Adriane Strampp

Written

Lucy Feagins

Writer

Lucy Feagins

9th of August 2011

The Collingwood home of artist Adriane Strampp. The painting behind the couch is by Adriane. All photos by the amazing Sean Fennessy.

Adriane’s much-loved ‘AGA’ stove! All photos – Sean Fennessy.

Kitchen details

There is something unmistakeably filmic about the home of Melbourne artist Adriane Strampp. Layered with antique furniture, eclectic artwork and an incredible AGA stove (that warms the whole house!), this converted Collingwood warehouse has a sense of history and worldliness that belies the ten years Adriane and daughter Lucy have lived here.

Whilst it’s cosy and full of character now, when Adriane first purchased this warehouse as a shell ten years ago, it was completely empty. On a tight budget, she set about renovating in two stages – the first very rudimentary, with a simple loft and ladder, and a basic kitchen and bathroom. “It was really cute, and we ‘camped’ like that for a few years before taking the roof off to add two proper bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs” she says.

Adriane has approached the design and renovation of her home in the same way she creates her paintings – using a very limited palette and considering the combination of tones, textures, space and light. She’s been careful to retain a real sense of the history of the building, which was once a coat hanger factory, by using industrial and reclaimed materials wherever possible. The courtyard windows came from a local primary school, and the incredible timber beams downstairs from a Docklands pier. She has also recently sourced sheets of rusted perforated mesh for a balustrade – it was once used for drying hops at the brewery up the road!

The heart of Adriane’s home is her amazing AGA kitchen stove! “It’s a place everyone gravitates to when they come in” she says – “It does everything; cooks multiple dishes at the same time, keeps the cat warm, and even does a bit of ironing!”. She also loves the local Neighbourhood. “We’re quite lucky that we’re in a quiet side-street, but just around the corner from busy Smith St, and a short walk to my studio. There are also quite a few good coffee spots nearby, very handy … and I have a small vegetable plot at a community garden nearby” says Adriane.

Adriane works from a wonderful light-filled studio in Fitzroy, just a short walk from her home (pics at the bottom of the post). She runs popular painting classes here on Monday nights and Tuesday mornings – more info here!

Adriane currently has a crush on Berani, the Malayan Tapir at Taronga Zoo! This incredible creature has been the subject of many recent artworks by Adriane, and her work is currently part of ZOO Air – an exhibition of artwork by 20 artists from the Artists in Residence Program at Taronga Zoo. The work will be auctioned in Sydney VERY SOON on August 21st 2011, with all proceeds supporting the Taronga Foundation‘s conservation projects. More info here!

Adriane is also working towards a solo exhibition in Sydney at King St Gallery on William in March 2012.

Huge thanks to Adriane and Lucy for sharing their beautiful home with us! If you love Adriane’s work please do take a moment to check out her website!