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      Australiaโ€™s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
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Meet Gold Coast electrician-turned-artist, Christopher Broome

May 17, 2017 Leave a Comment

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It’s always exciting to discover an artist at the beginning of their career, especially when you find out they’ve made a big leap of faith to follow their passion. Such is the case with 31-year-old Christopher Broome, a Gold Coast electrician who decided he would rather live a more creative life, largely inspired by his mother Karen, fiancee Mel, and young daughter Chelsea. I now have two pieces of Christopher’s work hanging in my home and they make me so happy I was keen to learn more about the man behind the paintbrush.

“I knew I loved art from a young age, but I only recently realised I wanted to do it as a career,” says Christopher, who made the big switch last year. “As a kid, I wanted to be a comic book illustrator, so I was always sketching people and simple backdrops. Then I decided I wanted to do animation and joined art class when I got to high school. They didnโ€™t teach any of that there but thatโ€™s where I learned the basics of painting! Then, once I was out of high school I pretty much stopped cold turkey and got a full-time job, so painting was just something I did in my downtime.”

Christopher became anย electrician, working 60-hour weeks. He and Mel had completely renovated their house, leaving them with a lot of bare walls to fill, so he picked up his paintbrush again. “I just got really fired up to paint again so once we sold it, we basically got in a position where I could take the chance at doing art as my career and I havenโ€™t looked back. Although I do want another reno project too now!” Becoming a dad to Chelsea has also kept him busy and he’s loving the flexibility his new career affords him to spend time with her.

He definitely still considers himself an emerging artist and while her admits he’s still experimenting with various styes, he can’t imagine ever sticking to just one. “Iโ€™m still learning a lot and always ask a lot of questions to hone my skills. Abstract work is especially new to me, because I started out doing illustrations, but I feel like I have the most fun with it.ย I think my biggest challenge is I have too many thoughts running through my head so itโ€™s hard to just stay on one path and try to express how I feel, but thatโ€™s the beauty of being able to work on multiple pieces at once!”

The ladies in his life have been a huge inspiration to Christopher. Almost losing his mum a few years ago, really made him realise that life could be short and you should give it your best shot. “My fiancee Mel encourages and supports every hair-brained idea I come up with and sheโ€™s always behind the scenes, helping me achieve the things I want to. She also has no problems telling me rethink an idea or colour choice!”

As for little Chelsea,ย she makes him want to be a very present dad. “Being able to work out of a studio from home gives me that ability. Her personality and spirit give me a lot of inspiration too. The series ‘Peaceful By Name’ is just like her, beautiful to look at but still plenty of chaotic elements!

“Women influence me by being some of the greatest supporters in my life. I wouldnโ€™t exist without my mum and I wouldnโ€™t be where I am today without my own family. My ‘Luxurious Ladies’ series started when we found out Mel was pregnant. Women really are amazing and what they go through to carry children is just mind-blowing. So I guess I just wanted to recognise the female form and based them off women that I think are positive role models for today’s youthโ€ฆ Iโ€™m not going to tell you who though!”

While the Gold Coast art scene is full of talented artists and galleries, Christopher says it’s definitely a smaller community compared to Melbourne and Sydney. He has recently started to sell a lot of work via his Instagram and says having a strong social media presence is important and like having anย online gallery without the wine and cheese platter. “Social media’s reach is immeasurable. My artwork is now in Tassie, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast, and Iโ€™ve had commission requests from London and LA too. It’s really up there as a marketing and sales tool.”

He describes theย bulk of his work as energetic. “Then I have the pieces that are deeper tones with subtle highlights that are more moody. Iโ€™m not sure how to describe them. But I love trying to get an emotion into the work so you feel something when you look at it.”

Christopher’s inspired by fellow artistsย Tania Blanchard, Michael Bond, Marnie McKnight, Ruchi Rai and Jennifer Lia. “Itโ€™s like I find a new one every day!”

So, what’s a day in the life of a full-time artist and new father working from home really like? “Balance is probably the biggest challenge, but we have a good routine which I think helps a lot. Iโ€™m usually up first and get a couple of layers down across a few canvases and then take over dad duties while Mel gets ready. We basically tag in and out for the rest of the day while I order materials and do some marketing and Mel runs the rest of the house and reminds me to eat and stay hydrated!
She does an amazing job as Mum though, it’s just so natural for her which makes focusing on my work much easier. The advantages are exactly what you would think they are; we get to hang out as a family much more, even while Iโ€™m painting we can have a chat. We always try to keep the weekend free though so we donโ€™t forget to have a break and just enjoy being parents and spending time with friends.”

Most of Christopher’s sales are online, the rest come from retail. “I will post a picture of a completed piece on Instagram and it can be instantly sold because of how much people use their social media. Art isย definitely more accessible now. Again, I think we have social media to thank for that, because basically anyone with an Instagram account or internet connection can see what you are creating day to day and can be more involved in the process. This brings the masses into the art world rather than it being a kind of closed off industry like it has in the past. I also think being able to create prints of artwork has been great because itโ€™s so affordable. Limiting the number of prints so the piece is still somewhat exclusive is a great idea, and then, for those with bigger budgets, there is always the original. Nothing beats having an original piece, but having people just enjoy the work is the main thing.”

He says art can be the icing on the cake of your interior. “Personally, Iโ€™m a big fan of a simple home thatโ€™s kind of a blank canvas with the colours and softness of the home coming from the interior styling. That way your home can always adapt to the changes in your style without needing to literally renovate.”

Follow Christopher on Instagram | Buy his work online at Design Twins or Blue Thumb

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Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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#creatingbeautifulspaces #homestylingdesign
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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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