Melbourne Home – Fysh and Jacqui Rutherford

Painting/assemblage – Fysh Rutherford, Photographs on left – Diane Arbus.  Collection of Wembly Ware on mantelpiece.

Music room.. swooon.

Music room

David Bromley sculpture in the hallway…

Artwork by Edward Waring

Kitchen.  Assemblage – Fysh Rutherford

Beautiful front garden!

Assemblage paintings in the kitchen / dining area – Fysh Rutherford

OK so I have been sitting on this one for a little while.. saving it up for a rainy day because truth be told, it is SUCH a special and unique family home, I have been a bit overwhelmed by it!   I think it is perhaps the most grand and beautiful home I have ever photographed! *not that I don’t love teeny tiny homes too!

This is the Brighton home of the Jacqui and Fysh Rutherford, their two almost grown-up daughters Lucy and Tilly, and Molly the Spoodle!  Amazingly,  the Rutherfords have lived in their much-loved grand old Victorian home for 17 years!  It’s not surprising they’ve managed to put their creative stamp on the place!

The Rutherfords sure are a creative bunch… Fysh is an Advertising executive and part-time assemblage artist and photographer (he has created many of the artwork you see in these shots), Jacqui is a busy Mum and business co-ordinator at an architectural and building supply firm.. – but her passion (apart from being a Mum!) is interior design and architecture.  The house reflects Jacqui’s tastes, and I must say I love the brave and eclectic choices she has made!  Also, as you know I always feel the need to mention when someone is particularly NICE and I must say Jacqui really is the LOVELIEST lady! She was so happy to let me dash about her home with my camera, even entrusting me at home alone whilst she popped out to the shops during my visit!  Thanks so much Jacqui!

It’s hard to believe that when Fysh and Jacqui bought their home originally it was an unloved rental, decked out in a very tired 60’s renovation of flocked wallpaper, shagpile carpet and raw brick walls, not to mention bright red toilet seats and matching towel rails!  Before moving in, they undertook a major renovation to restore the place to it’s former glory!   A classic combination of white walls and limed floorboards was the perfect backdrop for displaying art, collection and objects of interest.

I love the friendliness of this home – it is so relaxed and seems to perfectly reflect the personalities of those who live here!  Whilst it is of course unmistakeably grand in scale, as you walk from room to room there is no fuss or pretension to it at all… each room seems to strike the perfect balance of classic pieces and fun, eclectic details. I particularly LOVE the kids rooms where Jacqui has done some really fun and creative things… because you know, kids bedrooms are the perfect opportunity to go just a little bit bonkers :)

HUGE thanks to Jacqui and Fysh for sharing their amazing home with us!

Artwork under the stairs!  From left – assemblage – Fysh Rutherford, assemblage – Brett Coelho, Illustration – Angela Stewart.

Pet rocks on the stairs! CUTE!

Pair of paintings above the bed – Ian Bracegirdle.  Marc Pascal pendant lights!

Pair of paintings above the bed – Ian Bracegirdle

Artwork in master bedroom from left  – sculpture – “Linus” by Edward Waring, framed photograph – Mimmo Cozzoline, photograph – Lisa Tomasetti

Artwork in master bedroom – Greg Irvine

Painting/assemblage: Fysh Rutherford, and the AMAZING Corallo Chair by the Campana Brothers.

Tilly’s bedroom – love the world map and globe collection!

Lucy’s bedroom!

Assemblage chair made from ceramic / porcelein in Lucy’s bedroom – Brett Coelho

Close up – assemblage by Brett Coelho

Bathroom details (…can’t seem to photograph a bathroom without making a Hitchcock appearance!)

Pooped pooch!