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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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What my dear dad taught me about interiors

October 21, 2012

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Nothing.ย Yup, not a thing. Definitely not.

He did, indirectly and unintentionally however, turn me into the house proud neat freak I am today. He was here visiting from the UK last week and it got me thinking how our attitudes to home and how we live are shaped by how we are brought up as children. Don’t you think so?

Me and my dad

I grew up in a single parent family: my dad, my younger sister and I. As the eldest of two, I couldn’t help, once I became a teenager, but take on the female role of housewife, being neither wife nor adult.

I suggested home improvements to my dad, I tidied up after him and my younger sister, I bought flowers and arranged them. The problem was, neither him or my sister cared what the house looked like. It was often a tip. In hindsight, my dad worked full-time as a pilot and my sister was a kid, so it’s no surprise. And my dad, like many middle-aged men, had just about zero interest in colour schemes and the latest furniture trends.

I however, did. So when my dad didn’t agree to implement my ideas, I went ahead and implemented them myself. Could I paint well as a teenage girl? Um, no. But I thought I could. And one night when Dad was taking one of his two-hour baths I started painting the living room. When he came downstairs to find me halfway done, it was a case of too late!

I think he decided to let me loose on a complete overhaul of my own bedroom to confine my efforts to less communal areas! I very clearly remember how much I loved that room: matching curtains and cushions (cringe!) in navy fabric with gold stars, a brand spanking new blue carpet (shudder), yellow pine furniture (say no more), a director’s chair at my new desk and plenty of sun and moon-inspired accessories. I loved that nineties room.

Fast forward to 2012 and here I am writing an interior design blog. I am obsessed with all things interiors and always have been, ever since I got my own place at 18 and had control over how it looked. I am absolutely CONVINCED I am the neat freak I am because I grew up in a ย family home so messy I was often embarrassed for people to come round. Now I LOVE having people over but I am uber house proud and would hate if someone popped by unannounced and found my place a mess.

Plenty of my girlfriends tell me they are affected by their mothers’ attitudes to housework. One folds all her washed linen just so because that’s what her mum did. Another is messy because her family were always messy and it doesn’t bother her. So, how was your home growing up and do you think it influenced how you keep your own house as a grown up?

PS. Yes, I am missing my Dad and any excuse to blog about him…. and yes, I still LOVE navy.

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarJasmine says

    October 21, 2012 at 11:53 am

    Hi Jen, what a cute post! I definitely think how I grew up has influenced how I am in my own house now. My mum is quite fussy with her house, and I am to a degree. I can’t stand mess, but with two small children, and a husband that can stand mess, I have to just tolerate mess! And it’s bloody hard. I love interiors too, but have made quite a few blunders along the way, but that’s ok, parts of my house I just absolutely love and others I cringe at. All in all, I do love my little house. Thanks for your great blog, I am keen reader and follow you on FB and instagram as well. Keep doing what you love x Happy Sunday

    • Avatarinteriorsaddict says

      October 21, 2012 at 11:55 am

      Thanks for the kind words, Jasmine! I think we either become like our parents or rebel and do the opposite! You have eXACTLY the right attitude to home, keep it up ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. AvatarLouisa says

    October 21, 2012 at 11:54 am

    my folks both worked down stairs in their own biz, a pub. I was up stairs, in the laundry. I would set up the dryer with a cloth, little vase of flowers – I don’t know why, but I just needed it to be nice for when I worked. Our home was often messy, my folks worked very hard, we did have cleaning ladies, but in between visits it was a tip. I would re-arrange furniture, and do things my house proud Nanna would do. Everything was just so. Now I’m always working, and the house is a tip, except after the cleaning lady has been. Totally turned into my mother, eek! A very sweet post, thanks so much for sharing x

    • Avatarinteriorsaddict says

      October 21, 2012 at 11:55 am

      Love it, Louisa! Makes me feel like I wasn’t the only strange houseproud child ๐Ÿ˜‰

  3. AvatarDavid Wang says

    October 21, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    That’s a really sweet post Jen. Glad that you have such a great relationship with your dad and thanks for sharing a little glimpse into your personal life. I would never have guessed you’re into navy, since you’re always using pink on your blog ๐Ÿ˜›

    • Avatarinteriorsaddict says

      October 21, 2012 at 3:55 pm

      Navy and pink go very well together, you know! Now you’re giving me ideas…

  4. AvatarCorinna Musgrave says

    October 21, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    I really enjoyed this warm and engaging article and could identify with quite a few elements. Cringe!
    I absolutely thought yellow and blue combos were the absolute height of sophistication in the early nineties ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Avatarinteriorsaddict says

      October 21, 2012 at 11:10 pm

      Thanks Corinna, glad you enjoyed it!

  5. AvatarKate says

    October 23, 2012 at 10:07 am

    Hahaha! Love your post. I too was allowed to to “makeover” my own room at 14. Blue walls, light blue trim and the absolute kicker? Yellow ceiling. My poor parents still have that room just as I did (matching yellow curtains and blue light fitting included.) I think that while they detest the colours (and keep reminding me about it!) a they’re just a little sentimental about that room. Plus they can tease me mercilessly about it whenever we do more “tasteful” renos to our current home!

  6. AvatarWendy says

    October 23, 2012 at 10:12 am

    Hi Jen,
    As a fellow pom I know how hard it is to say bye! Just think of all the quality time you had and keep blogging about him it’s lovely to hear! Sounded like you had a fab time x
    Wendy

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