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Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.
Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.
In depth features on Australia’s most beautiful gardens and landscape design.
Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.
Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.
Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.
In depth features on Australia’s most beautiful gardens and landscape design.
Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.
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!
The Design Files acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
First Nations artists, designers, makers, and creative business owners are encouraged to submit their projects for coverage on The Design Files. Please email bea@thedesignfiles.net
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That blue lamp! Never seen anything like it. Tis gorgeous!
Its a beautiful soulful home.. what a view! The artwork is absolutely gorgeous – I just want to run my fingers over all those blankets and scarves:)
Gorgeous Jac! Wish I could pop over for a tea with you and the 3 gorgeous monkeys xxx
Such a beautiful home. Despite the all white interior, it looks incredibly cosy. That might be down to the Little Dandelion knits strewn about the place. Great artworks too! x
I love the colouring of this wonderful home!! and am always a sucker for beautiful paintings in gold gilt frames, amazing textures all over the place :)
Absolutely gorgeous. I think the beautiful antique mirror is so divine, not to mention the cosy blankets.
love the white base for the home and the pops of colour and artwork. That first cabinet with the pared back red paint over the woodedn drawers and tops is gorgeous! Love that the Littel Dandelion items are strewn around the home.
cosy & lovely – particularly like that dog print screen in the bedroom!
that is SO gorgeous! Fabulous textures on great old furniture throughout. And that cat painting in the kids’ bedroom is just ace! Such great colours. But I’m just wondering how they manage to keep it all white with kids in the house…
What a stunning house! Thank you for sharing.
Just one little pedantic note – the birds are rainbow lorikeets (not rosellas) – I love feeding them at my parents’ holiday house around up that way.
Doh I knew I’d mess up the bird species! Thanks Claire!
The house looks great jac! Love all the blanket trims everywhere.
That view is sooo wonderful! And I love all of the white! She has done a great job mixing formal, rustic and modern – so impressive!
OMG I just want to see the knitting needles!!
wow – so understated and beautiful!
I adore this – so much peace here.
gorgeous abode..love the chunky knitted throws!
LOVE the cushion collection in this home.
Beautiful home! Any tips on where the dining table is from, or where to find something similar?