Baina — Exclusive Interview
At home with CEO & Creative Director Bailey Meredith
On our recent trip to Sydney, we caught up with our long-time friend Bailey Meredith, CEO & Creative Director of BAINA. Known for its considered approach to the bathing space, BAINA brings a thoughtful perspective to the everyday objects we live with and the rituals embedded inside them.
We spent an afternoon speaking with Bailey, at her apartment in Kensington (alongside her gorgeous friend Gruff), about her design philosophies, her bathroom essentials, and the small details that make a place feel like home.
Tell us about your apartment and your favourite moments in here.
We’ve been in this apartment for three years now, which is most of our time in Sydney. My favourite moments are often the simplest: sitting around the dining table with friends, or unwinding after a busy day while Ali cooks in the kitchen. It’s our way of reconnecting at the end of the day.
What is your decorating philosophy?
It has evolved as I’ve gotten older, but at its heart my philosophy is to layer slowly. I love how a single new piece can completely change the feel of a space. That ongoing evolution is what I love most about our home. No room is a single moment in time; each one is a story that keeps unfolding.
What was the most recent thing you bought that is giving you deep joy?
An art deco trolley that we now use as a bar cart. It has become the centrepiece of a little Friday night ritual: making what we call our “house martinis.”
Can you tell us about having two homes (a Sydney apartment and a retreat in Mt Wilson) into which you can inject your design personality?
It took me a while to realise it, but you have to design for the space: its era, its architecture, its surroundings. It’s not only about the individual pieces but the environment they live in. With Mount Wilson, I’ve let the setting guide me. Some of the aesthetics I’m drawn to suit that home, while others are better suited to the apartment, and I’ve learnt to let each place lead.
Can you describe a regular working day with your team?
No two days are the same. I try to strike a balance between connection and collaboration on one hand, and autonomy on the other. We have an incredible team, and our nomadic set-up, with people across Australia and New Zealand, has never held us back.
Can you tell us about your last campaign shoot in France?
We were lucky enough to shoot at Maison Louis Carré, designed by Alvar Aalto. The house is beautifully preserved and set in the most magical countryside. Sometimes the highlights happen around the shoot itself. On this one, a charming local chef prepared lunch in the residence’s kitchen and set us up outside in the sunshine. It felt a little surreal, to be honest.
How does living with a pet soften your everyday?
Gruff brings a gentleness to our days that I didn’t know we needed. He’s the perfect reason to start each morning with a walk, a quiet moment before the day takes over, and he has a way of keeping us present. He’s part of us, and has woven himself seamlessly into our lives.
Can you share your bathroom essentials?
For me, a bathroom needs to feel inviting, warm and unpretentious: a place where I can be myself and want to linger. My essentials:
— Soft lighting, however you can achieve it. For us, it’s candles.
— A big, glorious tub.
— A side table or stool to perch a glass of water, or wine, depending on the day.
— A good bath additive, something that transports the mind.
— And most importantly, a generous bath sheet to envelop me afterwards.
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