Homes

A Home That Keeps Family Close

Sydney fashion stylist Tash Sefton epitomises effortless ‘off-duty’ fashionista style, and it’s little surprise her family home has an equally relaxed, yet stylish feel.

Tash sees interior decorating as a highly personal undertaking, where family stories take centre stage. She shares her Mosman home with partner Mark and sons Jay (12) and Mac (6). Today, we take a tour!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

The Mosman home of Tash Sefton and family. Artwork in the kitchen by Gary Shead, Lewis Miller, Louis Kahan, in addition to pottery and art by Tash and sister Hayley under the label Sefton Segedin. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Recline in the lounge room. Blue velvet lounge by King Furniture, chair and coffee table from The Modern Furniture Store, Manly, rug from Armadillo, blue twig painting by Rachel Castle, and plants from Monavale Pot Warehouse. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Detail of living room, with artwork and pottery by Rachel Castle, and Sefton and Segedin. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Tash Sefton at home with the kids, Jay (12) and Mac (6) ,Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Bright layers of toys and drawings in the kids rooms. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Merging bookshelves creates a new family narrative, housed in Ikea bookshelves. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

The kids room, with Sheridan bed linen. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

In the studio, surrounded by Sefton Segedin art. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Peeping into the living room. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Established gardens have been updated with succulents. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
22nd of August 2018

Tash Sefton and family have lived in their Mosman home for three years, and were first attracted to the property for its single level floorplan. Tash explains, ‘living on one level for our family is very important. I can work up the front of the house while still hearing my family around me.’

A relaxed approach to home decorating also reflects this emphasis on family connection. Tash is a ‘true believer in your home being a collection of your journey as a family.’ Following this ethos, she doesn’t believe you can ‘walk into a shop and buy everything at one time’ – but rather that a house becomes a home as furniture and objects fill the space and reflect the personalities of its inhabitants. She explains, ‘I don’t like our home being too prescribed or “trendy” – it needs to not be too precious, we want the boys to be able to relax.’

Tash and Mark have also built their family narrative in the house through an annual art purchase to celebrate their anniversary (SUCH a nice idea!). Their ever-evolving art collection has, in recent times, been supplemented by another family-driven creative project – a collection of hand-painted pottery and distinctive artworks by Tash and her sister Hayley, created under the name Sefton Segedin.

The home is constantly evolving, and Tash describes, ‘I am forever pottering, changing and moving things around so they look right.’ However, she does caution the need to recognise when layers of memories and beautiful objects become clutter! She’s a fan of good storage to hide away tired pieces, and keep the house looking clean and fresh.

Tash’s favourite spot at her is her home office/studio space. The light-filled room is her dream location for creative projects, and allows Tash to work with the kids always in earshot, on the lounge reading a book, or ‘doing their homework next to me.’

Tash and Mark had previously lived by the beach in Manly, but as the boys and Tash’s wardrobe (hah!) grew, they relocated to this larger home in Mosman. ‘Mosman feels very grown up, and although it is a beautiful suburb, it has taken some getting used to,’ she says. To our eye, it seems Tash and family have certainly made Mosman home!

Recent Homes