Kate Tucker and Family
The incredible South Melbourne home of Kate Tucker, husband Tom and baby Jasper. ‘Untitled Landscape’ by Melbourne artist Amber Wallis hangs above the curved couch. And yes that’s a MISSONI RUG. I die. Also gorgeous cushions on the couch by Missoni and Kate’s clever sister Jessie Tucker.
Painting top left by Mitjili Napurrula, woven circular ‘Flower’ rug by Armadillo and co., ‘Necklace’ – paper / mixed media artwork by Kate Tucker bottom right.
Ho hum, it’s another SPECTACULAR Melbourne home. Filled with incredible mid-century furniture, original artwork by talented local artists and the most beautiful soft furnishings you’ve ever seen. Just another Wednesday on The Design Files :) Well all I can say is – just be grateful you don’t have to see these dream homes in PERSON every week! It is wearing me down, people!
NO no in all seriousness, today’s home is another STUNNER and I must give a huge thankyou to the very lovely Kate Tucker for sharing her gorgeous pad, and her sweet sister Jessie Tucker for baby-wrangling during my visit! It was so lovely to chat to these talented sisters whilst photographing this very special family home! They even fed me hot cross buns :) Thanks ladies!
Kate and partner Tom purchased this beautiful home in South Melbourne around 4 years ago, and now Jasper (10 months) lives here too! You’ll be disappointed to know that once again the house required very little work when Kate and Tom moved in – other than a bit of painting, new curtains and some tidying up in the garden, it was ready to go. Grrr. However I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s the amazing furniture and art collection that really makes this home unique – as an artist, Kate has an incredible eye for colour and detail, and has filled her home with paintings by many local creatives. One talented artist whose work graces almost every room in the house is Amber Wallis. Amber’s ‘Untitled Landscape’ (pictured at the top of this post) is one of Kate’s favourite – it won Amber the Brett Whitely Traveling Scholarship in 2008. (Lucky Kate had already made the purchase by then!).
When asked if she has any ‘favourite’ items in the home, Kate responds with an emphatic ‘yes’! In addition to the impressive art collection, many of the mid-century pieces in the home are prized possessions for Kate and Tom – the incredible sideboard in the dining area was an irresistible find at Angelucci Twentieth Century, and the Egg Chair is another special piece (….also from Angelucci – ‘OMG we are so unoriginal!!’ says Kate!).
Sadly, after four blissful years here, it will soon be time for Kate and family to move on. They have recently purchased a doer-upper in Melbourne’s inner North, and so they’ll soon be selling this beautiful home. It is not quite on the market just yet but will go to auction in June. If you are interested you can contact the estate agent here!
Whilst Kate will be sad to leave her South Melbourne home behind, she is super excited about the next project! She says ‘It’s an old house in a magical spot, on an odd shaped block, in need of a lot of love. We are currently speaking to architects and planning a major transformation. We’re very excited. We’re pretty sure it’s going to be a very special home. We’re going to make sure there’s a little private jungle in it so we don’t miss this one too much…. and I’m loving designing my studio!!’
SPEAKING OF WHICH, a visit to Kate’s home wouldn’t be complete without taking a moment to admire some of her own artwork. Kate is an incredible painter, and after a brief hiatus since having little Jasper, she is super excited to be staging not one but two exhibitions in the next month! Details of both shows are below… do try and check them out if you can! Kate’s work is stunning and still very affordable – but it won’t be for long!
Paintings by Kate Tucker! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! Many are already sold before the exhibitions even open! (sadly!). Please note the one on the bottom right here is a detail – slightly cropped to fit. Please forgive me Kate!
STORM CLOUD CARNIVAL
C3 Contemporary Art Space
Opening 6-8pm, Wednesday 25th May
Exhibition Thurs 26th May to Sun 12th June 2011
WARMTH AND WATER
Platform Public Contemporary Artspace, Majorca Windows
Opening 6-8pm Friday 3rd June
Exhibition 3rd-24th June 2011
Centre Way Arcade, Centre Place, Melbourne 3000
‘Untitled Landscape’ by Amber Wallis. Missoni rug, and gorgeous cushions on the couch by Missoni and Kate’s clever sister Jessie Tucker.
The less formal loungeroom! ‘Circle of Eagles’ by Amber Wallis hangs above the couch. Another Missoni rug, coffee table from Angelucci Twentieth Century. Vertical modular bookshelf by Mark Tuckey. Cushions on couch by Megan Park and Jessie Tucker. Sculpture of coloured balls on birch log by Charlie Sofo.
Vertical modular bookshelf by Mark Tuckey.
Another view of the loungeroom just cos I can! That’s ‘Circle of Eagles’ again by Amber Wallis hanging above the couch. Incredible leather Egg Chair from Angelucci (OMG, a real one, breathe, breathe). Sideboard towards the right again from Angelucci. Another Amber Wallis painting in the dining area (photo bottom left).
Jan Senberg‘s drawing ‘Attacked-Surrounded’ hangs above the dining table, alongside another painting by Amber Wallis. Top marks if you can recognise the David Pottinger vase (on the table, left hand side!) which Kate bought after seeing David’s work on TDF! Don’t you love when things come full circle?
Jan Senberg‘s drawing ‘Attacked-Surrounded’ hangs above the dining table
Kitchen details… love that lush courtyard creeping into the interior space! Macrame fruit bowl holder by Kate’s clever sister Jessie Tucker.
Jasper’s bedroom! Hans Wegner rocking chair, painstakingly restored as a gift to Kate from Tom. Cute crocheted fruit cushion by Jessie Tucker again! Mural on wall above cot painted by Kate.
Master bedroom. Painting by Amber Wallis.
Guest room details. Painting by Amber Wallis.
Upstairs details – ensuite with claw foot bath, cute vessels on windowsill, view of courtyard from spiral staircase.
