Houzz Tours
My Home Life: Alex Adams, a.k.a Ms Darlinghurst of Eat Drink Play
Explore the sunny Caribbean-style apartment of Sydney food and drink blogger, Alex Adams
Alex Adams began blogging as Ms Darlinghurst in 2009, and quickly drew a loyal following of fellow Sydney food and drink lovers. She also endeavoured to connect these foodies through her guerrilla-inspired dining experience, Secret Foodies. Through this concept, she hosts dinner parties in random locations across the city, including in barns, on rooftops and in warehouses.
It’s in her light-filled apartment in Surry Hills, however, that she puts on her Ms Darlinghurst hat, blogging about what she thinks her followers should be sitting up and paying attention to on the hospitality scene. Using her unique, vintage ‘Caribbean holiday’ style, Adams has made her space the perfect creative headquarters, with a kitchen that always gets a good workout.
COMMENT TO WIN
Tell us what you love about Alex Adams’ home in the Comments below, for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from West Elm. “They have some really great dinnerware – unusual plates, great linen napkins and runners,” says Adams of the retailer. “I often buy things from there for smaller, boutique dinner parties for Secret Foodies private events.” A winner has been chosen and that’s you emma_on_houzz, congratulations!
It’s in her light-filled apartment in Surry Hills, however, that she puts on her Ms Darlinghurst hat, blogging about what she thinks her followers should be sitting up and paying attention to on the hospitality scene. Using her unique, vintage ‘Caribbean holiday’ style, Adams has made her space the perfect creative headquarters, with a kitchen that always gets a good workout.
COMMENT TO WIN
Tell us what you love about Alex Adams’ home in the Comments below, for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from West Elm. “They have some really great dinnerware – unusual plates, great linen napkins and runners,” says Adams of the retailer. “I often buy things from there for smaller, boutique dinner parties for Secret Foodies private events.” A winner has been chosen and that’s you emma_on_houzz, congratulations!
I put the last bid in and then ‘sold’ – it was mine! I went to breakfast afterwards to celebrate and didn’t eat a thing, my stomach was in knots. But more than 18 months later we are in a loving, committed relationship and I couldn’t be happier with my home.
Can you please draw a picture of your favourite room and tell us what you love about living in your apartment?
There’s plenty I love about my apartment. The building for one – it’s an old warehouse conversion with an awesome rooftop – perfect for entertaining in warmer months. The apartment itself is relaxed, comfortable and I feel like I’m on a mini holiday every time I come home.
Surry Hills in general is one of the best suburbs in Sydney if you’re a food and drinks lover. I have incredible bars and restaurants right at my front door. I don’t need a car because Central Station is just down the road, there’s a GoGet right outside our building and plenty of Ubers. I keep my bicycle downstairs in the garage and ride to our office in Paddington every day. Life is pretty good around here.
There’s plenty I love about my apartment. The building for one – it’s an old warehouse conversion with an awesome rooftop – perfect for entertaining in warmer months. The apartment itself is relaxed, comfortable and I feel like I’m on a mini holiday every time I come home.
Surry Hills in general is one of the best suburbs in Sydney if you’re a food and drinks lover. I have incredible bars and restaurants right at my front door. I don’t need a car because Central Station is just down the road, there’s a GoGet right outside our building and plenty of Ubers. I keep my bicycle downstairs in the garage and ride to our office in Paddington every day. Life is pretty good around here.
What’s your favourite room and what do you love about it?
Probably the kitchen. I love to cook and entertain my friends and family. Being an open kitchen with the island bench it’s awesome, because everyone can just sit around while I’m in the kitchen and none of us misses out on any action. It all feels really relaxed and comfortable.
Probably the kitchen. I love to cook and entertain my friends and family. Being an open kitchen with the island bench it’s awesome, because everyone can just sit around while I’m in the kitchen and none of us misses out on any action. It all feels really relaxed and comfortable.
How do you define your style?
1950s Caribbean Holiday Chic – haha I’m pretty sure that’s not really a style, but it’s how I’d describe my home.
1950s Caribbean Holiday Chic – haha I’m pretty sure that’s not really a style, but it’s how I’d describe my home.
What inspires your design aesthetic?
I have a real tendency to be a bit over the top in everything I do, including my design style. So things that really inspire me are minimalist approaches to design. I’m not saying my aesthetic is minimal in the slightest, but looking at people and places that are helps keep me from overdoing it. ‘Less is more Alex, you don’t need three cow skulls in your apartment… one is enough’ kind of logic.
I have a real tendency to be a bit over the top in everything I do, including my design style. So things that really inspire me are minimalist approaches to design. I’m not saying my aesthetic is minimal in the slightest, but looking at people and places that are helps keep me from overdoing it. ‘Less is more Alex, you don’t need three cow skulls in your apartment… one is enough’ kind of logic.
What’s your proudest design moment?
I don’t know if it’s necessarily a design moment, but I get quite fixated on things when I’ve got something in my mind, and I almost obsess over it until I find the perfect match. I looked for the perfect drinks cart for about three years. I finally found my 1950s antique drinks trolley in mint condition for an absolute steal at the Surry Hills markets. It was one of the most satisfying purchases in this apartment.
I don’t know if it’s necessarily a design moment, but I get quite fixated on things when I’ve got something in my mind, and I almost obsess over it until I find the perfect match. I looked for the perfect drinks cart for about three years. I finally found my 1950s antique drinks trolley in mint condition for an absolute steal at the Surry Hills markets. It was one of the most satisfying purchases in this apartment.
I also love what I’ve done with my balcony. I’ve managed to make a small space feel really lush, spacious and relaxing.
What do you love to make?
Food! I’m half Greek; food is how we express our love, it’s in my blood. Whether it be cooking a nice simple meal for myself or having friends around. Just like Secret Foodies events, I love theming meals. I recently had friends over for a Mexican night. We had Mexican music playing, margaritas on arrival, tacos for dinner and aged tequila to finish. It was lots of fun.
Food! I’m half Greek; food is how we express our love, it’s in my blood. Whether it be cooking a nice simple meal for myself or having friends around. Just like Secret Foodies events, I love theming meals. I recently had friends over for a Mexican night. We had Mexican music playing, margaritas on arrival, tacos for dinner and aged tequila to finish. It was lots of fun.
COMMENT TO WIN
For your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from West Elm, comment on what it is you love about Alex Adams’ home. A winner has been chosen and that’s you emma_on_houzz, congratulations!
For full terms and conditions, click here.
For your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from West Elm, comment on what it is you love about Alex Adams’ home. A winner has been chosen and that’s you emma_on_houzz, congratulations!
For full terms and conditions, click here.
Who lives here: Alex Adams
Location: Surry Hills, NSW
Size: 62 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
How did you and your home meet?
I had friends who lived in The Delano in Surry Hills, and I had always really liked the building. I had missed out on another apartment earlier in the year that I bought mine. It was a blessing really because, despite [the other apartment] having a garage, the layout wasn’t as good. My Saturdays for about six months in 2014 were completely consumed with house hunting. Then one morning I visited this apartment and knew it had to be mine.
On a rainy Saturday morning in October 2014 it went to auction. My first auction ever! I rocked up hungover and quite overwhelmed. Luckily two friends were there for support.