When Anna Mansfield messaged me the day before our interview asking if she could make us some lunch to share together, I thought it a wonderfully nice gesture.

Anna opened the door to her art deco apartment the next day, and welcomed me inside. Effortlessly dressed in green slides and loose shirt adorned with seashells and other interesting creatures, I instantly knew Anna was someone I wanted to get to know. I had heard she was a great cook and as we sat down to enjoy a salad she had made us, I regretfully remember thinking to myself ”how good can a salad be, really?”

Obviously I had never tried a salad made by Anna Mansfield.

. . .

Anna’s home already had undoubtedly good bones when she found it, with its white walls and wooden floors. However it’s the tastefully selected pieces of art that adorn the walls, the colourful design, cooking and travel books that are stacked up on the bookshelf and the cultivated pops of colour that litter the pillowslips, collector lamps and ceramic vases that really make this house feel like an extension of Anna herself.

And with that, it is an absolute delight to introduce you to Anna and her Potts Point home.

What does the word home mean to you?

It’s really changed a lot lately! I’ve always loved spending time at home, I can occupy myself for days and be completely content with not doing much at all. I don’t think I ever truly appreciated it though. But recently, with our enforced isolation, my home has really meant everything to me. It’s somewhere which has allowed me to just focus on myself and the things which make me feel good. Whether that’s cooking, listening to podcasts, doing pilates, reading or binge-watching multiple series, I’m more grateful than ever to have a home I love and one which is very much my own unique space.

Tell us a bit about how you came to find your apartment and what you were looking for in a home?

Well, I knew I wanted an art deco apartment with white walls, floorboards and lots of light like everyone else looking in this area! The inspection was absolutely teeming with people, I never thought I would get it. But somehow, I did! I moved in and have pinched myself daily since. I’ve never felt more at home anywhere.

What daily practises/routines do you implement at home?

There’s a lot of new ones which I’ve put in place since going into isolation! I’ve really come to appreciate slow mornings lately, so I’ve been loving the routine of that. I’m normally trying to blitz a smoothie whilst simultaneously ironing an outfit before rushing off to work, so taking things slow first thing has been really nice for me.

I wake up naturally with the light and enjoy a good hour in bed reading the news and aimlessly scrolling through Instagram with a tea. I’ve also been enjoying making myself overly complicated pour-over coffees because, hey, I’ve got the time!

I’ve also probably been exercising more than ever before. I’ve always seen exercise as something which is more for my mental health above anything else, and that has become even more apparent lately. I think I would’ve lost the plot weeks ago had it not been for my walks through the Botanic Gardens and afternoon pilates classes!

I always try and make dinner a bit of an event, too. I’ve really been going out of my way to make some extravagant meals for one, which I’ll have by candlelight with delicious wine. I’m pretty good at romancing myself these days!

What are your favourite spaces/comforts in your home?

I have a newfound appreciation of my couch at the moment with all the time I’m spending on it! Waking up in the morning to the city skyline is pretty special too. The sun rises behind my building so when it hits the city and reflects back, my apartment is bathed in this beautiful golden light. I love that time of the morning! Besides that, I love standing by the big window next to my dining table and watching all the dogs in the park opposite at sunset.

I make very good use of the kitchen, too. I love the big, original wrought iron windows and high stainless steel benches in there. I get a lot of satisfaction tending to that stainless steel!

How do you intentionally create a space or make decisions that make others feel welcome and at ease when they come into your home?

For me that’s an easy one – I feed them! I love having a fridge stocked with delicious things to eat and drink just in case anyone stops by. I get so much satisfaction from just being able to pull a snack or meal together for people from what I have at hand. I think people really appreciate that too. When you are hospitable in that way people instantly feel welcome.

In this current situation most people’s working life and home life have been forced together. How has that been for you?

It actually hasn’t changed my life that much! My work is intertwined with my life in the best possible way and was long before we all went into isolation. It’s one of the things I love most about my job, how much it compliments my lifestyle and vice versa. It really is a big part of me so working from my dining table instead of my desk is just another iteration of it. I’m very lucky in that respect.

Do you think it is important we are intentional about creating spaces of comfort to live in?

Yes, completely. Especially at the moment when home is everything! I do think your home naturally evolves though. You can’t help but have a big part of yourself in it!

What treasures or keepsakes do you have around home that tell a story or hold dear memories?

A lot of the furniture such as the dining table, drawers and armchair in my bedroom, have come from my parents and are pieces I grew up with, so they are really special to me for obvious reasons. I bought a lot of the art to celebrate various career achievements so looking at those pieces is always a nice reminder of how far I’ve come over the years. The ceramic Bitossi lamps were very lovely gifts from my ex and remind me of our time together every day. I also have an incredible handwritten book my grandma gave me a few years back which is full of her recipes from my childhood. It’s the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received.

Photography and Interview by Hannah Darkins - The Unfold