For those of you who have been following along, you may have heard that this is my last week as Art Director and editorial stylist at The Design Files after 10 wonderful years. Like we all tend to do at the end of an era, I’ve been reflecting on the best moments of my time here and feeling nostalgic about some of the most memorable homes which I was lucky enough to visit during my time here.
A huge part of my job, and easily my favourite, was stepping inside hundreds of Australia’s most beautiful homes. It’s the ultimate job for a sticky beak like me. Spending half a day photographing and touching peoples stuff in their beautiful homes is a very quick way to get to know someone.
An ordinary guest wouldn’t usually spend half an hour in your bedroom analysing every corner, moving pillows, fluffing sheets, or clearing shoeboxes from under the bed so they don’t creep their way into the shot. But we do; and often the homeowner is right there with us, chatting about everything and anything. You learn so much, you laugh a lot, you meet their kids and pets, they show you their most prized possessions, and before you know it you’re talking about your favourite films, workout routines and what you ate for breakfast. That’s what makes these shoots so special and memorable, it’s getting to know the people who live there. The house is almost secondary.
What I love most is getting a glimpse into people’s lives, their routines and the way they live. Sometimes the kids come home from school mid shoot and you see the family dinner routine unfold, and the house quickly unravel back into its natural state. Sometimes the host will leave you to it while they potter in the garden for the entirety of the shoot, and some follow you from room to room, excited to be part of it all.
The beauty of TDF homes is that we are dealing with real in there ‘tidied’ but not far fetched homes. There are signs of real life tucked away everywhere (usually tucked behind a ‘don’t look in there’ door) for the purpose of shoot, and I love that. It makes me feel normal.
Long time readers will know that when I talk about ‘TDF Homes’ I am referring to the homes we publish every Wednesday morning. These are the ones we hunt down ourselves, often through a bit of Instagram stalking and lots of dm-ing! To which we arrange and commission photography ourselves. These homes are like little treasures, usually unseen, often untouched by architects, sometime they’re rentals and share-houses. The spectrum is enormous with the same brief for all, just beautiful, lived in and loved homes belonging to proud owners or renters. Very special stuff.
When we visit, I always find it fun to imagine myself living in these homes. One week I’d be convinced a coastal life was for me when we’d be shooting along the Bellarine coast, the next I’d visit a country home in south Gippsland and completely rethink it all again…maybe I want the farm life? Only to fall for an apartment in the city with epic views the week after.
So in no particular order, here are 10 of my most memorable homes which I had the pleasure of visiting. Homes that inspired my own, and homes and homeowners that have taught me so much. All things that will stick with me for a very long time. Enjoy!
HOME #1: The Timeless Beachside Home Of A Magazine Industry Legend
Ahh the home of Deb Bibby. I get warm and fuzzies when I look back at these photos as it takes me right back that very day. I can actually smell this house when I think about it! Is that weird? Deb was so warm and so welcoming when Photographer Caitlin Mills and I stepped foot into her stunnningggggg home! It’s one of those homes that you walk into and just go…wow…as you breathe out and stare out to the yacht peppered bay through the white french windows.
It was the most beautiful day when we shot this home, so warm and balmy - classic Sydney. It was small, but beautifully considered and layered and there was just SO much to capture. Deb knew the drill (formally being the Editor-In-Chief at Real Living magazine - this was not her first rodeo). Her house was styled to perfection, which made our job easy! Everything put in its place, but in a way that didn’t feel conceded or unnatural. A gift in itself.
Even though we shot this house so long ago (2019!) I still remember that we ran behind schedule because we got carried away and just couldn’t stop shooting. We were also so obsessed with Deb who was feeding our egos with her praises and sharing her knowledge about this very industry which she knew so well. We met her son, and his girlfriend (who I believe are now married) and they told us about all the fishing trips they’ve been on together and how they both met.
At the end of the shoot, Deb suggested we go for a dip out in the bay out front. On these trips to Sydney we got into the habit of packing our bathers every day because…well Sydney has so many amazing swimming spots and you’re bound to find one nearby after a shoot for a quick dip! So that’s what we did, just as golden hour struck, and it was glorious. Even though Caitlin had already packed up her camera, she whipped it out again to get this final shot below, whilst still dripping in her bathers.
HOME #2: A Former Horse Stable Turned Charming Family Home In Byron
Every now and then, you get to visit a home of someone you know and have been fan-girling over on instagram. I was SO excited to visit this house that I had been screen-shotting on my phone for years in REAL LIFE! That ICONIC red barn door! Say no more. From memory, this was the first house shoot of 7 from our bi-annual trip to Byron. A strong opener!
We were greeted by Carter’s Dalmatian who bounded up the rocky footpath with such excitement, as most dogs do on house shoots. Her partner Jack helped us carry our gear down the steep, wet footpath to the barn with the red doors as we were welcomed in by Carter who was hanging out with her kids in her kitchen…just like I’d seen on her instagram!
Carter had her baby on her hip, and her daughter two steps in front who gave us a tour around the house which was smaller than I had imagined but still SO beautiful, and so detailed. They guided us out through the back door, reminding us to keep it closed throughout the day so not to let the snakes in! (As victorians, this was thrilling). We meandered through windy pathways and made our way out to the veggie garden which was located on a big opening of grass, which overlooked a sun-lit valley below. I actually didn’t realise how high we were until this moment. The morning sun was glorious, and I was in heaven.
Together the family showed us around the veggie garden, while one of Carter’s daughters grabbed a chicken who flapped and fought while she didn’t even seem to flinch. Eventually she tucked the chicken under her arm and it settled. This felt oh so very Byron in the best way possible, to have a child handle a chicken with such effortless grace…wow. Caitlin whipped out her camera and snapped this very moment below.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.