When Nick Edwards and Amanda Hall decided to downsize, they realised they’d likely have to leave their beloved South Yarra neighbourhood of over 10 years… until Nick noticed a new Davies Henderson apartment building being built around the corner.

Turns out the developer was an old friend, and one of the apartments was yet to be sold. ‘We quickly came to the conclusion that this was the solution to a major dilemma: how to downsize in the neighbourhood that you love, without having to compromise on scale or amenity,’ says Amanda.

As the property was purchased before its completion, the couple were afforded some choice in the design of its finishes. The plan was to eventually cover the entire space in art, so they opted for a restrained and neutral interior scheme. ‘Apartments can be somewhat generic, but knowing we were to fill the walls with paintings made the move less challenging,’ Amanda says. ‘We knew we could impose ourselves on the building very quickly.’

Impose they did. Today there’s barely a surface in this home that isn’t covered with vibrant paintings, ceramics and sculpture! ‘The display of the artwork was like a giant jigsaw puzzle,’ says Amanda. ‘We are huge advocates for a tight, ‘French hang.’ The more eclectic the better. I don’t mind leaving them sitting on the floor either.’

Every few years the couple repaint, patch up the walls with half strength Dulux Dieskau, and start the art hanging process all over again, featuring new and old pieces. ‘We have collected art for a very long time and have never based a decision on where it might go; the work is the most important thing to us,’ explains Amanda. ‘There are just as many works in our collection in storage, or at our children’s homes, as there are on the walls in the apartment.’ 

If this is what downsizing looks like, sign us up! 

Yellow sofa by Jardan. Artworks by Bradd Westmoreland, Sampson Martin, Kate Shaw, Sam Martin, Chris O’Brien, Robert Owen, Emily Ferretti.  Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Nick Edwards and Amanda Hall in their living room. Large painting by  Emily Ferretti. Smaller painting by Tom Polo. Sculptures by Ryan Hancock and Brendan Huntley. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Art by Bradd Westmoreland, Sam Martin, Chris O’Brien, Robert Owen, Emily Ferretti. Furniture by Jardan.Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Turnip artwork by Benjamin Armstrong. Red chair by Jardan. Sculpture by Caleb Shea. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Hanging turnip artwork by Benjamin Armstrong. Exterior sculptures (left to right) by Caleb Shea and Brett Cohelio. Mirrored artwork by Alexandra Nemaric. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Sculpture by Fiona Taylor. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Paintings, left to right: David Griggs, Miridingkingathi Sally Gabori. Artworks on table: Benjamin Armstrong, Emily Flyod, Tony Garifalakis, Nicholas Mangan, Jon Campbell, Sanja Pahoki, Renee So, Richard Lewer, Walter Shwenen. Pendant lights from Mud. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Artworks, top to bottom: Amanda Hall, Julian Martin, Noel McKenna. Sculptures by Amanda Hall. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Paintings, left to right: David Griggs, Mirdidingkingathi Sally Gabori. Artworks on table: Benjamin Armstrong, Emily Flyod, Tony Garifalakis, Nicholas Mangan, Jon Campbell, Sanja Pahoki, Renee So, Richard Lewer, Walter Shwenen. Pendant lights from Mud. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Blue kitchen stools from Jardan. Artwork in kitchen by Bradd Westmoreland. Pendant lights from Mud. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Artworks, left to right: Trevelyan Clay, David Noonan, Karen Black, Pat Foster + Jen Berean. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

‘The Cyclist’ photo by Selina Ou. Artwork leaning against wall by Sharon Goodwin. Artwork on right Tim McMonagle. by Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Artworks top to bottom, left to right: Nadine Christensen, Bradd Westmoreland, Moya McKenna, Jeremy Eaton, Jake Walker + Dord Burrough. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Artwork by Ildaco Kovacs, Chris Bond, James Drinkwater, Tom Polo + Trevelyan Clay. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Pink painting by Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori. Magpie artwork by Miles Howard Wilkes. Artwork above bed by Tim McMonagle. Sculpture by Terry Williams. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Sculpture by Julia Gorman. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Artworks by Emily Ferretti. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.