Jesse and Alastair made the move from an inner-city Art Deco apartment to Ipswich when they purchased their first home. They found a beautiful “Queenslander” style cottage, and quickly made the house a home in just under a year. Choosing a house with character and charm was just the first step of this vintage luxe home.

Modern items such as their West Elm sofa and coffee table mix perfectly with rustic cabinets and dining chairs. So many items have stories, the best belonging to a large painted portrait scored for a bargain off the second-hand trading site, Gumtree. Jesse went to collect the painting not even realizing the actual size of the painting — and was astounded upon seeing it. The painting is leaning against the wall of the guest bedroom — and truly makes quite an impression.

My Style: “More is more”

Inspiration: Crumbling old aristocratic estates full of collections curated over generations, designers such as Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler and more modern influences like Anna Spiro and William Rankin McLure IV.

Favorite Element: Antiques and curios inherited from my family and the pieces we have purchased together on our travels overseas. Both elements are so emotive and each piece brings back such specific memories. They are my treasures in every sense of the word.

Biggest Challenge: When we bought the house, the previous owner had introduced some elements that were not sympathetic to the period of the house (as well as a few “bold” choices for colours and finishes, however, to each their own!). It was difficult to know whether we should take these elements out and start again, or if we should try and work with them. We decided to repaint the feature walls so that the entire house was bright white and to try and work with the modern inclusion in the ensuite (for example) as we don’t intend to live in the house forever. I think the blend has worked.

What Friends Say: Recently a good friend came over and said “everything has been arranged so beautifully, all the little vignettes suit each other so wonderfully.” That was a big compliment, as we have so many treasured pieces I have tried to keep everything on display, while also trying not to make it not feel claustrophobic.

Biggest Embarrassment: It’s on a busy road!

Proudest DIY: Ripping off the fluro “Cherry Blossom” wall decal, and painting and hanging the collection of blue and white plates. It was only a small thing, but was so satisfying. The plate wall is a lot of people’s favourite part of the house.

Biggest Indulgence: We have a few pieces from my favourite shop “The Antique Guild” (we even bought our wedding rings there!). The Guild is a treasure trove of perfectly curated pieces — and while some may be quite expensive, you know that you are purchasing a piece so wonderful, so authentic and so unique — that you will treasure it for the rest of your life! I suppose the other indulgence is the yearly trips overseas that bring in so many of our favourite pieces (not a hard thing to try and justify to yourself ha-ha).

Best Advice: Do WHATEVER makes you happy! If you love a piece and everyone else hates it, buy it. It’s your life and your home. Stick to your guns — your home will look better for it. My other advice: if your better half says “Don’t buy any more antiques — you have enough!” – Keep buying! It’s far easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission! 😉

PAINT & COLORS
Dulux- Bright White

LIVING ROOM
Peggy Mid Century sofa— West Elm
Reeve Mid Century coffee table – West Elm
Picture of Capri was taken by Alastair and blown up, digitally retouched and framed in a simple frame from IKEA.
Ginger jars – Botticelli House
Most other pieces are antique or vintage and sourced from markets, overseas or estate sales etc

DINING ROOM
Dining table and chairs – Gumtree find
Portrait above mirror — Black and Spiro
Landscape painting – @thebrasspalm (Instagram trader)
Most other pieces are antique or vintage and sourced from markets, overseas or estate sales, etc.

KITCHEN
Everything in the kitchen is antique or vintage and sourced from markets, overseas or estate sales etc.

BEDROOM
Curtains and lamps – Black and Spiro
Blue and White striped cushions – H&M Home (pheasant tapestry cushion is a vintage find from Paris)
Bed Linen – Sheridan
Antique sideboard and chest – Woolloongabba Antique Centre
Brass candlestick holders – @eclecticfind (Instagram trader)

GUEST BEDROOM
Antique cabinet (one of my fave pieces) and jewellery box on side table – The Antique Guild

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