Arabella, we adored the shoot at Cantara & your gorgeous family both two & four legged. We’ve known you for a long time but please tell our followers a little about your very clever self? 

"I grew up in Stirling, the youngest of four sisters, in an old home with a large garden of English box hedges, Lilly of the Valley, Hydrangeas and Rhododendrons. I was passionate about horses right from the beginning and I rode from an early age as well as spending endless hours drawing them (so much so that my art teacher at school banned me from drawing horses!). We spent weekends and school holidays at our farm, Cantara, surrounded by cattle and horses and the beautiful Fleurieu coastline."

Your family’s iconic Bleak House Wuthering Heights ‘Cantara’ coastal home has such history and charm. How has it shaped your upbringing and do you find any elements of your family’s legacy influencing your current life? 

"Growing up in a place like Cantara created an idyllic childhood and a love of the outdoors and animals. I am incredibly fortunate to have a small slice of coastal land that doubles as a farm and beach house. Despite so much growth in the area, it has retained its sense of isolation but in reality it is so close to all the amenities. It is a small and simple home… the house is heated almost entirely by one enormous fireplace, internet is haphazard and phone coverage unreliable… so we take our entertainment ques from the 80’s  – think DVDs, boardgames, never-ending books and farms jobs during the day."

You’ve had a fascinating career as a solicitor - what inspired you to pursue law and how do you balance that with your personal life? 

"My real passion at school was art, but I was encouraged to study Law & Commerce at University and the skills I developed as a commercial lawyer have lead me to some wonderful opportunities outside of legal practice. In recent years I have sat on numerous boards which have allowed me to use my professional skills to make a contribution to social, community and health focused organisations. I think I was somewhat earnest in my early years of legal practice but I eventually learnt that a balance is critical. I had largely given up riding during my university years, so with my first paycheque I bought a new horse and some years later I took up regular running with girlfriends which saw us head to New York for the marathon in 2023."

As someone who enjoys riding, how do you incorporate this passion into your weekly routine? Can you share any memorable riding experiencesor places you love to ride? 

"I aim to work my gorgeous mare, Delphi,  twice a week where possible as well as my son’s Shetland/Welsh pony, Nugget (aka ‘The Terrorist’). I trail ride though the spectacular Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu with a gorgeous group of like-minded girlfriends (my ‘barn friends’ as they would say in the US ha ha). Probably the most memorable riding experience was riding through Hyde Park in London many years ago. The traffic was chaotic but the horses were incredibly well behaved. It was an unforgettable experience. I’d love to hunt in Ireland but I don’t think I’m brave enough! I think I’d need plenty of Champagne beforehand…"

Growing up, you’ve likely had a variety of influences in your life. Who are some of the most important people or experiences that have shaped your sense of style or personal aesthetic? 

"I never forget my first trip to Italy at the age of 15. I was just in awe of how stylish everyone was, but in such an effortless way. It didn’t matter if they were cycling to work, driving a bus or serving coffee – it’s like they have an innate ability to put things together in a beautiful way with minimal effort. My Mother has a wonderful eye for clothes and decorating – as did my dear late Aunty Ro who shared my passion for all things yellow!"

Your family home is beautifully preserved, with a lot of character. Are there any particular design influences that you gravitate towards when creating spaces within your home?

"The house has 173 years of history so I have learnt the hard way that you need to layer rather than erase. The home was in ruins for nearly 50 years and was restored from ruins in the late 1960s. When I first bought the property thirteen years ago, I removed some iconic 60s/70s wallpaper which (with the benefit of hindsight) was a bit of a shame. I’m less sad about losing the yellow bath, yellow loo and yellow basin…but the bath has been repurposed as a cattle trough, so all was not lost! Scrolling through Instagram does lead to temptations to modernise and minimalize the house, but I think its character would be lost. Instead I try to pick up a few modern or quirky decorating items like vases and cushions and tablecloths that can easily be replaced. Things also have to be hard waring so they can withstand plenty of  mud and sand."

When you’re not working or riding, what do you enjoy doing? Are there any hobbies or creative outlets that you turn to for relaxation? We spied some beautiful paintings during our shoot. 

"After many many years of procrastination I have taken up oil painting again with the fabulous Sarah McDonald. Sarah runs the most marvellous art school in Fullarton and I regret immensely that I didn’t start earlier. I would dearly love to paint every day but sadly it’s limited to once a week…for now."

Fashion often tells a story. We love your personal style as much as we love your home! How would you describe your own approach to dressing? Are there certain items/ colours/ accessories that hold particular sentimental value for you? 

"My girlfriends would say that I am very partial to a sequin (in any colour and at any time of day!). I love to mix a handful of quality pieces which I may have owned for many years with some more modern and less timeless pieces that are more disposable (or at least saleable on Marketplace!). I’m certainly dressing more for comfort these days…I cannot fathom how I used to wear pencil-skirted suits with high heels and walk around the city at lunch shopping. Thank goodness for sneakers, slides and ‘ugly’ fashion!"

Tell us how you spend a perfect spring summer day at Cantara? 

"My perfect day will always start early – preferably around 5am. During Summer this might include a ride along the Waitpinga clifftops when the mist is still hanging over the water and the only sounds are the waves crashing below and my beloved magpies. There's something magical about watching the sun rise on horseback. By the time I get back, the day feels like it already has momentum, like I've borrowed extra hours from somewhere. If I’m feeling energetic I might run to The Bluff and back and take a dip in the ocean close to home. In the evening, a glass of red wine outside sitting on the old stone watertank is glorious – again, it’s the roar of the ocean which is constant backdrop and if you are lucky, a full moon over the dark ocean is as good as any daytime view."

A final quick five. Your favourite...

1)  Book:"Paving the Way by Simpson Newland. I collect vintage copies of this book. It’s very old but is set locally which makes it very special. I also love Alison Lester’s children's books. They could almost be set at Cantara, there are so many similarities.” 

2) Podcast:“I can’t split 'Talking with Painters with Maria Stoljar’ and ‘Chat 10 Looks 3’ with Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb.”

3) Perfume: “Diorissimo by Christian Dior.”

4) Insta account for Spring Summer '25!:“Binny of course!!” 

5) TV series:"Definitely Clarkson’s Farm – how good is Lisa!”