At the age of 7 maybe 8, I recall sitting on my grandparents floor flying through the pages of ‘Home Beautiful’ and ‘House and Garden’. They would take me somewhere I had never been. Every image felt like a dream. Colour combinations and textures I had not yet seen nor felt but could very much imagine. They would at times overlay a floorplan, I would analyse and reconfigure melting into my kaleidoscope dreams.
The homes were all beautiful, but the ones that spoke to me and resonated with my being, where the ones that had life. They expressed memories and made room for new stories. Displaying the uniqueness of its occupants, because we all are…….. not one of us is the same, so nor should our homes be.
Having resided and at times lived in over 35 houses throughout my life, I know a thing or two about what makes the ‘home’.
Life.
Friends and family, memories and comforts. Through collections of stories and artefacts from travels of the gypset spirit or lovingly crafted crayon drawings from the kids planted on kitchen walls. Fur baby cuddles on the couch at night kicking back listening to your fathers old vinyl. Or a space to gleam sunlight at the breaking of dawn as you let your senses awaken. Or a party in the kitchen, creating smells of spices and sweets, tantalising even the fussiest of friends.
It all sounds magical even ethereal, but we live it all every day. It’s finding the joy and recognising the privilege in the moments that bring us freedom and space.
I full heartedly moved into the world of Architecture and Interiors but unsure of where I would land. Study taking me across the state borders and finding myself. Not some extravagant and world conquering adventure. Backpacking across a Middle Eastern desert and dining in European cities, no,,,,,, just a simple Melbournian life opened my eyes and my heart to possibilities, while cracking open my creativity and love for expression.
I am fascinated in how people live. Live in their home, how they individualise it, what works and what doesn’t. And from that, I want to enhance it all! The joy, the light, the emotion, the memories. Bring it all forward to stand pride of place. Find its purpose then take a bow. Rework the footpath created in the carpet and mould out a new direction to take in new perspectives. Gaining new life and awareness of fresh opportunities and possibilities.
Where we rest, where we play, where we love and where we live all need to be expressions of who we are and what we want to remember about ourselves. Not a show, not a performance and definitely not keeping current. But a play of expression and beauty. Surrounded by the things that bring life, love and joy.
Capture yourself. You will love what you see.