Homes

The Brunswick Home Of Lucy Feagins & Gordon Johnson

So, today is a big day!  I’ve been running The Design Files for over 6 years now, and posting Australian Homes stories for 5 of those years… and in all that time, I‘ve never shared my own home with you!

It’s a bit daunting, but I’m finally throwing open the curtains today… welcome to the little house I share with my partner Gordon Johnson in Brunswick! (Agghh.. please be kind!).

Written
by
Lucy Feagins

Living room details including limited edition Florence Broadhurst print, Nook couch by Jardan, Diesis coffee table by Antonio Citterio /B&B Italia, vintage Japanese chest of drawers, triangular trivet by Sands Made, candle by Tom Dixon, Angle 2.0 table lamp by Douglas & Bec, and rug by Loom Rugs. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Open plan living dining area with ‘White Shadows’, 2013, oil on linen by Emily Ferreti from Sophie Gannon Gallery, Iko dining table by Jardan, vintage Herman Miller shell dining chairs from The Junk Company, timber platter from Mark Tuckey, porcelain vase by David Pottinger, stoneware vessel by Valerie Restarick at Craft Victoria, multi-coloured plate by Jennie Jieun Lee from Mr Kitly. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Open living plan looking into the dining and kitchen areas including rug from Loom Rugs, Alby leather ottoman by Jardan, Iko dining table by Jardan, vintage Herman Miller shell dining chairs and vintage Eames plywood chair from The Junk Company, Emily Ferreti painting from Sophie Gannon Gallery, teal fruit bowl from Industria. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen details – French Jielde wall mounted lamp, ‘Fuck Yeah’ painting, 2011 by Lucas Groganbought at The Design Files Open House 2011, terracotta fruit bowl by Joost, speckled mug by Dress Up x Takeawai collaboration and Sarah Schembri ceramics all from Craft Victoria, teatowel by Making Good, Kink oil bottle from Jam Factory and Alessi stainless steel salt canister. Large textured grey tile for splashback by Patricia Urquiola from Urban Edge Ceramics in Richmond.  Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Me and Gordy! Vintage Japanese set of drawers, Angle 2.0 table lamp by Douglas & Bec, Iko dining table by Jardan, vintage Herman Miller shell dining chairs and vintage Eames plywood chair from The Junk Company, and Emily Ferretti painting from Sophie Gannon Gallery. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living room details including Nook couch by Jardan, limited edition Florence Broadhurst print, rug from Loom Rugs, Diesis coffee table by Antonio Citterio / B&B Italia from Space, and Dinosaur Designs tableware. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Diesis coffee table by Antonio Citterio / B&B Italia from Space, with MadeMeasure for The Design Files Open House 2013 leather iPad case, white shallow plate by Anchor Ceramics, various resin tableware by Dinosaur Designs, Nathalie Du Pasquier coaster from Third Drawer Down, and glass by Marimekko. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom details including vintage French posters by Rene Gruau from Galerie Montmartre, bed and bedside table custom built by Gordon Johnson, cushion covers from Country Road, butterfly throw quilt by David Bromley. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom details including custom built cabinetry by Gordon Johnson, paper sculptural artwork by Nicholas Jones, Kirra Jamison artwork on paper from her Loop series. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Our back studio aka The Design Files HQ, where I spend two thirds of my life! Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Studio details including custom built table by Gordon Johnson, vintage Eames office chairs, ‘Happiness I’, 2010 limited edition print by David Band, artwork by Kate Tucker, Trashkova gold bin by Boqil, watermelon Olba side table by Jardan. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Studio bathroom.  Custom mirror built by Gordon Johnson, egg cup stool by Mark Tuckey and terrarium by Miniscapes. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

‘Let’s Get Married’, 2013 by Lucas Grogan (VERY special piece commissioned by Gordy last year), Otto bench by Jardan, and my all time favourite handbag by 3.1 Phillip Lim from The Corner Store in Sydney. Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Our front deck with a very dear vintage chair salvaged from my days set dressing in the film industry, with an especially lush front garden maintained with help from my Mum! Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Our little home! Photo – Eve Wilson, styling / production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
19th of March 2014

I can’t quite explain why, but from the age of about 20 I was obsessed with the idea of buying a place of my own. I was probably the world’s most boring and sensible uni student, working every weekend and public holiday with this goal firmly in mind.  I actually lived with my Mum until I was 27 (!!) because I was so intent on saving my pennies.

In 2007, after many months of house hunting, and several unsuccessful attempts, all the stars aligned, and we bought this sweet little cottage at auction. The house had previously belonged to a little old lady, who had moved into a nursing home.  It was in pretty good condition, but the interior was quite, ah… beige.  Beige walls, beige carpet, beige tiles, and a very 70’s kitchen.  Oh, and the toilet was outside – at the bottom of the garden!

Gordy threw himself into the challenge, and whilst I quietly freaked out, he just got on with the task at hand!  He started with the floors, ripping up the carpet up in one weekend.  With the help of a bunch of lovely friends, the walls were painted, the floors were stained dark and polished, and that was all we could afford to do at first. Over the next few years we tackled the rest.

About 12 months in we ripped out the bathroom and renovated it, and finally had our toilet put inside – joy!  At the 3 year mark Gordon built us a brand new kitchen, and knocked out the dividing wall to open the kitchen up to the living area.  And about 18 months ago my dream project was finally completed – a studio in the back garden, giving TDF a proper home, and allowing me to work with staff and collaborators much more efficiently.  I love working from home, it really works for me… but I must say, it is also really good to have that teeny tiny bit of separation between ‘work’ and ‘home’ (about 3 metres to be precise!).

You’ll probably spot lots of familiar things here – lots of favourite local designers and artists are well represented!  Of course I love all the furniture made by my talented fella – Gordon made our bed, entertainment unit, bedroom chest of drawers and all the in built shelving and cabinetry.   I am seriously attached to our ‘Nook’ couch from Jardan – the first piece of proper furniture we invested in, this sleek but super comfy couch has made such a difference to our living space.  Last year we splurged at a Space Furniture sale and bought the Diesis marble coffee table – a piece that had been on Gordy’s wishlist forever. I’m also quite attached to our fledgling art collection – that stunning Emily Ferretti painting above the dining table is the most recent and current favourite!  Other treasured pieces have pretty much all been discovered through TDF research – beautiful pieces by Nicholas JonesKirra JamisonDavid Band and Kate Tucker.  The one which holds most nostalgic value is the artwork Gordy commissioned from our dear friend Lucas Grogan, which reads ‘Let’s Get Married’!

Sooo there you have it.  I hope not too underwhelming!  I really wanted to take an opportunity to finally document our place today, because sadly we won’t be here too much longer.  After 7 years, Gordy and I have finally decided it’s time to move on to the next project!  So, we’ll be saying goodbye to our much loved first home in just a few months. Onto the next challenge!

Recent Homes