Avant-garde Australian designer Kym Ellery shares her go-tos in the city.

I’ve always had an affinity with the ocean and I’m very career-focused. Sydney is the perfect place for both of these things. The most incredible subtropical coastline with pristine beaches is at your doorstep, yet the city itself is an awesome hub for design, arts, culture, restaurants, bars and live music.

I live in the city’s north, in Palm Beach, which is on a spit bound on one side by the Pacific Ocean and the other by Pittwater. A typical day for me begins at 7am. My yoga instructor comes to my house and we do an hour of yoga and meditation on the balcony. The 180-degree view of the ocean and the salt in the air create a very therapeutic experience. We’re often joined by a row of kookaburras perched on the railing—the record number at any one time is eight.

I’ll often have breakfast at a restaurant near me called The Boathouse, which is housed in a beautiful old building on the shore of  Pittwater—and a post-egg paddleboard is a must. After breakfast, I drive into the city to my studio and atelier to meet with my team. I love talking to my art director and graphic designer about the different prints and fabrics we will be using.

Fratelli Paradiso in Potts Point is one of my favourite lunch spots. The scampi pasta is incredible and there are plenty of gluten-free dishes to choose from. They even do gluten-free wine. It’s a perfect spot for light business lunches and also popular with the city’s designers—we’ll quite often end up there for a late dinner after a party.

On a weekend, I can often be found at one of the city’s galleries. The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Powerhouse Museum have great collections and exhibitions. For something a little different, the Brett Whiteley Studio has been left exactly as it was when the famous artist died, complete with unfinished works and walls full of inspiration. It’s a little bit eerie, but truly compelling.