Rent my style: Anne’s blank canvas house become homely

Here at Interiors Addict, we just don’t buy into the idea that rental homes have to look bland or lacking in style and personality. Rent My Style is dedicated to showcasing the best of our readers’ rental home decorating efforts. They’re not show homes, they’re real homes!

When Anne Ellard stumbled upon her Brisbane townhouse, she knew she had found a gem. Bright, white and full of open space, she saw it as the perfect blank canvas!

“What drew me to the property when we first went to look at it was the fact that everything was white or neutral; white kitchen, white walls and neutral floor tiles. It was the prefect crisp backdrop for our colourful wall art, reclaimed furniture and vintage unique accessories.”

A kitchen designer by trade, Anne has always loved decorating, having constantly rearranged her bedroom furniture from a very young age. Combine this with a very eclectic taste and an appreciation for all design styles and Anne has managed to do what many deem impossible: making a rented house feel homely.

“The addition of artwork on the walls always helps to make a house feel more homely,” explains Anne. “All the photographs on our walls were taken by us so we really feel like we have put our stamp on the place. I’m also a huge fan of cushions and throws, nothing makes a lounge room or bed more homely and cosy than the addition of some comfy cushions!”

Sharing her home with her husband Joe, they both have a passion for DIY projects and designing their own furniture. Their most recent collaboration saw them design and build an entertainment unit in their living room, something Anne marks as her favourite impermanent change to the house.

“We designed and built an entertainment unit to suit the living space in our home. We designed it to fit around a boxed in corner of the wall so that it has more of a built-in look. We loved the idea of having it floating but obviously didn’t have the option of fixing the cabinets to the wall – so we sat the unit on a recessed base and put some LED ribbon lighting underneath which gives it the effect of floating!”

Other successful DIY jobs include both their indoor and outdoor dining room table, the former being Anne’s favourite piece of furniture that she salvaged from kerb side collection. “It was very faded and drab looking when we found it. We sanded it right back, painted the beautiful colonial style legs black and oiled the top. I love real wood and oiling the top has brought out some beautiful tones.”

 

Having a true love affair with furniture, Anne sees one of the benefits of rental decorating being that she can experiment. That she doesn’t have to worry about investing in the expensive pieces that may or may not suit her future home. “We don’t spend as much on furniture and accessories for our rental home as we would if it was our own home,” says Anne. “There’s always that thought in your head that this isn’t your house and the furniture you choose now might not be what you want for your new home when you eventually buy somewhere.”