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What my dear dad taught me about interiors

By Jen Bishop โ€ข

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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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October 21, 2012

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Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) ๐Ÿ˜œ

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: whatโ€™s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that๐Ÿ˜

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜ Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ› Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ›

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing ๐Ÿ˜‚ 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too ๐Ÿฟ because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
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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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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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