'Sense of stillness': Casa Campana on the market with $4m price guide

Enveloped in lush greenery behind Cabarita Beach, just north of Byron Bay, Casa Campana is an enchanting home that is loved by all: those who were involved with its construction, those who have visited for events and photoshoots and, most importantly, those who proudly call it home — Sophie and Michael Bell and their two children Peppa, 3, and Hendrix, 6.

The couple bought the then-untouched rainforest block in January 2017; a little pocket that they would often drive past during weekend adventures traversing the many coastal delights of northern NSW.

As Sophie recalls, from the moment she set eyes on the site’s beautiful ferns and trees, it was love at first sight.

“We were previously living at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast and our area was only getting busier by the day, so we instantly felt drawn to the sense of stillness and space that this property radiated,” she says.

“I grew up in the country, so I found myself craving some land; this way our kids could grow up and experience the type of childhood I enjoyed.”

Sophie has a profound love for travel and says Casa Campana is inspired by the iconic white homes found throughout Italy and Greece, in particular the contrast of their white textured surfaces against rich green surroundings.

“I love the fact that when you first arrive, you don’t really know what’s coming, and once you’re inside, you feel like you’re in a treehouse as you can see the rainforest from every window and door,” she says.

“So many elements of our home are influenced by designer hotels we’ve visited in Greece, such as all the curves found throughout the build and in the arched windows, along with our pool pavilion and pizza oven area.”

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For the Bell family, the vision was to create an imperfectly perfect home – one where all finishes exhibit a handmade feel; an antidote to your typical shiny and modern residence.

The response to this brief is wonderfully visible throughout, achieved with the help of Three Birds Renovations and North Mac Constructions.  

“Our intention was to make everything feel like it could have been from many years ago,” Sophie says.

“The render is undulated, taps are tumbled brass and the kitchen island is hand-poured concrete.

“And while the bones of our house are very neutral – oak floorboards, white rendered walls and natural white concrete island – we added colour and fun through other means, from feature tiles and rugs to art and cushions.”

Given her innate artistry, Sophie has garnered a following of over 77,000 followers on Instagram, due to the photos she shares of the property’s idyllic lifestyle and for the creative projects she tackles so effortlessly.

But the talent doesn’t stop there, with other gifted family members adding their own touches to Casa Campana.

“Michael has made so many elements in our home, like our beautiful bed built into the wall [and] the kids and adult cubby spaces,” Sophie says.

“Plus he rendered all the walls inside the house, adding layers of interest to what would normally be flat surfaces.

“My mum is also the talented artist behind Min Ceramics, who not only painted custom art on our built-in headboards but also on many of the ceramics we have displayed everywhere.”

SOLD - $3,300,000

Nunderi NSW 2484

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While the blissful family life that they had imagined came to fruition during the past three years of living in Casa Campana, the couple is looking to the future for the next challenge that awaits them, making the decision to list the property on the market.

“We hope a beautiful family buys it and enjoys every inch of it just like we have,” Sophie says.

“And while our home seems like it’s in a world of its own surrounded by a sea of greenery, the actual sea is only ever 15 minutes away, as well as incredible cafes and restaurants, meaning you can truly get the best of both worlds.”

LS Properties’ Brent Savage is running an expressions of interest campaign with a guide of $4 million.