An artist creates a home filled with colour and spice

Vibrant hues and natural materials are celebrated in the light-soaked dining room, where a geometric kilim from Rah Rah Rugs anchors the space. The home owner has customised a pendant Ikea lampshade with a painted pink trim. The cockatoo painting ‘Euclid’ is by Geoffrey Carran.

Over the years, the owners have amassed a much-cherished collection of art, ranging from many creations by themselves to pieces including ‘St Kilda Angel’ by celebrated Australian artist Mirka Mora (top left) and ‘Obey Giant’ by street artist Shepard Fairey (black and white portrait, centre). Other works include a multi-coloured Friends With You ‘Plasma Boy’ print (fifth piece from left) and ‘No Minute Gone’ by Rob Ryan (red, black and white piece, bottom right). 

With a prime outlook to the front garden, the main bedroom is simply a lovely place to start and end the day. Over the bed, dressed in Country Road linen and a multi-coloured Gorman cushion, hangs a stretched David Bromley ‘Sleeping Boy’ quilt. Also central to the room’s charm is the handmade decorative timber fireplace surround, which the owners sourced themselves, and the collection of crosses that reflect their love of religious iconography.

Decorated with many of her own drawings and paintings, this eight-year-old girl’s room is also adorned with antiques. The wrought-iron antique Victorian bedhead was a charming Ebay find (for similar, try a custom-made iron bed by Scout House), while the pendant (for similar, try Space), which the homeowners found many years ago, brings a dose of ’70s-style.

In the family bathroom, an Ikea timber mirror blends effortlessly with a hardwood vanity customised by the homeowners. A Danica Studio shower curtain is both useful and decorative, as is the hanging ‘Lorikeet’ towel by Havlu. 

Colour and whimsy are the standouts in the family room. Walls in Haymes Paint’s ‘Cherish’ create a soft backdrop for more of the family’s pieces, including the ‘Colourful Life’ print by Maurice Golotta. 

On the timeworn chocolate leather couch – which the owners bought two decades ago at Ikea – a Society Of Wanderers cushion, from Greenhouse Interiors, brings a touch of leopard-print magic. Natural light streams into the kitchen, and the crisp white cabinetry, turns the hub of the home into a bright and beautiful place in which to cook and congregate. The framed ‘Life Is Fantastic’ tea towel by British artist David Shrigley was found at Third Drawer Down.

Bringing dazzling shots of colour to the merbau timber-lined deck, coated in a Haymes Paint ‘Licorice’ timber finish, are two original Acapulco chairs from Amor Y Locura. “The pink is so vibrant, as is the blue,” says the owner. “They make me feel like I’m on holidays – and they’re actually really comfortable too, which is definitely a bonus.”

Situated at the back of the garden under the shade of the towering liquidambar tree is a haven for creativity.