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Louise de Weger: from struggling single mother to in-demand artist in just 8 months

By Olivia Shead •

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Last year, struggling to pay her son’s school tuition, single mother Louise de Weger decided to take a leap of faith. Quitting her job in hospitality and purchasing some paint with the little money she had left, she embarked on a journey that would be stressful and exhausting, but extremely rewarding.

Louise_bio_1a

“Nothing comes without hard work and this year has been tiring to say the least, but now I am about to take a well-earned holiday. I have featured on Reno Rumble, my business is thriving with ever-increasing collections around the world, I’ve been invited to display at the 2016 Architectural Digest Home Design Show in NYC, all in eight months. I’m so proud of myself, and I’m not ashamed to say that.”

Photo credit: Martina Gemmola for Adore Home Magazine
Photo credit: Martina Gemmola for Adore Home Magazine

Having always had a love of art, Louise studied visual arts and contemporary craft at Southbank Institute of Technology, in which time she was both the winner and runner-up of The St George Bank Contemporary Art Competition. “I was the winner and runner-up with the judges not realising that both works were by the same artist as they were vastly different. I love experimenting with different styles, so it was quite a pivotal moment of realising that one day this could actually be more than just something to occupy my time.”

photo 1

[contextly_sidebar id=”DrLBsZ4Rh8yNTfluQIOnCuv6RMPWxRiX”]Now creating modern abstract artworks — with a touch of retro and art deco — Louise’s works are very structured, with geometric forms and lush pops of colour. Made using acrylics and inks, her art making process is completely intuitive and as she confesses, quite frantic. “There are never any sketches or design processes involved. It’s a great reflection on how I tend to live my life also. I just go into it headstrong, without over analysing and without fear. I have a background colour in mind to set the overall tone and mood of the work but apart from that it’s a very organic, natural process.”

Photo credit: Martina Gemmola for Adore Home Magazine
Photo credit: Martina Gemmola for Adore Home Magazine

Now a full-time artist, with commissions booked up until the end of the year, Louise is constantly creating. However, out of the many artworks she’s made there’s still one that stands out: her commission for Reno Rumble. Which standing at 1.8×1.2 metres was remarkably painted in just two days! “That experience physically shattered me. I did not sleep for two whole days and I was shaking with hot flushes and sweats, but nonetheless it was completed in time with an hour to spare before it was flown direct to Melbourne from my home in Brisbane.”

Carly & Leighton's dining room on Reno Rumble
Carly & Leighton’s dining room on Reno Rumble

Concerned the tight timeframe would see her painting not be up to her usual standard, it turned out Louise had nothing to worry about, with the experience becoming her proudest career moment. “When the episode came time to air, myself and my family were all anxiously waiting to see how it was received. There wasn’t much feedback and it was all a bit of an anti-climax, but then they cut to the judges’ comments where they labeled my artwork ‘the hero’ of the room. We all screamed, it was just a huge relief! It was a proud, proud moment. It’s also the gift that keeps on giving, everyday a new amazing opportunity arises from it and I never stop getting excited over it. ”

For more information and to shop online.

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July 9, 2015

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Popular This Week

  • New Kaboodle range embraces vibrant colour for kitchens
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Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 very different looks last night which was great!

One question that kept coming up was just how important is the butler's pantry? Love to hear your thoughts. Do you have one? And which was your favourite last night? Please share in the comments.

Head to the blog via link in bio to find out who won and what the judges said. 

#theblock #theblockshop #blockshopper #theblockroomreveals #kitchenweek #kitchenpalette #kitchencabinetry #kitchenstyles
Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylis Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylish home was renovated recently with @keenarchitecture and @studio_esar at the helm. Brimming with fun, functionality and colour, the home is shared by ex MasterChef contestant Peter Kritikides, his wife Erica and their two children. 

Occupied by the family since 2015, the renovation brief called for a sympathetic yet modern upgrade to the heritage listed original home as well as the demolition and rebuild of the back of the residence.

Want to see the kitchen? Head to the blog via link in bio.

#elsternwick #melbournehome #melbournehomes #masterchefaustralia #masterchefcontestant #masterchefcontestants #chefskitchen #heritagearchitecture #heritagehome #heritagerenovation #monochromehome #colourfulhome #bookshelfstyling #bookcasestyling #colourfulbooks #fireplacedecor #velvetcouch #livingroomstyle #livingroomart
GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Bl GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Block master bedroom walk ins on the blog now.

Which was your fave?

Via latest posts link in bio now.

#walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #wardrobes #wardrobe #wardrobe #bedroomstorage #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #theblockroomreveals #theblock #theblock2023 #kinsman #kinsmankitchens #kinsmanwardrobes #dressingroom #dressingtable
A home that got all its extra special details AFTE A home that got all its extra special details AFTER handover with stunning results!

When Emma Fuller built her family home five years ago, she went with the ‘basic’ package with a view to elevating the spaces in a more budget-friendly manner down the line. Knowing that she couldn’t afford her entire wish list upfront, she made allowances within the plans so that she could add all the special details later.

“Although the builder could have incorporated every detail we asked for, we knew it would have blown our budget, but that didn’t mean I was going to let the dream go,” says @hamptonsinhighfields 

Patience and hard work have definitely paid off and today on the blog we are showing you how she did it from adding a fireplace, bench seat, wallpaper, french doors, a mudroom, built in bookcases, fretwork, kitchen island trim, IKEA wardrobes and more!

Via link in bio now.

#newbuild #hamptonsaustralia #hamptonsnewbuild #fretwork #benchseat #benchseating #fireplace🔥 #fireplacedecor #ikeahacks #diymudroom #mudroom #kidsroomwallpaper #frenchdoors #frenchdoor #hallwaydoors #frenchdoorpantry #butlerspantrydesign #newbuildupgrades
Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or bo Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or boring!

The latest @kaboodlekitchen trends release, in collaboration with stylist @jono.fleming, are anything but. These are just 4 of 6 new colours for the brand, sold in Bunnings.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the others (hint: one of them might be pink! 🩷). You'll also find out how to get a free copy of the latest Kaboodle edit magazine sent to you, chock full of inspiring real projects like my navy laundry!

Which of these is your pick? Would you venture outside of a white kitchen? What colour is yours?

#kaboodlekitchen #kaboodlelaundry #kaboodle #flatpackfurniture #flatpackkitchen #bunningskitchen #flatpackcabinets #budgetkitchen #ontrendkitchens #colourfulkitchen #colouredcabinets #kitchencolourtrends2023 #colourtrends2023 #boldkitchen #jonofleming #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #bunningsdiy #heartyourhome #realreno #realrenovations #kitchenbeforeandafter #kitchenonabudget #colourfullaundry #flatpacklaundry
Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own rug range this week and they're a bit gorgeous! 😍 These are the kind of beautiful, neutral, textured, natural, ethically and sustainably produced rugs that will stand the test of time.

Pop over to the blog via link in bio to read our chat with him.

“I believe in the democratisation of good design,” says Darren, who wanted the rugs to be affordable. “It was very important to me that they were ethically made, and they are all Good Weave certified ensuring that no child labour is involved in their creation."

#darrenpalmer #darrenpalmerofficial #darrenpalmerinteriors #theblock #rugshopping #rugdesign #ruggoals #rugmaking #naturalrugs #sustainablerugs #ethicalrugs #jute #juterug #juterugs #handcarved #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #goodweave
Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost pe Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost perfect score on the Block last night.

Even if their bedsides weren't exactly generous, they were bigger than most last night. What was going on there?!

As ever, love to know your thoughts. See more, read the judges' comments and shop the looks via link in bio now.

#theblockroomreveals
#theblock #theblock2023 #blockshopper #masterbedroomdecor #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #mastersuites #walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realreno
The latest pieces from @mockaaustralia are designe The latest pieces from @mockaaustralia are designed to give your home an endless summer feel ☀️

The Dilllon rattan bedhead is $399, the Blair buffet (swipe) is $469 and (swipe again) the rattan Canyon cabinet is $259.

See more on the homepage now via link in bio.

#rattanlovers #rattan #rattanfurniture #rattandecor #rattanbed #rattanbedhead #timberbuffet #mockaaustralia #mocka #affordablefurniture
My home is not always photoshoot ready, guys! Bu My home is not always photoshoot ready, guys! 

But check out my navy laundry looking perfect in the new issue of @kaboodlekitchen's edit magazine (and the reality!).

Two years on, we're still loving this room!

You'll also see the entertainment unit we created with the same Berry Blue Kaboodle.

Get a free hard copy sent to you (it features many other gorgeous projects using Kaboodle flatpack) or download the digital version via link in my bio now. Enjoy!

#kaboodlekitchen #kaboodle #kaboodlelaundry #flatpack #bunnings #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #barndoor #laundryroomdecor
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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