Jeremy Wortsman
Details from the CBD pad of Jeremy Wortsman ;) Most of the pics in this post were kindly taken for us by Scottie Cameron. Thankyou Scottie!
Jeremy’s dining table – artwork by various Jacky Winter artists, including a particularly special print by webuyyourkids (bottom left)
Jeremy’s much loved Italian Greyhound – Levi!
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the lead up to MAN WEEK – it’s not easy to find a good-looking bachelor pad, people! Luckily for us, Melbourne-based creative Jeremy Wortsman of the Jacky Winter group, who is normally a somewhat ‘private’ person, was uncharacteristically keen on the idea of sharing his stylish city pad with us… phew! Sorted. Thanks Jeremy!
Jeremy bought his tiny Melbourne CBD apartment in 2009. It wasn’t his original goal to end up living in the city, yet there is something about this pad that just seems so perfect for an expat New Yorker – after all, it’s basically like a New York apartment in downtown Melbourne!
When asked why he chose to live in the centre of town, Jeremy says in all honesty, he didn’t really have an option! ‘I always wanted to live somewhere with trees and stuff, but I had been looking forever, and when this came up, I walked in, and I knew it was right within a few seconds’ he says.
Whilst it may not be Jeremy’s ultimate dream home, this fabulous and functional city pad has certainly found a special place in JW’s heart – he’s particularly enamoured with the history of his city block. ‘Apparently, the whole block where I live (Little Bourke to Bourke, between Spencer and King St) was originally owned by Australia Post. Mail would get delivered to the main facility on Spencer street, and from there, all the buildings were connected by pneumatic tubes. Legend (or my real estate agent) has it that my building was one of the ‘tube buildings’. Australia Post still has heaps of their facilities here, including an amazing bicycle depot. If I’m walking home late enough, I spot all the bikes in there ready to go for the morning, like some strange miniature red airplane hanger.’
Jeremy has made very few changes to his apartment since moving in. Although it’s modest in size, the space has awesome high ceilings and industrial features, and was renovated quite tastefully around 10 years ago, so he pretty much left it as is. Of course, as he’s a pop-culture fiend, it’s JW’s eclectic artwork (mostly by Jacky Winter artists) and ephemera that really makes his home special. Jeremy says one of his most treasured pieces is a signed Les Savy Fav poster by webuyyourkids. ‘When I was starting Jacky Winter in 2007, I had that poster framed in this really cheap Ikea job, and never knew who actually did the artwork. One day it fell off the wall and broke – revealing the small ‘WBYK’ stamp on the back. I immediately called them up and they agreed to come on board. Knowing them as people and artists for the last five years has been one of my greatest pleasures. It also convinced me to get all my work properly framed.’
Jeremy lives here with his gorgeous puppy, Levi. Last night I couldn’t remember the poor pup’s name or breed (hopeless) but luckily JW responds to email at all hours, and he reminded me. ‘Levi! He is an italian greyhound and totally amazing.’ Awww. He really, truly, loves that dog :)
JW plans to make a bit of a tree change in the next 6 months or thereabouts, and will be leasing out his city pied-a-terre for short term rental. You can email Jeremy if you’re interested!
Massive thanks to JW for opening the curtains and sharing his man cave with us all! Also to patient photographer Scottie Cameron for his time taking most of these shots – in a space this small it wasn’t easy!
Kitchen details – including Jeremy’s Australian Citizenship certificate – proudly displayed on the fridge!
Jeremy in the kitchen with Levi
‘There is this amazing gigantic faded signwriting in a narrow laneway which you can only see from the apartments on my side of the building.’ says Jeremy. ‘It was painted over twice so you can’t really make it out, but for one hour every day the light hits it in this amazing way and is just one of my favourite sights ever. I would love to know what it originally was.’ Hmmm. I am wondering if perhaps typography sleuth Stephen Banham at Letterbox could help us out with that!?
Balcony details. On the right – an incredible public artwork visible from Jeremy’a balcony, which states Kevin Rudd’s public apology to the Stolen Generations of indigenous Australians, on 13 February 2008.
Cute hanging noticeboard system in the bedroom
Bedroom details. I don’t know why but those ‘Jeremy Workman’ overalls crack me up.
One thing any self respecting bachelor should have in his man cave is a MASSIVE TV. In this case, Jeremy’s entire digital life (computer / TV / everything) is viewable on one large projection screen. Totally amazing.
