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Real homes: Jenny McCown’s happy and colourful Queenslander

September 24, 2015 12 Comments

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By Rachael Honner

From the Street, Jenny McCown’s home is a hidden gem amongst the palms that surround the front veranda. It isn’t until you step through the lattice threshold and see her bright pink front door that you become aware of the beauty and flair that lies within this unique abode.

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It has been decorated with well-travelled collections, cool vintage and country glam aesthetics, where the colours pink and blue seamlessly tie the whole home together.

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Jenny is an artist, a recent empty nester who shares her four-bedroom East Brisbane Queenslander with a family who frequently come and go. East Brisbane is an older suburb with many original Queenslander homes; it has a strong community spirit which is made up of both long term residents and new.

Perched on the slope of a hill, Jenny’s home was originally built in 1905 by a grazier for his three daughters to live in. Jenny bought the home in late 2009 because it was simply the only house she could imagine herself really living in.

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Jenny’s paintings often capture the magic of her colourful home, where flowers bloom inside beautiful vintage jugs placed on bright coloured tablecloths or well-loved stools. A collection of bright coloured artworks, including her own pieces, adorn the home’s walls.

Jenny and her family were keen to keep the original character and style of the home therefore preservation has been an important focus. Jenny also prefers to reuse and recycle where possible, opting to update the home by painting the interior entirely white with Dulux Fair Bianca, including the original silky oak kitchen.

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They also upgraded the hardware in the kitchen and bathrooms. The open plan kitchen/dining area was transformed by adding a black and white linoleum floor.

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Jenny’s decorating style is instinctual; she deliberately chooses to decorate with pieces that speak to her sentimental or emotional sides. She styles her home with happiness in mind, literally by layering her home with a varied range of treasured possessions that make her smile.

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In the main bedroom is a gallery of sentimental artworks and trinkets; three artworks are particularly special to her because they were creations of her boys when they were little.

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Jenny’s passion is colour and is particularly fond of bright shades of pink; the front door (before you ask!) is painted in Dulux Lickedy Lick.

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Styling by Rachael Honner | Photography by Hannah McCawley

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Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world! 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to your projects that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful 🙏
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love 🤗

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps 🤕

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 (🤪) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a 🍷

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!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
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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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.

🦘🐨Forget 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 makers🙏

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! 💧 

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!🤗

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 🥴) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon 😆

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!💪🏻) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too 😉

#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.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarEmma Flint says

    September 24, 2015 at 7:57 pm

    Wonderful story Rach xx

    Reply
    • AvatarRachael says

      September 25, 2015 at 11:50 am

      Thanks Em. Enjoyed this project so much!

      Reply
  2. AvatarLauren Carey says

    September 25, 2015 at 12:18 am

    A Gorgeous “real” home shared beautifully by Jenny, Rachael & Hannah.

    Reply
    • AvatarRachael says

      September 25, 2015 at 11:52 am

      Adore the character found in this beautiful home Lauren. It’s a stunner

      Reply
  3. AvatarSarah @ Tomfo says

    September 27, 2015 at 7:37 am

    I adore that pink door. Just gorgeous, my other favourite thing is that table cloth on the outside deck, I love the personality in this home.

    Reply
    • AvatarRachael says

      September 28, 2015 at 1:13 am

      I love that tablecloth too Sarah! x

      Reply
  4. AvatarMaxabella says

    October 12, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    This is such a beautiful home, captured so well. x

    Reply
    • AvatarRachael says

      February 15, 2016 at 6:36 pm

      Thanks Bron. Hannah did such a gorgeous job of the photography!

      Reply
  5. AvatarJudith Honig says

    February 4, 2017 at 9:11 am

    Hi Jenny,
    I am following Anna Spiro and have seen some of your work in her photos. I wonder if I can purchase art from you. Don’t know whether you sell original art or prints. Please let me know if it is possible, costs, etc. I am most enamored by Pink Ginger, Camelias, Tulips and Winter Bouquet. Thank you for your help. I live in the United States. Can purchase through Pay Pal.. Judith

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      February 4, 2017 at 9:55 am

      Hi Judith, probably best to contact Anna direct via her website: http://www.blackandspiro.com.au/ We agree her work is gorgeous! Jen

      Reply
    • AvatarJennifer McCown says

      March 11, 2019 at 1:42 pm

      Hi Judith

      Thank you for your enquiry. Anna no longer stocks my work but you can contact/buy from me direct. You can contact me on my website: http://www.jennymccown.com

      Regards Jenny

      Reply

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  1. Interiors Addict Story – Real homes: Jenny McCown’s happy and colourful Queenslander | Hip Brown Home – Interior Stylist / Prop Stylist / Interiors Blogger / Prop Sourcing / Accessories Hire /Hip Brown Home - Interior Stylist / Prop Stylist says:
    September 24, 2015 at 10:17 am

    […] wrote a story for Jen over at Interiors addict – It is about a beautiful home belonging to artist, Jenny McCown. It really is the most […]

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