The Design Files: Interior designer and stylist Louella Boitel-Gill lives in a real-life tree house

Who: Louella Boitel-Gill, stylist and interior designer

Where: Avalon Beach, NSW

What: A unique family home perched in the treetops

Interior designer and stylist Louella Boitel-Gill lives in a real-life tree house. Perched high above street level, with breathtaking views of Pittwater on Sydney’s northern beaches, this is one truly unique family home.

Listen to Bob’s story about living in a tree house Somewhere Else:

Boitel-Gill shares her much-loved and multi-layered home with daughters Chilli, 12, and Indi, 11, and their ragdoll cat.

Boitel-Gill was searching for modernist, mid-century and architect-designed properties and came across this ultimate pad in Avalon Beach.

The home was designed in the late 1960s by Robb Fotheringham, and bears some reference to Japanese architecture, with its rustic simplicity and extensive use of timber throughout.

It requires a serious hike to get to the front door, but Boitel-Gill says, “You have the loveliest view of Pittwater, and you’re right up in the trees with all the birds.

“Despite the steep site, and the many stairs to climb to get to the front door, we love living here, and we love waking up in a house that’s up in the trees, surrounded by chatty bird life,” she enthuses.

The original home was later extended by local architect Ray Gill, and needed no renovations or updates when Boitel-Gill moved in.

Though she’s renting her home, the designer has added personality and colour through the thoughtful introduction of treasured artworks and textiles.

As an interior designer and respected stylist, Boitel-Gill has a whole swag of knowledge about key pieces and design movements but she highlights her Spanish chairs by Borge Mogensen as favourite personal pieces.

“Not only are they beautiful, they’re ridiculously comfortable too,” she says.

Boitel-Gill describes her aesthetic as a “thoughtful mix of timber and neutrals, with splashes of colour in layers, so the background palette of the house makes for an easy canvas to work with”.

You wouldn’t think it, but Louella Boitel-Gill’s richly-layered home is a rental. Imbued with character, the home feels highly personal and full of life.

Consider the following to add personal flourishes to any space – permanent or temporary:

• Invest in minor improvements – Don’t be afraid to ask permission to make minor cosmetic changes to your rental, such as updating light fittings, or painting a front fence. Depending on the type of work required, the landlord may require the use of a qualified trade person.
• Banish bare walls – enliven white walls with artwork, prints and treasured ephemera. Relaxed rental laws now enable picture hooks to be used in most residential rentals (however, you do need to seek permission). Failing this, 3M sticky hooks are effective for hanging lightweight paintings.
• Floor coverings – you may not be able to change wall colours or flooring, but a beautiful rug can completely transform a room. Try Armadillo and Co for handcrafted, neutral designs that won’t date.