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A Grounded Life with Sue Axlund
Above: Sue Axlund and Monica Ward, the power house team at Axlund & Goldstein
"Do what is right and not what is easy."
Join us as Sue Axlund, Interior Design Director of Axlund & Goldstein, shows us a sneak peek into her newly built home in Sydney’s East and discusses her life, projects and adventures.
Founded by Sue in 2001, Axlund & Goldstein is the Sydney based Interior Design firm that has become renowned for its well established and diverse portfolio. With a wide breadth of experience spanning multi residential projects, high end residential, corporate projects and retail spaces. Their interior design and styling team collaborate with leading architects, developers, builders and industry professionals to create individualised concepts and deliver tailored and unique spaces.
Recent project by Axlund & Goldstein
Where do you call home?
My home is nestled between Little Bay Beach and a coastal golf course in Sydney’s east where I live with my two sons, husband and fur baby Frenchie. I feel so blessed to live in such a secluded and beautiful part of Sydney, close enough to the CBD but far enough to feel like you are a million miles away.
What does ‘home’ mean to you?
A place to build memories, a stable foundation for my family, a sanctuary and a place that will always hold good vibes, love & laughter.
Tranquility with neutral tones at home in Little Bay
What are the elements that help you transform a house into your home?
My family and I just recently moved into our new home after many years of designing and building it. It is not a large home so every millimetre has been carefully considered and designed to ensure all the small spaces are celebrated. The home is over three levels and each level has views that frame the incredible and ever changing coastal views and light. My family and I love to entertain so the kitchen and outdoor kitchen areas are the pulse of the home and one that we love to share with loved ones.
What creative projects find you most excited and energised?
I am so grateful to love and value what I do as an Interior Designer, so any interior design project I work on I get excited about and energised. I have recently started Pottery classes where I can explore wheel throwing and create my own albeit very organically shaped pieces!
Recent project by Axlund & Goldstein
Which life and/or work projects are most proud of?
Life Project - I am most proud of is being a mother of two beautiful boys and learning from them many lessons along the way. Work Project - I would have to say the most challenging but rewarding project was designing and managing the build of my family home.
Could you share with us some personal insights into a challenging time in your life?
Caring for my husband through his fight for his life with cancer after losing my mother to the disease, was hand on heart the most challenging and terrifying time in my life. To understand what so many people go through with this terrible disease was eye and heart opening to say the least.
Home at Little Bay
What did you learn about yourself throughout this challenge?
To live life with gratitude, love, kindness and always with an open heart - life is so short and should never be taken for granted.
What type of activities or rituals do you instil to help you remain Grounded?
My spiritual practice is yoga, it is my connection to self and I couldn’t imagine my life without it to ground me. The beach is also a huge part of my family's life - surfing, swimming, snorkelling and spending hours looking into rock pools is our daily lifestyle ritual that we cherish.
Recent project by Axlund & Goldstein
What is the best life advice you have been given?
Do what is right and not what is easy.
Favourite travel destination for Grounding yourself:
My husband is from Sweden and when visiting his family we ensure we take the time to walk deep into a Swedish forest. There is something incredibly grounding reconnecting with nature in a country that is so vastly different from your own, a must when visiting any Scandinavian country.
One city must-do travel tip
Base yourself and live like a local in the untouched medieval coastal town of Salerno, Amalfi Coast in Italy. Charter a private boat for day trips to Capri, Positano and Amalfi.
Sue and Frenchie relax at home