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Real homes: Stylist Georgia Duncan’s imperfect apartment with heart

August 26, 2020 1 Comment

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Georgia Duncan may be a stylist but that doesn’t mean her own Melbourne home is picture perfect at all times. And she’s totally okay with that! Living above her favourite coffee spot in the middle of Richmond’s high street, she has surrounded herself with objects that she holds dear while also managing to keep things clutter-free.

And, most importantly, how her home makes her feel is everything to Georgia, who lives there with her partner Jack and their dog. “It is by no means perfect and never will be, but I love it.”

They’ve lived in the 2.5-bedroom 1880s above-shop apartment since 2014, renovating one of the bathrooms, replacing lights and painting throughout.

Georgia’s home studio space

Georgia describes her style as eclectic, calm and in many parts โ€˜half-minimalistโ€™. “I like to layer pieces within my styling work, however at home, I find I really need the space to be organised and clutter-free! Especially when the same four walls are staring back at me 24/7 (hello 2020)! It is vital that I feel relaxed in my home.”

The studio

She adds: “I am very lucky to have some amazing storage; this is a game changer. I have lots of indoor plants and bringing the outdoors in does so much for your mental health! And I am never without a fresh bunch of flowers; they add colour and vibrancy to an otherwise simple space.”

The 28-year-old surrounds herself with special pieces, some with sentimental value and some which she has collected because she loves and appreciates their design. “My mum passed away when I was 13, and prior to that, every birthday she would give me a keepsake item. Because of this, I have artwork, vintage meat-safes, an antique Japanese writer’s chest and other things.

“I inherited the chest of drawers in my bedroom, which my mum moved out of home with at around 20 years old. My desk is a kitchen table which was my great aunt’s farmhouse table, and my dining table is the one I grew up eating around. Most of my artwork I have had re-framed; new life into gorgeous older pieces inherited from my maternal grandparents and my parents.”

Other favourites include a set of secondhand Cesca dining chairs, her Melbourne made Heimur bed base and an Objekto Paulistano armchair from the days when she worked at Hub Furniture. The Aboriginal art in her bedroom was bought while visiting her brother in Alice Springs.

While the character of the apartment, the first home she’s owned, has dictated how she has decorated, Georgia says she was lucky she already had so many vintage pieces. She loves its high ceilings, fireplaces and spacious rooms.

“The pieces I have added in are all classic, yet fresh and fun, and in many cases, in keeping with what I already own. However, with the bathroom renovation I went all out modern for a harsh juxtaposition. I hope to put a rooftop on soon, and do a similar thing.”

As someone who dislikes driving, living on a high street suits Georgia down to the ground! “Being able to roll out of home, to the cafe, supermarket or bar is heavenly! I am also known for my ability to sleep at any stage, so the hustle and bustle below my bedroom window doesn’t bother me.

“I like to think everyone feels welcome here. I have friends all over the city, making my home the perfect central meeting hub. I love being safely curled up in the comfort of my home and knowing there is so much happening just downstairs. FOMO is rare here!”

Georgia Duncan

Georgia studied Interior Design at RMIT but found that styling was her favourite part of the process. “I love everything to do with architecture and design, but it has to be the icing on the cake; the final finishings, styling and sourcing of objects, art, soft and hard furnishings, that I absolutely adore! I work a few days a week from home, and usually on a few photoshoots in one week.

“My home workspace is simple. I need it to be tidy and simplistic so I can spread samples and ideas out everywhere for specific projects and not be sidetracked by other objects and colours. I have a cabinet full of props right next to my desk, and a little reading nook, where I catch up on all my favourite magazines and blogs.”

Along with Jack, a builder, Georgia dreams of one day buying and renovating a ‘shack’ or farm outside Melbourne. “I fancy the idea of growing flowers, a vegetable garden and chooks, but not too much land that we canโ€™t look after. I dream of my own studio, storage for all my props and he dreams of a shed full of all his tools and toys to make the reno happen!”

But for now, they’re more than happy living the inner city life.

Georgia’s tips for making your home FEEL nicer

  1. There is something about natural light. You cannot create it. If you do not have a lot of it, fill your home with mirrors, light objects and warmth in textures and colours. I am so lucky that my home is north-facing in the Southern Hemisphere (this is by no means an accident; it was a must on my list of house non-negotiables).
  2. Where possible, do not purchase pieces that are โ€™on trendโ€™ and very importantly (if you ask me) invest in pieces you will keep for a long time, not for yesterday and today. And do invest, although I donโ€™t shy away from an IKEA piece as needed! Only purchase pieces you really love.ย 
  3. In terms of comfort, I do not want to be too obvious, but ensure your home is welcoming (both for you and for when guests are allowed to visit)! I often have a scented candle lit, a fire in winter, fresh flowers, a cuppa or glass of wine on hand and without a doubt can whip up a platter without much notice!ย 

The current Melbourne lockdown has made Georgia appreciate her home more than ever. “I am so fortunate to have a roof over my head at minimum, and not just a roof but a space I feel both safe and comfortable and also love to be in.

“Do not get me wrong, it has taken me the five-plus years I have lived here to create this. I am a strong believer in creating a home. As humans we move into a house, and over time you turn it into a home.”

For more on Georgia Duncan

Follow her on Instagram

Photography: Emma Pegrum | Styling by Georgia, assisted by Emma Hirst (Phy Design).

Sentimental homes: why they can make us happier
Interior designer Sarah Yarrow, believes that displaying sentimental objects is important and can have a positive affect on our wellbeing. And we wholeheartedly agree! Here, she shares her tips: Why incorporate sentimental items…

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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!).

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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.

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Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

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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˜†

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

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Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

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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 

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

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

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
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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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Comments

  1. AvatarArthur K says

    August 30, 2020 at 6:17 am

    I like the amount of natural light coming into the apartment.

    Reply

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