Homes

Jacqueline Fink of Little Dandelion

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Writer
Lucy Feagins
5th of June 2012
The Sydney home of Jacqueline Fink and family .  Painting in hallway - Mud Flats at Spencer by Joshua Yeldham.  Photos by Rachel Kara, styling / production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Cat / Butterflies painting by David Bromley.  Painting in gilt frame by Joseph-Desire Court (1833!).  Hand knit shrug on chair by Jacqueline / Little Dandelion.  Photos by Rachel Kara, styling / production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Front entrance, amazing curved wall (!!) and view to lounge / dining room.  Painting in gilt frame by Joseph-Desire Court (1833!). Photos by Rachel Kara, styling / production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

For our winter inspired week, it seemed fitting to share the home of extreme knitter Jacqueline Fink of Little Dandelion!  Jacqueline shares this beautiful home with husband Eric and their three children, Jasper (10), Remy (8) and Elodie (5). The family moved from Sydney's squishy Eastern Suburbs to this generous block, perched on a hillside in Clontarf overlooking the water - Jac says they were craving a less frenetic life.  Mind you, they've brought a little chaos with them - with a small menagerie of pets and three energetic kids, it is a very noisy, spirited and busy household - 'just ask the neighbours!' say Jac!

This charming, supremely pretty family home was built in 1940 - it still has many original features which Jac is fond of, including original fireplaces, an almost untouched kitchen and bathroom, and sweet details such as bakelite light switches throughout.  And then there are those amazing deco-inspired curves!  Whilst they haven't made any major structural renovations, Jac and Eric were keen to give the house a fresh bright paintjob soon after moving in.  'My husband and I LOVE white so we painted the walls and the floorboards white - that's it!' says Jac.

Jac says the house has a lovely energy about it - 'It really is a happy home ... you just know that it has been witness to much happiness and love over the years' she says. 'It's also solid, unpretentious and beautiful in it's simplicity.  And, I should add, the view is to die for'.  I second that - check out the pics below!  The home overlooks the Spit Bridge between Mosman and Seaforth so Jac says it's a really active view. 'We also have a great vantage point to watch the weather roll in.  And then there's the sunsets...!'. Awww man. So good. Sydney really sparkles when you have a water view!

Another treasured feature of this home for Jac is the relaxed local neighbourhood.  'Before we moved here, many of our friends from the Eastern Suburbs taunted that we were moving to the dark side' says Jac.  'I've got one thing to say to them - the Northern Beaches totally rocks!'.  Jac says she loves the sense of community in Clontarf, and being connected to the outdoors.  'Eric loves fishing - he often disappears for a couple of hours and comes back with dinner caught down at Clontarf Reserve. We do the Seaforth to Manly Scenic walk with the children of a weekend; it's a wonderland out there. The views are incredible, the harbour is so clear and the flora and fauna is so beautiful. We have also been blessed with terrific neighbours. It's all good :)'.

Thanks so much to Jac and her family for sharing their beautiful home with us today!

Painting above couch by Cherry Hood.  'We love art and have used treasured pieces to offset the bright white walls and floors' says Jac.  Hand knit blanket on couch by Jacqueline / Little Dandelion.  Photos by Rachel Kara, styling / production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Loungeroom details.  Painting by Fiona Greehill, lamp is an original Jielde.  Photos by Rachel Kara, styling / production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Dining room and a hint of that VIEW!  Photos by Rachel Kara, styling / production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Sweet mini sculptures on dresser in entrance hall by Kendal Murray.  Rosellas on the balcony expertly captured by Rachel Kara!
That view!  Not bad. Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Master bedroom -another beautiful Little Dandelion knit blanket on the bed.  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Hugo the dog naps in the master bedroom!  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Bedroom / hallway details.  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Beautiful master bedroom details.  Eames 'La Chaise' chair, antique mirror, Better World Arts cushions available from Koskela.  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Kitchen details.  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Girls' bedroom - painting above dresser by Lauren Potts.  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Jacqueline's home studio - textile heaven! Tiny sea horse painting by Andrew Sullivan.  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Little Dandelion details.  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Little Dandelion studio.  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Studio details.  Painting on mantle by Joshua Yeldham.  Photos by Rachel Kara, production by Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

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