The Art of Rest: Inside Bree Banfield’s Sanctuary

An interview series curating how style leaders interpret the art of rest – from textures and tones to the rituals that define their personal retreat.

Bree Banfield (fka Leech) approaches design with an instinctive sense of feeling – an ability to layer texture, tone and narrative in a way that feels both deeply personal and effortlessly resolved. As a stylist and creative, a stylist and creative working with Dulux Australia, Bec Judd and Laminex (to name just a few), her work is less about trends and more about intuition – spaces that are lived-in, expressive and evocative. In this edition of The Art of Rest, we step inside Bree’s world to explore the intersection of creativity and restoration – from the rituals that ground her to the bedroom she has shaped as a true reflection of self. What unfolds is a conversation about perspective, sensory living and the beauty of creating space not just to live, but to simply be.

Your work sits at the intersection of styling, storytelling and spatial design – each project feeling both intentional and deeply lived-in. How do you balance creative output with the need to step back and restore your perspective?

That balance between creative output and maintaining perspective really comes from being out in the world. Doing creative things, going to galleries, engaging with pop culture, seeing films, being on social media, and talking to people, particularly clients, helps keep me connected to what others want, rather than just imposing my own point of view.

I also love to travel. It gives me perspective, seeing how other people live, different cultures and their approaches to life. It’s inspiring and grounding at the same time.

It’s about listening to people, listening to what’s happening culturally, and staying in touch with that. That, in turn, fuels creativity.

You have a distinct ability to create spaces that feel layered, emotive and enduring rather than trend-led. When it comes to your own bedroom, what atmosphere were you drawn to create – and how does your Heatherly bed anchor that feeling?

Well, I do like colour!

For me, I wanted my space to feel joyful. That’s what I find relaxing. I know some people might find a lot of colour overstimulating in a bedroom, but for me it’s about creating a space that feels uplifting and reflective of my character. Heatherly really nailed that.

It’s funny, I’ve lived parts of my life not fully being myself, so it’s actually quite a big deal for me to have this new Waldon bed from Heatherly and for it to truly represent me.

We worked closely together to get the design just right. I had some wilder ideas that were reined in slightly, which was probably a good thing. That’s why you work with professionals. It’s what I do in my own interior design work too, trusting that balance. Heatherly has created so many beautiful beds, so I trusted that process, and the result feels really special.

Ultimately, the mood I wanted to capture was joy.

Styling requires a constant refinement of the eye – noticing, editing, evolving. What helps you switch off that instinct and simply be within a space?

It’s actually quite hard to switch off. I tend to hyper-focus, so if a new project comes in, I can lie in bed thinking about it. When I’m styling a space, I become completely immersed. It’s just how I work. I can even forget to eat, drink or take a break.

Switching off at home can be tricky. I do work a lot, probably because I genuinely love what I do. But I turn to things like film, music and television. I almost always have headphones in and I’m usually listening to music.

I’ve also started exploring meditation and mantras, which has been interesting because I don’t naturally find it easy to sit still or focus on one thing.

Having a beautiful bedroom has made a real difference. My room was okay before, but it didn’t feel like mine. Now I notice the shift immediately. It feels relaxing and cosy. I spend time in here just being, listening to music, reading, watching tv. That’s been really important.

Your work tells a story through objects, textures and tone. What story does your bedroom tell about the chapter you’re in right now?

Now that my bedroom feels so much more like me, it really reflects where I am in life. People close to me would understand how significant that is, creating spaces that truly represent who I am.

This Heatherly Waldon bed has come at the perfect time. It’s a space that feels entirely mine, not influenced by anyone else. I’m very happy to share it with Indi, my dog, and no one else for now.

Rituals can be as much about the senses as they are about routine. Are there particular rituals – materials, light, scent or moments – that signal to your body that it’s time to slow down?

I do love a ritual. I’m probably better with morning rituals. Coffee is my thing – but I probably have too much of it.

At night, I’ve started introducing more intentional rituals. Skincare has become a kind of wellness moment, especially when I’m exhausted and just want to wash the day away. That really marks the beginning of my evening wind-down.

Then I get into bed – Indi is usually there too, (although she sometimes prefers her chair by the window) and I listen to audiobooks. I might read as well, but I tend to get carried away with a book, whereas with an audiobook I can set a timer, by the time it finishes, I’m usually asleep.

In a visually driven world, there’s often a pressure to constantly create and share. Where do you go – physically or mentally – when you need to retreat from that noise and reconnect with your own creative voice?

Reconnecting with my own creative voice can be challenging because there’s so much constant stimulation. Social media is probably the biggest factor. It’s something I have to consciously step back from. Putting the phone down and stopping the scroll is important.

I return to more tactile, physical things, especially books. Visual books in particular, the kind you can sit with and absorb. I have quite a collection, so I’ll pull a few out and spend time with them, with a coffee, tea or a glass of wine. It’s a way to silence the noise.

Often, if I’m stuck on something creatively, that’s where the solution comes. I might see a colour or a shape that sparks an idea, and that can evolve into the idea I was looking for.

The same happens when I’m out walking, taking Indi out, being in nature, noticing small details. The way a tree bends, or even something unexpected. I once saw the back of a truck with an incredible colour combination that became an inspiration.

It’s really about being present and paying attention to what’s around you, rather than being lost in a screen.

If you were to define “the art of rest” in your own words, shaped by your life and work, what would it look and feel like?

It’s different for everyone, but for me it’s about engaging all the senses, beautiful bed linen, rich colours, music and scent, whether that’s essential oils or a candle.

Lighting is also incredibly important. I never use overhead lights in my bedroom. It’s all about lamps and softer lighting.

Bringing all of those elements together creates a space where I can truly unwind. That, to me, is the art of rest.

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