Kirsty Davey and family

The Jan Juc home of Kirsty Davey and family.  VALLA Surfboard, shaped by Kirsty and Simon's friend Sage Joske. 'Rats in a Bottle' deck artwork (above doorway), Antique Balinese Tapestry.  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining room.  'Great Ocean Road' photograph by Anita Beaney. 'Anita is a good friend & we love her use of photography to achieve a painterly feel' says Kirsty.  Vintage Record Stand from The Mill Market Daylesford.  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dreamy round kitchen window!  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kirsty at her work station in the master bedroom.  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Instagram works in mysterious ways.  Over summer you may recall we ran our 'Best of Australian Homes' series, and re-visiting the amaaaaazing Brisbane home of artist Adam Lester and family.  Subsequently, I instagrammed a shot of Adam's home, and mentioned just how photogenic a home with timber panelling is!  AND wouldn't ya know it, a few more timber-panelled homes found their way onto my radar that week!  I think instagram is basically the modern day equivalent of 'manifesting' ones dreams.  Ask instagram what your heart desires, and somehow it will find you.  It worked for me! Anyway, I digress.  In addition to amazing timber panelling, this fabulous beachy family home in Jan Juc on Victoria's surf Coast has a few eclectic details going on!  First off - check out the carpet! Kirsty Davey rents this home with her partner Simon Taylor and 2 years old Mali - they've been here four years.  She says there's a lot about the home she wouldn't necessarily have chosen herself (including that carpet!), but somehow, the mish mash of textures and colours really do work to create a relaxed, rambling family home. Although they're renting, Kirsty and Simon have been lucky enough to work with their landlord to make a few minor cosmetic changes to personalise their home.  'We've been lucky tenants and had the creative freedom to paint rooms where they needed updating, and plant a sizeable veggie patch' says Kirsty.  'Harvesting our own fruit & veg has expanded our love & knowledge of good food'. Before moving here, Kirsty and family previously lived in Yarraville in Melbourne. Simon's love of surfing brought them to Jan Juc originally, but four years on, Kirsty says she can't imagine moving back into town anytime soon.  The relaxed, easy way of life here really suits this young family - they love having a big garden, a vegetable patch and easy access to the beach. 'We're surrounded by loads of windows allowing natural light into almost every room'  says Kirsty, when asked what she loves most about living here. 'Our leafy green outlook and little view of the ocean is pretty special. Our white timber walls also provide a beautiful canvas for decorating - and the original retro features give the house a sense familiarity and nostalgic charm.  Oh, and we're only 5 minutes away from the beach & great surf!'  Ok. I get it!  I'm sold! Big thanks to Kirsty and co for sharing their home with us today!  I should also say, Kirsty has a fab little blog of her own called Otis & Otto! She has an incredible sense of style, and sources the most amazing things for her home and for Mali both in shops and online... well worth checking out!

Dining room.  'Great Ocean Road' photograph by Anita Beaney. Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Vintage 1970's 'Wurlitzer' Organ, from Lost & Found (when it was in Collingwood!).  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen details.  Mud Ceramics Carafe & Cups. Original Picquot 'K3' Kettle... one of Kirsty's most coveted pieces!  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen details.  How amazing is that window!  'Sullivans Cove' Giclee print by Dawn Tan.  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Smeg Fab 28 Refrigerator - 'a wedding present from my Mum!' says Kirsty!  THANKS MUM!  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Simon's office. Chilli Surfboard. Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Pop & Scott 'Thinking Swing' - 'My new favourite! Whimsical & enjoyed by everyone!' says Kirsty!  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Guest bedroom - regularly in use by a stream of city-based friends!  Antique Wall Hanging bought at Lost Ark in Williamstown.  Photo - Brooke Holm, Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living room.  Original 'Oke' 1970's single fin surfboard, Danish rosewood coffee table from Grandfathers Axe in Northcote, Danish 4 seater leather sofa from Angelucci 20th Century, Marimekko cushion. Stämpel Studio plant vessel on mantle.  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom - the quirky sloped ceiling means Kirsty and Simon have learnt to crouch whilst getting in and out of bed! Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Mali's bedroom door.  Antique plant stand from Coastal Trader in Portarlington.  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Mali's room.  'Down to the Woods' Freckle Rug & Vintage Table & Chairs Set found at The Mill Markets, Geelong.  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Mali's collection of vintage books & trinkets.  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Back shed!  (surfboard storage!).  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Mali swings high above the vegetable patch!  (Dont worry Simon is just out of frame on the right!).  Photo - Brooke Holm, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.