cushions and furniture, French chandeliers curated as art pieces and dark floral wallpapered walls, all of which nod to her Florentine and French obsessions.

“I am a connoisseur of a Hollywood faded glamour style,” Hill says. “The touch of deep, rich furnishings, the drama of a Marie Antoinette-style sherbet velvet couch against another Marie Antoinette grape velvet couch and a flamboyant fabulous excessive chandelier is my style.

“I love anything that’s opulent and ornamental.”

The three-bedroom apartment comes with an office and sunroom, a communal backyard for its six residents and an outdoor stables area that is for sharing. The home is a private haven.

“I have never enjoyed entertaining, much to my son Ed’s discomfort,” Hill says.

A few of Alannah’s favourite things …

Antique desk

I bought this 1920s Victorian hand-painted cabinet – with a matching hand-painted writing desk – the day I received my first bonus cheque as head girl at Alannah Hill. I’ve lost the key to it now, and know there are precious ornaments in there and tiny ageing envelopes containing Edward’s hair when he was aged six to 12, and his baby teeth.

The bed

I bought this from Jean Pierre Heurteau Design 10 years ago. I love looking at a well-made bed – I find it very Florentine. Looking at glamorous cushions and sheets can be very calming. I am an early riser, at 5.30am, so I don’t linger there. I make my bed as soon as I wake up.

Books: Butterfly on a Pin and The Handbag of Happiness

I keep my books on display for a sense of achievement, but often find myself turning the covers over as I don’t want to be reminded either. They sit alongside my Woman of the Year trophy; it’s like a shrine to the past.

Roses wallpaper

I discovered this floral bouquet wallpaper online at Wallpapers For Beginners and did this during lockdown. The walls were dreary, flat and bereft of texture and colour. My boyfriend Hugo helped me – I climbed a ladder and matched up the roses. I love wallpaper; it gives a wall a frock to wear.

Jack the dog

I treat my dog like a baby. I bought him for my son around 11 years ago and didn’t really want him, but have fallen deeply in love with caring for him. He’s turned into my anchor, and I urge all women with teens to get one – that way someone is really pleased to see you when you get home.

Mirrored Italian cabinet

I bought this cabinet over 25 years ago and have used it as a room divider. I love that it looks like an antique from the distance. I put big plants on it too and I am always moving furniture around.

Casio organ

I’ve always wanted to play a musical instrument and be able to do more than Silent Night on the recorder. I bought this from Facebook Marketplace a few months ago. You can turn this on and it’s like you’ve got an orchestra at your fingertips.