Tell us a bit about you!
I’m a wife to my fabulous husband Mitch, mum to our two gorgeous children, Matilda (Tilly), 13, and Bob, 12, and a lifestyle and residential real estate agent with Bayleys Cambridge, where I’ve been for the past six years.
My journey to Cambridge is perhaps a little unexpected! In 2008, I left my hometown of the Gold Coast, Australia, and headed to London to further my teaching career and satisfy my love of travel. Six months into that adventure, I met Mitch, a born and bred, third-generation Cambridge local, and as they say, the rest is history!
After a few more years of teaching, I found my way into marketing, which I absolutely loved. Having always had a passion for beautiful homes, architecture and interiors, combining my marketing background with property felt like a natural progression. Real estate has become the perfect blend of everything I enjoy: beautiful properties, creative marketing and, most importantly, people.
Mitch and I have always shared a passion for property and design. In fact, the home we’re living in today is our seventh renovation or new build that we’ve called home together! Each project has been an opportunity to create something different, and along the way, we’ve developed a genuine appreciation for thoughtful design and the way a home can shape how we live.
I’m naturally ambitious and genuinely love what I do, but outside of work, family and friends are everything. We’ve created a wonderful life here in Cambridge, and I feel incredibly fortunate that a chance meeting on the other side of the world led me to call this beautiful little town home.
What does a life well lived look like to you? Has your idea of this changed over the years?
For me, a life well lived is about the people you share it with and the memories you create along the way. Mitch and I work incredibly hard to build a life we love, and as I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that it’s the experiences rather than the possessions that bring the greatest happiness. Don’t get me wrong, I do love beautiful things and I’m certainly partial to a little luxury!
Travel is very high on our list of family values. We love exploring new places, experiencing different cultures and showing our children the world. I think travel gives you perspective, inspires you and creates memories that stay with you forever. We particularly love travelling with friends and feel incredibly fortunate to have already ticked off so many bucket list experiences alongside some of our nearest and dearest.
Equally, some of my happiest moments are right here at home, with everyone simply enjoying being together. As I’ve grown older, I’ve also come to appreciate the beauty in everyday moments. Taking the time to sit and genuinely enjoy a morning coffee rather than rushing through it, putting my phone away at the dinner table and being completely present with my family. In a world where we’re all so busy and constantly connected, I think those little moments of slowing down are incredibly important.
I’m still ambitious and driven, but my perspective has evolved. These days, success is as much about enjoying the journey and the life you’re creating along the way as it is about reaching the destination. Good health, wonderful people, fabulous experiences and plenty of laughter. That’s what really matters to me.
You spend much of your working life helping people find their next home. What does home mean to you personally and what’s the most rewarding part of the job?
To me, home is so much more than four walls and a roof. It’s your sanctuary, the place where you can close the door on the outside world, truly be yourself and feel completely at ease. It’s where life unfolds, memories are created and the people you love come together.
One of the things I’ve learnt throughout my career is that not every property move is about finding a bigger, better or more beautiful home. Sometimes it’s a sideways move, sometimes it’s a fresh start, and sometimes it’s a decision brought about by circumstances beyond someone’s control. Financial pressures, relationship changes or simply navigating a difficult chapter in life can all be reasons people find themselves needing to move.
And that’s what I find so rewarding about my job. I get to work with people, understand their individual circumstances and help them find solutions. I genuinely enjoy problem-solving, navigating the inevitable speed humps and being someone my clients can trust and lean on throughout what can sometimes be an emotional or stressful process.
Of course, there are those wonderful moments when someone falls completely in love with a property and you can see them imagining their future there. But equally rewarding is helping someone navigate a challenging situation and come out the other side feeling positive about their next chapter. Ultimately, it’s never just about the property or the transaction. It’s about the people, their stories and helping them move forward, whatever that next chapter might look like.
How would you describe your own personal style and aesthetic? Are there particular places, people or periods that have shaped your taste?
I’d describe my style as timeless with a contemporary twist, always with room for something a little unexpected or a fabulous pop of colour. I love beautiful fabrics, interesting textures, sculptural shapes and pieces with personality. I’m drawn to classic foundations, but I think every space needs a little something that makes you look twice.
Travel has definitely shaped my taste. Our current home draws quite heavily on French architecture and design, with natural stone, warm timbers, curved walls and 3.2m ceilings finished with hand-sketched French-inspired coving. I love the elegance of those traditional details alongside more contemporary pieces. It’s that contrast that makes a space feel interesting and personal.
Mitch and I also love collecting special pieces when we travel. There’s something wonderful about bringing home an object that reminds you of a particular place, experience or moment in time. Those pieces become part of your story, and I think that’s what gives a home its soul. I’m not someone who believes everything needs to match perfectly. I love mixing different styles, eras and textures, and sometimes it’s the slightly unexpected combinations that work the best.
For me, good style isn’t about following trends. It’s about knowing what you love and having the confidence to embrace it. Although, I must admit, I’m also rather partial to a fabulous matching outfit and a good lippy!
What does your own home look and feel like? Is there a particular room or corner you’re most drawn to?
Our home is very much a reflection of us. Mitch and I designed and built it together, and while we wanted something beautiful, it was equally important to create a home that worked for the way our family lives.
Over the years, every home we’ve designed, built or renovated has evolved alongside us, reflecting the children’s ages and stages, our changing priorities and, of course, our budget at the time! What works beautifully for one chapter of your life can look quite different in the next.
We’re a very social family and absolutely love having people over. One of my greatest joys is having Tilly, Bob and all their friends at home. I love the noise, the laughter and the constant stream of kids coming and going, usually in and out of the pool! There’s something really special about creating a home where everyone feels comfortable and, more importantly, wants to be.
We were quite strategic with the layout, though. As much as we love having a house full of people, we’re also rather fond of having a dedicated parents’ wing and kids’ wing! The main living pavilion connects the two and is where everyone naturally comes together. Our kitchen and living spaces are definitely the heart of the home. Whether it’s the kids gathered around the kitchen island, a quiet morning coffee or a fabulous evening entertaining friends, it’s where we spend most of our time.
I adore beautiful interiors and thoughtful design, but I never want our home to feel too precious to live in. To me, a house is only truly beautiful when it’s full of life.
Are you someone who loves a project, or do you prefer a home that feels finished and settled? Has your experience with renovations and new builds influenced the way you approach your own spaces?
Oh, I absolutely love a project! I think it’s fair to say Mitch and I have a bit of a habit of dreaming up the next one.
There’s something incredibly exciting about seeing potential in a property, imagining what it could become and then watching those ideas come to life. I love the entire creative process, from the initial sketches and choosing materials to those final finishing touches that give a home its personality.
Over the years, I’ve learnt that beautiful design is about so much more than aesthetics. It’s about understanding how people live, how spaces connect and finding that balance between something that looks fabulous and something that genuinely works.
We’re incredibly happy in our current home, and for now, I have no desire to leave it. However, I can feel that creative itch returning! At the moment, I’m satisfying it through the design of some property developments we’re working on, which I’m absolutely loving. But knowing us, there will always be another idea bubbling away.
Watch this space…
Is there a piece of furniture, an artwork or an object in your home that holds a particularly special story?
One of my most treasured pieces is a vintage Moët & Chandon Champagne bucket, sourced in France and gifted to me for a special birthday by some very dear friends. It has pride of place on the shelves in our bar, and I absolutely adore it! It’s beautifully French, full of character and, let’s be honest, a Champagne bucket was always going to find a happy home with me!
But what makes it truly special is the sentiment behind it. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of the wonderful friendships we’re so fortunate to have.
I love filling our home with pieces that tell a story, whether they’re treasures collected on our travels or thoughtful gifts from people we love. For me, the most beautiful things aren’t necessarily the most expensive. They’re the ones that hold a memory or remind you of someone special.
What do you think people are really looking for when they say they want to find their dream home? What questions do you ask them to unlock their desires?
I think people are ultimately looking for a feeling. That wonderful moment when you walk into a property and can instantly imagine yourself living there.
Of course, there’s always a checklist. The right location, number of bedrooms, layout and budget. But I think the real magic happens when you start talking about how people actually want to live.
I love asking buyers about their lifestyle. Are they entertainers who want a house full of friends? Do they have children who need space to grow? Are they craving a peaceful retreat at the end of a busy day, or perhaps looking for a home that gives them a little more freedom and less responsibility?
That’s what makes property so interesting. Sometimes people arrive with a very specific idea of their dream home, only to fall completely in love with something they never expected. I think the best homes aren’t necessarily the ones that tick every box. They’re the ones that just feel right.
The end of the year is inbound. What are you most looking forward to for the holiday period?
I’m really looking forward to some wonderful family time with Mitch, Tilly and Bob.
We would usually spend our summer holidays between the Gold Coast and Mount Maunganui, but this year we’re swapping sunshine and sandy beaches for a family adventure through Asia! We’ll be spending Christmas in Hong Kong before heading to Japan to take the kids skiing.
We’re travelling with some wonderful friends and meeting up with others along the way, which makes it even more special. We’re a family who love good food, adventure and great company, so I have a feeling this trip will deliver plenty of all three!
Life is wonderfully busy, so having the opportunity to enjoy new experiences, be spontaneous and make some fabulous memories together is something I really treasure. And while I absolutely love travelling, there’s always something special about coming home to Cambridge afterwards. It’s a pretty wonderful place to call home.
Your love for entertaining has cropped up a couple of times now! What does your ideal gathering look like, and what makes guests feel genuinely welcome?
I love any excuse to bring our favourite people together, and there’s nothing better than a house full of good company, delicious food and plenty of laughter.
I adore setting a beautiful table, filling the house with fresh flowers and making sure there’s something fabulous in everyone’s glass. I love all those little details that make an occasion feel special, but I’m certainly not one for anything too formal or fussy. For me, the secret to good entertaining is making people feel completely at ease. I want our guests to feel as comfortable helping themselves to another glass of Champagne as they do settling in for a long lunch that somehow turns into dinner!
Some of our best gatherings are the spontaneous ones, when everyone ends up around the kitchen island, the conversation flows and nobody’s in a hurry to leave. A beautifully set table is wonderful, but it’s the people sitting around it who make the occasion memorable.
If you could invite anyone, living or from history, to join you for a long lunch at home, who would it be, what would you serve, and what would you most want to ask them?
With so much of my family living in Australia, along with many of my dearest friends, my dream long lunch would be an excuse to bring all the special women in my life together around one table.
My Nana would absolutely be the queen bee, holding court at the head of the table. Both Nana and my mum are incredible cooks and hosts, so I think my love of entertaining has very much been passed down through the generations. And I’d give anything to have one more cup of tea with my beautiful Grandma, who we lost last year.
There would be plenty of French Champagne, beautiful fresh prawns and Moreton Bay bugs, lots of laughter and undoubtedly a few tears. I’d love to hear the stories we haven’t yet shared, ask the questions we never quite got around to asking and simply soak up every moment of having everyone together. I think as you get older, you realise that the greatest luxury in life isn’t necessarily the beautiful things, but having the people you love all in one place, with nowhere else they need to be.
Quick Fire
A piece of advice that has stayed with you?
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”
I’ve always had a strong sense of fairness, and I’m certainly not one to turn a blind eye when something isn’t right. I believe in doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest option.
Favourite Cambridge coffee spot?
I’m sneaking slightly outside Cambridge for this one! Punnet in Tamahere is a firm favourite. A small flat white or piccolo, depending on the mood.
Favourite Cambridge aperitivo?
Alpino is my all time fav. A Hugo Spritz or a beautiful glass of French Champagne, preferably with fabulous company!
Favourite Cambridge pastime?
A morning walk, a fabulous coffee and bumping into familiar faces along the way. I love that wonderful small-town sense of community.
A destination you’d consider your spirit place for style?
Capri, Italy, without a doubt! We visited for a special birthday in 2024, and I fell completely in love. The sunshine, vibrant colours, beautiful architecture and effortless Italian glamour. Sophisticated, playful and wonderfully glamorous!
Something you believe is always worth investing in?
Experiences and memories with the people you love. And when it comes to beautiful things, I’m definitely a quality-over-quantity girl. I’d much rather save for one fabulous designer piece I’ll treasure for years than buy five things I don’t absolutely love.
What does good taste mean to you?
Knowing what you love and having the confidence to embrace it. I appreciate beautiful craftsmanship, timeless design and pieces with personality. I’m certainly not afraid of a designer label, but true style is about how you put things together, not simply what they cost.
On your Leven wishlist at the moment?
The Ferm Living Verso Table Vase in Cream. I adore its sculptural shape and timeless design. It’s a beautiful statement piece, with or without flowers.
