(my_space) BACK LIVING AREA This is the hub of the house where we eat, hang out and open up the doors to the garden, where the kids run amok. KITCHEN We wanted a kitchen with open shelves to display our bits and bobs, including crockery, jugs, cookbooks and ceramics. BEDROOM We keep the bedroom clutter-free. It’s nice and simple, with matching lamps and bedside tables, which is good feng shui.
HAND CRAFTED
FRONT LIVING ROOM We crank up the fire in winter. It’s the best space for reading and relaxing. Adding different chairs and a colourful Turkish rug also warms up the place.
A FAMILY OF FURNITURE MAKERS KEEP THEIR HOME RELAXED AND SIMPLE WITH NATURAL MATERIALS IN NEUTRAL SHADES
MAGAZINES We’re always surrounded by magazines. We love looking at all the beautiful houses that have our furniture. Fashion and surf mags give us a break from looking at interiors.
STYLE STEALS (left, from top) FENTON & FENTON pot (plant not included), from $110, fentonandfenton.com.au JARDAN vintage rug, $4600, and armchair, from $3845, (03) 9548 8866, (02) 9663 4500
When we found this place in 1997, it was just a really nice, old brick clinker – like a Valiant that had been in the garage for a while. It was old but in good condition. It’s double brick and solid but had lots of small rooms, so we changed a few internal walls to open it up and let in more light. We didn’t change the footprint of the house, just did a simple renovation by way of new bathrooms and kitchen. Renee’s dad and a friend helped with the build and design, but Renee had a strong vision. It was a team effort. The outcome is exactly what we were after – a simple, neutral palette with materials such as stone, timber and marble. We had space to extend but deliberately didn’t make it bigger. We kept it small and compact because we wanted a generous outdoor area. We redid the garden and maintained the space, which is important with young kids. I spend a lot of time out there kicking the footy with them. The interior has taken a while to develop and we still play around with it a bit. Sometimes Renee changes the cushions and soft furnishings, but the big furniture items have stayed the same. We’ve had our couch for a long time and, together with the kitchen table, it’s survived the wear and tear that comes with two young boys! If Jardan gets a new design that we love, we may swap a chair or something, but we don’t bring QV VM_ \PQVO[ ITT \PM \QUM )TT \PM [_Q\KPQVO IVL [_IXXQVO LMÅVQ\MTa comes from Renee’s creative eye and background in fashion styling. ?M PI^M I VQKM TQ\\TM ¼ [ ÅJZW [PIKS QV :aM CWV \PM 5WZVQVO\WV Peninsula], so we go there most weekends. But it’s different from this XTIKM · [QUXTMZ IVL _Q\P TQOP\ _I[P ÆWWZ[ *W\P PW][M[ IZM IV M`\MV[QWV of Jardan, with things we love or that are a bit eclectic and different.
40 | SUNDAYSTYLE.COM.AU
EDITED BY KATHERINE CHATFIELD. WORDS: CARLI PHILIPS. PHOTOGRAPHY: DEREK SWALWELL
WHO Nick Garnham, design director at furniture business Jardan (jardan.com.au), and his wife, Renee Garnham, the company’s lifestyle creative director, with their children, Van, seven, and Japhy, four WHERE Brighton, Melbourne WHAT Light and bright original red-brick ’50s home in a bayside suburb
We bunkered down a bit just after we had kids, but now we’re getting back into it and expanding the business into homewares. ?M ÅVQ[P WVM XZWRMK\ IVL \PMV _M _WVLMZ _PI\ _M KIV LW next. There’s not some huge master plan; things just evolve. We’re collaborating with local artisans who do organic pieces, and also with Gregory Bonasera, who makes amazing ceramics. We bumped into him at one of our sales and it just went from there. We’re also developing bed linen, rugs, textiles and blankets – all things that we love and would have in the house. Jardan is committed to using as many waste components as possible and upcycling wood, leather and upholstery. It’s how we live and what we believe in. There’s not much we’d change about the house, except maybe the position – it would be great hanging off the beach. And Renee would probably like a bigger ensuite. 2IZLIV¼[ ÅZ[\ LMLQKI\ML ZM\IQT [\WZM Q[ TI]VKPQVO QV 5MTJW]ZVM MIZTa VM`\ aMIZ <ISM I virtual tour around our favourite celebrity and designer homes at homelife.com.au.
I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT…
TEAPOT We drink a lot of herbal tea! This Marimekko teapot brews the perfect cup.
BOOKS Art, architecture and design books are great references and a source of inspiration.
ARCHTOP GUITAR This was the best birthday present from Renee. It sounds great, plugged in or not.
SCAN PAGE TO BUY
LAMP We’ve just introduced lamps into the Jardan range. This Sol light gives the living area a soft glow.
BUDDHAS We picked these up on our travels. They infuse our noisy house with some calm.