A LOCAL’S GUIDE TO BYRON: Mel Gubbin / Avenue Twenty Two
AT THE BOWER WE LOVE LOCAL - LOCAL SUPPLIERS, LOCAL PRODUCE, LOCAL TALENT AND ESPECIALLY LOCAL INTEL. IT'S THE BEST INTEL TO HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO KNOWING THE 'NOW' PLACES TO EAT, SHOP AND PLAY AND TO GET THE LOWDOWN ON SOME SECRET SQUIRREL STUFF AS WELL.
Mel Gubbin, Byron local and owner/creative behind design and project management company Avenue Twenty Two, was happy to share her insights on Byron, as well as her transition from casual after-hours designer to heading up her own business just 12 months ago. It was a giant step from working after hours with a handful of clients to creating the most beautiful interiors for internationally renowned Spell & the Gypsy Collective in their Byron boutique and new Spell HQ. Her work has now been seen in Vogue, Real Living and more, with the stunning Spell boutique interiors, their aged timber beams, whitewashed walls and feather chandeliers creating a frenzy on IG.
Her aesthetic has so much in common with The Bower. Her love for beautiful reclaimed timbers, natural materials with their imperfect beauty, traditional handcrafts, vintage pieces, soft textiles and aged leather. She loves spaces that are open plan with communal living areas as well as hidden nooks to retreat to solo for a bit of quiet time. She calls it curated Wasi-Sabi, which is a centuries old Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection. It’s exactly how French interiors magazine HOME described The Bower Barn.
She loves Byron’s strong sense of community and how a free day can move from an early morning callout for a quick coffee catch-up into beach swims followed by an impromptu BBQ then a few drinks as the sun goes down. She loves travel, fashion, design and architecture as well as the smaller and simple things in life – a cup of tea on the beach, cuddles with her pup and chipping away at her own house renovation.
She’s laid back, stylish, creative, a sucker for a salty sunshine session and has a great tongue-in-cheek sense of humour. She recently posted a turn-back-time pic of herself wearing a beautifully detailed Spell dress with the caption “a world away from the three day old top knot and steel-cap boots I’m actually sporting today.”
She’s a Bower kind of girl. Why not get to know her and Byron better at the same time….
Tell us about Avenue Twenty Two:
I called my business Avenue Twenty Two as my services don’t fall tidily under one title. I really wanted to create a ‘brand' rather than just a one- stop business title, so my business has the potential to develop with me without the restriction of labels.
I’ve never had any formal training so find it very hard to give myself any kind of title although some of my friends would call me a professional control freak - one of my strengths and weaknesses I guess! I’ve undertaken Project Management (organising trades, timelines, budgets, council and safety guidelines, schedules etc) as well as Design Development at the planning stages alongside Architects and Builders. Then there’s the more traditional role of Interior Design development, creating the aesthetic vision, organising/sourcing samples and refining finishes for spaces. Then all the shopping and styling….
Managing the transformation of a rundown empty commercial space into Spell HQ, a fresh, functional and new-age office space with bespoke desks, drapery, chairs and stools, gave me the confidence to jump into my business full time instead of consulting freelance, out of hours, around my full time PA job.
Since then, I’ve worked on some special residential properties, one of which was the beautifully eclectic home of one half of Spell, Isabella & Dougall Pennefather’s family home (Four Palms, Byron Bay). They gave me the freedom to really play up some statement areas with bold features and finishes. Hello pink bathroom and glorious custom-rendered, Mexican inspired fireplace wall!
Currently I’m working on a few other great residential properties around the Byron area, as well as a very exciting new large private-hire property, The Beach House East Coast. It’s located in East Ballina and is the sister project to The Farm Byron Bay. It’s an ode to European beach clubs with organic textures, a clean and natural palette, and the fusion of Pinterest-worthy picture opportunities (cue crazy paved entry, rattan lined ceilings, soft rendered walls, and timber detailing throughout), mixed with the perfect base to make your own styling mark during an event at the site.
How long have you been a Byron local?
I moved to the area in 2014 from Adelaide, South Australia for a big sea change and to look for an environment that nourished my lifestyle choices. To date, it is one of the best decisions I've ever made!
What drew you to the area and what do you love about living here?
I was instantly drawn to the possibilities of living beside the ocean and the mild Winters and long Summer days. One day, after visiting the place for more than 10 years to see friends (and overstay our welcome), my fiancé and I decided to take the leap to make a home for ourselves here, as it really was/is our happy place.
How has Byron influenced your style and lifestyle?
My lifestyle has changed from that of pre-planned outings and organised calendars in Adelaide, to social spontaneity and free flowing weekends. The communities here are so small and I love having a group of friends so close by that you can really make plans day, by day. Just seems to be far less hassle than living in a big city.
And my personal style was definitely more polished in Adelaide. I’ve now adopted the more relaxed Byron dress code. If you’d asked me 5 years ago to wear Birkenstocks I wouldn’t have known what you were talking about!
IN BYRON, YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE FOR...
Brunch? TopShop for a "Brekkie Burger" on the grass.
Healthy takeaway? Bay Leaf - salad on the go.
A not-so-healthy but super tasty meal? Give me all the jalapeños poppers and nachos at Miss Margarita’s!
Fancy dinner? Raes on Wategos.
A cocktail or two? St Elmos for an intimate cocktail catch up.
Date night? Milk and Honey in Mullumbimby, otherwise you will find me with a takeaway burger and chips near the water.
WHERE DO YOU GO TO...
Get your hair done? My most amazing Hair guru, Bree Avalon who has the best little set up in the hinterland.
Find a last-minute outfit? Spell & the Gypsy Collective.
Prep for a party? Skin Divinity
Get your nails and pampering done? Nail Innovations for a shellac, and Be Waxed and Tanned to get all silky and bronzed.
Buy something for your home? Love treats from We are Pampa and Tigmi Trading.
Listen to good music? The Brunswick Heads Pub.
Pick up your favourite market finds? A morning trip up to Burleigh to visit The Village Markets and grab brunch afterwards is well worth the trip.
Otherwise fresh veggies and huge bunches of herbs from the New Brighton Farmers markets on a Tuesday morning before work (I can ride my bike - perfect!)
Get out of Byron for a day trip. Take a quick trip inland to Federal’s Doma Cafe then hunt out a new waterfall or little walking trail.
THE BEST...
Coffee spot and what to order. Jones & Co in Brunswick heads is my daily coffee shop - large skinny latte in a keep cup, sometimes accompanied by a cheeky bagel.
Bar for a Sunday session. The Treehouse on Belongil - comfy couches for the Sunday win.
Places to eat with the girls. The Mez Club - tapas and happy hour!
Gyms/fitness studios. The Corner pilates studio (near my house, small class sizes and far less busy than town).
Outdoor places to workout. My favourite is just straight out the front of home along the beach - the Lighthouse is always a good pick though if you want to combine some whale watching and socialising (because you will always run into someone whilst you are all hot and sweaty).
Local beach. South Golden Beach.
Your travel destinations of choice. Tricky one, depends on the season and the type of holiday I am after - active, foodie or relaxation…. One of my favourite cities I have ever been to is New York - I’d love to get back to the US next year and maybe sneak in a little stop in Hawaii on the way to get in holiday mode.
Ultimate travel destination? I would loooove to get to the Amalfi Coast for their peak Summer season, rent a few local houses and just immerse myself in the culture for a few months, one year.
Next Australian travel destination? I am actually sitting on a plane answering these questions on the way back from my first trip to Tasmania. Such a beautiful part of Australia, I was lucky enough to head down for a friend's wedding and will definitely head back down again for some more adventures.
Next overseas travel destination? LA for work next year.
Finish this sentence. You know you’re a Byron local when… you refuse to drive into town between 10am - 1pm on a warm day due to traffic and parking torture.
Something only a Byron local would know…. the back track to the lighthouse walk, bye bye tourist crowds. Oh and that the Brunswick river on high tide is one of the dreamiest places to get on the water for a paddle board or float.
Your best tip for someone holidaying in Byron. Stay long enough to to be able to seek out hidden beaches and truly slip into relaxation mode. Byron is best enjoyed when you are not in a rush.
A quintessential Byron outfit that you should pack for your holiday… Swimmers, sunnies, hat, denim cutoffs and something made from linen. Sorted.
