NewsBite

Inside Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s incredible Bayside home

PREPARE for walk-in-wardrobe, pool and ensuite envy. Take a look inside Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s stunning Melbourne home.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte with her children Harper, 4, and Hendrix, 2. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Natalie Bassingthwaighte with her children Harper, 4, and Hendrix, 2. Photo: Nikole Ramsay

NATALIE Bassingthwaighte has a confession to make: “I am forever changing the furniture around at home. Probably once a month I go crazy. I find it really therapeutic,” says the stylish Melbourne-based recording artist, actor, television personality and mother of two.

Bassingthwaighte has always been a doer, even when she was a child.

“Growing up, I was always doing something. Brownies, gymnastics, physical culture, ballroom dancing, singing, dancing, acting, hockey, netball and athletics. You name it, I tried it. School holidays were spent with my grandparents and my eldest sister travelling around Australia by caravan. It was a magical time of freedom and exploration,” she recalls of her childhood.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s Bayside home is to die for. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s Bayside home is to die for. Photo: Nikole Ramsay

Bassingthwaighte and her music producer husband Cameron McGlinchey live in a charming red-brick, Edwardian-style home in Melbourne’s Bayside area, which they bought back in 2013 and have since transformed into a contemporary yet classic family residence.

The stylish space features beautiful ornate ceilings, elegant chandeliers and masculine furnishings.

The dramatic front lounge room. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
The dramatic front lounge room. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
The main bedroom has a grey colour palette. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
The main bedroom has a grey colour palette. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Bedroom details. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Bedroom details. Photo: Nikole Ramsay

“I like to stick to a really neutral base colour palette — a lot of white, black and grey. I add pops of colour with cushions and accessories. That way when I get bored I change the cushions and it feels like new.”

One look at her chic dressing room and it’s no surprise that her wardrobe is one of her favourite spaces: “I had always wanted an open wardrobe that was more like a dressing room. It is really special and I always know where everything is!” she says.

Jealous! Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Jealous! Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Now that’s an ensuite. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Now that’s an ensuite. Photo: Nikole Ramsay

The couple has two adorable children: Harper, 4, and Hendrix, 2. How does she keep her home tidy with young kids?

“That is a hard one. I guess the best thing is to try and stay on top of it daily. If things are clean before you go to bed that seems to help. I try and teach my kids that it is fine to make a mess, but once they are finished with something, before they move on to the next thing, they should clean up first.”

Awesome cubby. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Awesome cubby. Photo: Nikole Ramsay

Bassingthwaighte works from a sleek home office, complete with a mini table and chairs set for Harper and Hendrix. She launched her clothing and accessories line Chi Khi (pronounced cheeky) earlier in the year and has just expanded into Chi Khi bare skin care.

“Chi Khi was inspired by my children in every way,” says Bassingthwaighte. “Harper hated anything that was too itchy or scratchy, as she would say! So comfort was key. And as a mum I wanted things to be uber stylish with practical elements.”

Her stylish home office features a table and chairs for the kids to play while she works. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Her stylish home office features a table and chairs for the kids to play while she works. Photo: Nikole Ramsay

It has been a big year for Bassingthwaighte who recently announced she won’t be returning to The X Factor Australia.

“I am enjoying my time on X Factor NZ and I am super excited about the future,” she tweeted. Bassingthwaighte replaced Natalia Kills on the New Zealand version of the reality singing show. “I have some exciting things in the pipeline that I can’t wait to share with you all,” she wrote.

On balancing her career with motherhood, Bassingthwaighte is pragmatic.

“Anything is possible if you set your mind to it. It helps to have a great support network, but it’s all about balance. I think it’s great for my kids to see us working and that we love what we do, but I also know my kids will grow up so fast, so I spend as much time with them as possible,” she says. Bassingthwaighte admits that at times, it’s hard to switch off from work.

“When it is your own business, you need to be switched on 24/7 and that is the same with being a mum. We try and have phones off between 5pm and 7pm so we can have dinner, bath and bedtime stories with no interruptions. I work throughout the day, but it is often easier to get my emailing done after 8pm when the kids are asleep,” she says.

It would be hard to work away from these adorable faces. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
It would be hard to work away from these adorable faces. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
The picture perfect pool area. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
The picture perfect pool area. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Home is clearly where Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s heart is. Photo: Nikole Ramsay
Home is clearly where Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s heart is. Photo: Nikole Ramsay

Words: Georgie Abay from The Grace Tales Photography: Nikole Ramsay Makeup: Amy Harrison Hair: Jacky Chan from Oscar Oscar Salons Chadstone.

Originally published as Inside Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s incredible Bayside home

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/inside-natalie-bassingthwaightes-incredible-bayside-home/news-story/9579e6830201f9fc2f40fe2c68f109b3