Some years ago I first met artist Jenny McCown when I photographed her home in East Brisbane — a five-bedroom Queenslander with a bright pink door. She has since moved into a more modern (and smaller) two-bedroom apartment on Brisbane River. It is in an enviable location, with a view off her balcony across Jacaranda trees with the river just beyond. But what I love most is that it is still such a true projection of her style and taste.

Jenny is an artist, most often painting beautiful artwork with flowers. She also has a love for Indian textiles that she inherited from her mother, Dana. And in her art, she combines a prominent passion for color as well as this interest in travel and textiles. When you step into her apartment, it becomes obvious that these activities and interests transcend into all corners of her home and life.

Throughout Jenny’s home you will find treasures from various trips overseas to far-flung locales like India, France, China, Bali, and more, often accompanied by her mother. Her style also reflects her family, as many items are from late family members, or are items that she has had since her children were young.

My Style: I don’t know that I have one. I just create spaces that make me happy.

Inspiration: Colour; my environment; objects that are handcrafted, have history, have sentimental value; art and travel.

Favourite Element: My view – the river and Jacaranda trees.

Biggest Challenge: Downsizing from a five bedroom Queenslander to a two bedroom apartment.

What friends say: That my home feels like me.

Biggest Indulgence: My Astier de Villatte ceramic pieces.

Best Advice: Decorate to please yourself.

Dream source: Anthropologie furniture, Antique, vintage and junk shops.

ENTRY
Second-hand cupboard – bought from a friend
Cotton hand-woven rug – Rajasthan, India
Vintage drink crate (used as shelf unit) and bench seat – Woolloongabba Antique Centre
Moroccan stool – Hamimi store
Tiger cane plant stand – The Old Boathouse Antique Store
Moroccan wall lamp – France
Chinese ink brushes – Beijing, China
Indian wooden printing blocks – Rajasthan, India
Painting by Aboriginal artist – Josephine Nangala
Woven baskets on wall – Vanuatu, and Bali
Chinese ink paintings – Beijing market, China

LIVING ROOM
Turquoise Peggy sofa – Black and Spiro Interior Design
Love seat – Belonged to Jenny’s grandmother
Anokhi cushions – India Rose Textiles
Ikat cushions – woven by Jenny’s mother – Dana McCown
Assorted cushions – from Bali, Designer’s Guild, Lemlem/ Anthropologie
Landscape painting — by Jenny’s mother Dana McCown
Floral still life – by Jenny McCown
Corner drinks trolley – The Old Boathouse Antique Store

Wooden coffee table – Old family dining table

Moroccan pouffe and lantern – Hamimi store
Vintage file drawers/TV stand – from my father’s shed
Ethiopian crosses on wall – Ethiopia

DINING ROOM
Glass cabinet and contents – belonged to Jenny’s grandmother
Candelabra – belonged to Jenny’s grandmother
Vintage bench – Jenny’s father’s shed, before that it was a Blacksmith shop in North Qld
Mannequin – The Old Boathouse Antique Store
Vintage table – Antiques at the Cottage Garden Nursery, East Brisbane
Chest of drawers – Faded Empire, Ipswich, Qld
Lamp and shade – Sachs and Cornish, Paddington Antique Centre
Suzani covered chair – Black and Spiro Interior Design
Abstract floral painting – by Veronika Zeil, Rockhampton, Qld
Floral still life paintings – by Jenny McCown

KITCHEN
Antique kitchen dresser – Antique store, Helidon, Qld
Woven wool rug – Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

MAIN BEDROOM
Anokhi quilts and cushions – India Rose Textiles
White bedspread and European pillow cases – Bed, Bath N’ Table
Floral still life – by Jenny McCown
Vintage table/desk – T he Old Boathouse Antique Store
Vintage bench — my father’s shed, before that a Blacksmith shop in North Queensland
Vintage painted drawers – Black and Spiro Interior Design
Antique cedar drawers – from an old pub in Charters Towers, North Qld

GUEST BEDROOM
Anokhi quilt – India Rose Textiles
Cushions – Black and Spiro Interior Design
Bedside table –The Old Boathouse Antique Store

Antique bureau – made by Jenny’s Great Great Uncle in Pennsylvania, USA
Carved Skull – Adrift, East Brisbane
Floral still life painting – by Jenny McCown

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