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Watercolour house sketches a hit with homeowners

By Jen Bishop •

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Interior designer, stylist and makeup artist Melissa Rettore stumbled across yet another string to her bow when she started doing watercolour hand drawn renders and soon realised people would pay her to sketch their much-loved homes. It’s work she has come to really enjoy because of the personal stories behind the commissions, as well as the fact she’s been obsessed with houses and their details for as long as she can remember.

It’s perhaps no surprise that, as a child growing up in Melbourne, she could be found rearranging her bedroom or madly sketching, and she remembers being as young as seven, making a hobby of walking past houses, spying into bay windows and trying to catch a glimpse of life inside.

A Coburg cottage.

As an adult, she went on to get qualifications in art, teaching and interior design and decorating.

“I’ve always been obsessed with Edwardian charm, California Bungalows, Victorian terraces and Melbourne’s unique Boom Style housing. It was around my fifth year as a primary school teacher that it dawned on me that my favourite part of the school year was during summer break when I would set up the classroom ― organising and styling the space. The penny finally dropped.”

Melissa realised her true calling was in interior design. “Turning a space into a home is what makes me feel content. I love that I have combined my childhood obsession of houses with my instinctual understanding of how people respond to, use, and inhabit a space. Oh, and I happen to have married a carpenter who builds houses for a living. No secret motive there at all, I promise!”

She’s been officially working in the interiors industry for the last three years. “The very first time I presented a design concept, my hand rendered sketch highlighted with watercolour received a great response from my peers and tutors. I suspect this approach offered a personal touch that digitally produced images lack, and captured their attention.

“I began sketching houses to assist with designing colour schemes. What started as a preliminary approach to design planning, led me to develop a unique series of architectural drawings that I now regard as art in themselves. The clients I have designed for have also become the clients I have sketched for.”

She’d already been sketching purely for pleasure for a long time though, largely prompted by her love of nostalgia. “I started to explore my inspiration through an investigation into my childhood. I grew up in Melbourne’s charming suburbs of Coburg, Brunswick, Preston and Reservoir and started sketching memorable houses of my childhood.” This evolved into an exploration of iconic TV houses of her childhood such as Ramsay Street (Pin Oak Court) from Neighbours, Monica’s Apartment from Friends and the McCalister mansion from Home Alone.

Think you recognise it? It’s because you do! The iconic Ramsay Street from TV show Neighbours.

“I love sketching the exterior of houses and places I frequented as a child. I have fond memories of heritage buildings, local pasticierras, Italian restaurants, churches, the family bakery and local businesses,” says Melissa, who admits her home is a shrine to things that remind her of the good times. “I’m a sucker for gorgeous architectural details and ornate houses and over time I’ve allowed myself to become obsessed with drawings and discovering the details within each architectural style.”

Her favourite sketching job is a funny little story. “I had recently taken a screenshot of a gorgeous little kitchen I wanted to sketch, while deep in an Instagram rabbit hole. A few weeks went on, and I had forgotten about the image and started sketching another find. After sharing the sketch on Instagram, it gained the attention of the owner of the original kitchen I was going to sketch. Her name was Jen Bishop.”

[Yes folks, that’s how I got talking to Melissa, and I couldn’t wait to share her work with you all. Of course, Melissa has since sketched that kitchen, my pride and joy, and here it is! You might also recognise my living room above! Jen]

My kitchen, as sketched by Melissa.

Ironically, her own home — contemporary with black structural details, concrete floors and bright white walls — is the complete opposite to the character houses she loves to sketch. “My styling inspo comes from my favourite artist Claude Monet’s Water Lilies. Wherever possible, everything is organised by colour, and I display nostalgic treasures I’ve collected throughout my life. My dream home is a character-filled arts and craft home with a stepped roof, in a leafy suburb. Think gingerbread house meets Alice in Wonderland!”

Among those who have commissioned sketches from Melissa are proud homeowners that have fallen in love with their new space, and people who have recently sold their childhood home and want a keepsake. “Interior designers have used my drawings to help sell their designs, stylists have used them in properties they finesse, and agents have bought them for vendors as settlement gifts,” she says. “I love it when family members buy one for their parents or grandparents, and share with me the stories and history attached to a home.”

A Brunswick exterior.

If you’re interested in getting a sketch of your own home, you can simply send Melissa a photograph, she quotes depending on the amount of detail required, and it’s yours within three weeks. “If there’s a floor plan that you need help visualising, I can sketch the space and assist with a theme and scheme or with the styling and design.” 

If you’re as nostalgic as Melissa you could ask her to, for example, sketch your grandparents’ kitchen from the 70s from a photograph. What a great keepsake or meaningful gift idea!

Sketching a coloured interior starts at $350. Detailed black and white exterior house sketches start at $280 ($350+ for colour) and basic black and white house sketches start at $120. These are provided as digital files or prints. 

For more about Melissa Rettore | Follow her on Instagram

A video tour of Jen’s real life kitchen

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August 12, 2019

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Super proud of our new ebook! Yours free, just he Super proud of our new ebook!

Yours free, just head to the link in my bio.

The idea behind this eBook was to ask all the talented design folk in Jen's little black book to share just one thing that anyone can do in their home to make it look and feel better! 

Because we want EVERYONE to heart their home, no matter their budget and whether they rent or own.

And we got some great names involved, like @gregnatale @darrenpalmerofficial @sally_rhys_jones @julietlove @stevecordony @threebirdsrenovations and many many more!

Love to hear what you think! Existing email subscribers should already have it in their inbox. Enjoy!

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Think you can't have a gorgeous plush white sofa l Think you can't have a gorgeous plush white sofa like these for practical reasons?

WRONG!

These stylish and super comfortable options from @jameslanedesign all have removable slipcovers, some which attach with Velcro for extra ease of taking them on and off. And you can even choose a polyester, viscose and linen blend or 100% linen. And chuck them in the wash at home! There's even an ivory boucle version with fully removable and dry cleanable covers!

And in good news for those in apartments, smaller homes or with tight entries or stairs, two of these are modular which makes moving them is a breeze.

So you CAN have it all! Hoorah!

Do you have a white sofa? Would you get one with removable and washable covers? 

Let's face it, a white sofa is a classic!

Read more about these James Lane sofas on the blog now via homepage link in bio.

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They've long been a household name for their quali They've long been a household name for their quality and stylish taps but now @phoenixtapware have added sinks to their kitchen repertoire!

There's something for all tastes and budgets (matte white or black, brushed black and stainless steel). Find out more via link in bio now.

What colours your kitchen sink? I'd love to know!

#kitchensink #kitchensinks #everythingbutthekitchensink #kitchenmixers #kitchenmixer #kitchentap #kitchentaps #kitchenbench #kitchendesigner #kitchenpalette #kitchenstyles #phoenixtapware #phoenixtaps #tapware #kitchentapware #kitchentrends
Eliza and Liberty's (first pic) was my fave en sui Eliza and Liberty's (first pic) was my fave en suite on #theblock last night. How about you?

Swipe through to see the rest and head to the blog via homepage link in bio to see who did what, what they scored and my picks to shop the look. There was a lot to like if you ask me! And a few fails....

#theblockroomreveals #blockshopper #ensuitedesign #ensuitebathrooms #ensuite #masterensuite #roomreveal #showerscreen #bathroomvanities #bathroomlighting
First time EVER I've woken up at home without thes First time EVER I've woken up at home without these two here (since they were born anyway!) and I don't mind admitting I don't like it one bit!

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Cute outfits for their uncle's wedding yesterday. They scored a first class new auntie in @annoobie_ now official ❤️ Congratulations Dom and Anh.
Did somebody say spring?! 🌼 🌱 ❤️ Here's Did somebody say spring?! 🌼 🌱 ❤️

Here's our @amycollinswalker's picks from the gorgeous new ranges at @linen_house 

All the details on the homepage now via link in bio.

This is giving me Christmas table inspo. How do you decorate your Christmas table? Growing up in the UK it was always traditional green and red but here I go all out fresh and summery!

#springdecor #springdecorating #springdecorations #springdecoration #springdining #springtablescape #springlinen #springbedroom #ginghamcushions #gingham #linenhouse #linenaddict #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #tablelinen #tablecloths
Colour hug, anyone?! A collaboration with design Colour hug, anyone?!

A collaboration with design studio Nexus Designs, this palette from the new @haymespaint colour forecast is perfect for those looking to create a tranquil environment and has a particular focus on darker shades.

“Inspired by the qualities of an intimate reading room, confident and expressive colours such as Florida Everglade have a muted depth that embody this. Balanced and subtle, it’s also invigorating and luscious. Through all over application, paired with contemporary furniture and styling, this colour and the broader palette plays with tactility, translucency, reflection, and form,” says Myra Murtagh of Nexus. 

See the rest of the colour forecast, include collabs with @adairs and TikTok favourites @joshandmattdesign on the blog homepage now, via link in bio.

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Featuring in a Block "disaster" room nevertheless Featuring in a Block "disaster" room nevertheless paid off for artist @adoni.art 

Slammed for being too small, @kyleandleslie's living room was otherwise praised by the judges for being beautifully styled.

"In terms of using it as a marketing platform it’s been amazing," he said. "Even for people who don’t follow the show it’s validation that they are following an artist that’s levelling up. The exposure has translated to sales, traffic and attention and it’s everything I wanted because I’m about to launch a new collection.”

Read our chat with Adoni and see more of his gorgeous work via link in bio now.

Have you ever bought something you saw on the Block?

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Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?! Natas Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?!

Natasha from QLD recently finished a major reno of her Queenslander and this is her favourite room of all. We can see why!

She used @beaumont.tiles  Lux Calcutta slabs in gloss the wall and matt for the floor.

 "We have infused a Hamptons style whilst still remaining true to the traditions of old Queenslanders," she said. "Our bathroom is north west facing and captures such great morning light. We wrapped the cabinetry all the way along the vanity for ease of access for the bath, towels and accessories. We tiled all the way to the ceiling to create a more luxurious space. It's my favourite room in the house!"

#ichosebeaumonts #beaumonttiles #tiles #bathroomtile #bathroomtiling #hamptonsbathroom #queenslanderrenovation #queenslanderbathroom #luxurybathroom #australianbathroom #australianbathrooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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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 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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