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Part of this more relaxed lifestyle had to be a home that was functional but cute. In London Matthew had purchased a run-down Georgian house in New Cross. “That place was a total do-up. I had to redo the roof, the walls, the floors … everything. This time I wanted a place where you just turn up and flick a switch and everything works.”

Surprisingly for the small space, the north-west-facing ground-floor apartment even works well for entertaining. “The evening sun comes in really late and no other apartment windows face mine, so it is private. We light masses of candles, string up fairy lights under the veranda and sit out there for hours.”

His decision to buy off the plans ($305,000 for a two-bedroomed apartment in Kingsland) is proving to be prudent. Apartments in his block are now selling for $450,000. “When I was telling my mum (who is a designer) I was going to have really dark floors, black curtains and black walls she was horrified. She loves it now. It is fabulous to live in. As long as you keep it tidy and keep everything in its place, it is great. Small and functional.”

SNAPSHOT: MATTHEW WILLIAMS

First car: A red Honda Civic and it was functional and cute, well maybe not that cute but definitely functional.
Best recent gift: My girlfriend found an antique Polaroid camera. It is fantastic.
Three good CDs for a dinner party: My music mates give me mixed tapes so I have no idea what’s on them.
Favourite food: Sausages in white bread with onions and tomato sauce. The best ones are for sale outside The Warehouse.
Favourite beach: Cheltenham, where I grew up.
Chardonnay or Champagne? Chardonnay.
If someone made a movie of your life, who’d play you? A child.

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