Peek inside Fiona Edwards Bassingthwaighte’s Isle of Sorrento home
Fashion blogger and mum-of-three, Fiona Edwards Bassingthwaite, take us behind the scenes of her busy, and beautifully Instagram-worthy, Isle of Sorrento home.
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WALKING into the inviting Isle of Sorrento residence of the fifideluxe blogger, it’s clear style is an innate trait of the local beauty.
Mother to three gorgeous children, Addison, 5, Jack, 2, and seven-month-old Raffaelle (inset), Fiona Edwards Bassingthwaighte runs a successful fashion importing and retail business with mum Janine, and still manages to maintain her home to perfection.
“Managing the family and making sure everyone is happy is a huge job, then every other minute I’m working in the business or late at night on my blog,” Fiona says.
The palette of the five bedroom, two-storey, waterfront property is muted and minimalist, with shades of cream, lavender and washed grey, similar to the effortless images of her popular blog and accompanying Instagram. “I love a blank canvas,” she says.
“The key pieces in our home are pretty timeless. I definitely make bolder fashion choices, but my home brings me back to neutral at the end of the day with its simplicity.”
A mix of Hamptons and French Provincial design aesthetics, Fiona punctuates her space with glamorous Hollywood touches.
“I have always adored these French Provincial style chairs — a printed cushion and luxurious fur adds texture and interest. And I adore marble,” she explains. Splitting her time between the Gold Coast and husband Andrew’s cattle property near Roma, life with the kids is a delightful mix of city and country.
“We have a playroom full of toys, but the kids always want to be with us so it can turn into a bit of a childcare centre at times,” says Fiona.
There’s certainly no evidence of child’s play on the beautifully whitewashed timber floorboards, elegantly arranged coffee-table vignette or clutter-free benchtops. Though Fiona admits the plush sofas have been reupholstered to hide tiny fingerprints.
“The Hamptons-style couches have been in the family for over 20 years. Mum gave them to me in a pristine ivory white,” says Fiona. “They were so stunning but totally impractical with the kids so I had them covered in a neutral stone colour which is more realistic for us at the moment.”
The sunken living room flows through to the back deck and frames a grand old Poinciana tree and yard where cattle dog “Blackie” likes to explore.
Having added another room upstairs, and successfully transforming the original cherry red floorboards in the living room to a bleached, chalky white, Fiona and Andrew have more renovations in the pipeline.
“It came to me one night to create a walk-in robe, shoe wall, office and little studio upstairs for product shoots and flat lays for my blog. A creative space with white walls is essential for ideas and creativity to flow. I can’t wait to use it when it’s finished.”
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