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 Jones, Kirra Jamison, David 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!
You did it! Love all the custom joinery. Thanks for sharing.
OMG!!! This was a fantastic surprise!!!! Love love love your house! It’s cozy and comfy and filled with lots of lovely little nooks and crannies! Thanks for letting us have a sticky beak!!! xxx
love your Ferretti. a very sweet home – good luck with the move!
It’s gorgeous Lucy! Love everything. Wish I could buy it (including all the furniture)! Thanks for sharing x
Wow Lucy. Full of heart, a truly lovely insight. Thanks so much for sharing with us!! :)
Wow Lucy! You are amazing and I love your home. You’re so inspiring. X
Your house is divine, Lucy. So stylin’! It looks like it’s filled with so many stories. Thanks for sharing!
WOW Lucy – such a pleasure to see inside your home! It is full of loveliness and happiness, you have curated all the pieces beautifully. I can’t wait to see what you do with your next home, good luck :)
I love seeing a home…not a showpiece
Lucy, it’s simply gorgeous.
I love your home Lucy & Gordy, it has a calm feel to it! Good luck with the sale & I look forward to a posting of your new house in the future!
Thank you for sharing your journey. It was wonderful to read about the progress and enjoy the gorgeous results. All the best on your new adventures.
A happy home to homebodies that love design. Beautiful.
Very sweet home and love the studio space. Thanks for sharing.
Just lovely Lucy + Gordon. Your little cottage seems filled with authentic homeliness and will be a truly loved space to pass on to someone else to begin its new chapter. x
Looks great Lucy, give yourself some credit.
Gorgeous home Lucy, I love it!
Sweet, lovely home that must be so hard to leave. Love the kitchen splash back! Really wanted to see the main bathroom.
Lovely – sorry we may miss a final visit late April early May.
Art of Oceania floating there yess!
Love Love Love and good on you for sharing! I imagine it would be very daunting!
My first post!! Thank you for sharing your home. I love Design Files, and really enjoy your articles.
Of course I was curious about your home, and it is beautiful, good luck with your move.
Youpi!! Finally, YOUR PLACE! I’ve been waiting for this, I haven’t even read the post!! I’m too excited! Bisous xx
Your home is absolutely beautiful Lucy….the opposite of underwhelming. Thank you for sharing! Good luck with your auction xx
Gorgeous home Lucy. All the best for the sale.
There is nothing underwhelming about your home. It is divine!! Thank you for sharing. x
Perfection! I’m not surprised at all – you’re amazing!
I am not a blogger but have been an avid follower of your blog for some time. Your home is divine
so many beautiful objects, art etc. You are a talented couple.
I am not a blogger, however I am an avid follower of your blog. Your home is divine, so many beautiful objects, art etc. I have never left a comment before but felt compelled to this morning,
Good luck with your new venture I look forward to seeing your new home.
What a lovely surprise to see you and Gordy in today’s home tour. What a beautiful time of your lives and home you’ve created. Xx
Thanks for your sharing you and Gordon’s home and all the lovely touches. Best wishes for the next stage.
you have an enviable, beautiful, creative and individual home you should be proud of. thanks for sharing with all of us – it is deffo a big deal!
Not underwhelming at all! A gorgeous, perfectly fitted out cottage of my dreams with office space. Shame I live in sydney otherwise I would purchase in a flash! :)
A TRULY FRESH AND GORGEOUS HOUSE !
AND LUCY , I TRYULY HAVE ONLY JUST READ THE STORY AND IT’S YOURS!!!! AND GORDONS WORK IS VERY BEAUTIFUL! JG
What a stunning home you have Lucy, I love everything about it. The textured splashback in the kitchen is absolute genius, love it! Thanks for sharing. x
what a seriously special home feature! gorgeous Lucy! all the best with the auction and next project x
Lovely house Lucy – good luck with the auction and the move.
I think I need a Gordy!!!
It’s beautiful, Lucy! I am all adrool. Love the studio. X
Thanks so much for showing us your renewed ‘sweet little cottage’ Lucy. It’s just GORGEOUS. And I must add, we all need a Gordy. He sounds like a treasure – keep him! I’m a 66 year old female and I really love The Design Files. I only add that snippet to congratulate you for appealing to such a wide audience – OR do I just wish I was younger so I could start all over again?
beautiful!
It’s so beautiful! Cant wait to see your next place – would be great to share your renovations on the blog! Hope the new owners love the house & studio as much as you have.
Absolutely gorgeous Lucy xxx
Nice to see you in The Design Files Lucy!! What a Beautiful place you have . Xx
Love it all! Just as I would have expected from you Lucy & Gordy, such a lovely space with the perfect furnishings and enviable artwork! Thanks for sharing xo
Your home is simply lovely.
So amazingly beautiful! Love love love it! My favourite part is Patricia Urquiola’s textured tiles and also Emily Ferreti’s painting! I wish I were as sensible as you in earning & saving up, then I would’ve had the chance to bid on your house! :D
Really lovely and beautifully put together home – such a shame I live interstate!
The story of its history and your contributions to making it such a great space is quite inspiring.
Best of luck with the new venture – and look after that man Gordon – he is a great asset!
Thank you for sharing your own home Lucy! It’s delightful.
Lovely!
Lovely home, I love how your home has evolved organically. Beautiful tiles in the kitchen and studio.. thanks for sharing
Lucy it’s just gorgeous. Love the studio. You must be sad to be letting your first “home” go.
Home sweet home, Lucy! Gordy’s design and cabinetry skill’s are brilliant. SX
Oh Lucy, I die!!!!! It’s utterly gorgeous! Thanks for sharing and good luck with your auction xxx
A truly beautiful home Lucy and Gordon. That is actually my idea of a dream home! Just love it! It is a credit to you xx
Hi Lucy – thanks for posting your home – it’s a wonderful space and (unsurprisingly) a beautifully distilled reflection of The Design Files! I particularly love seeing your personal art collection – thank you again for introducing me to the work of Emily Ferretti!
You are one lucky lady! What a beautiful space to live and work in. Good luck at auction – I’m sure you’ll have quite a few interested people!
Gorgeous. I hope you don’t move too far from Brunswick!!!!!!
Thanks for showing us your gorgeous home Lucy. What a beautifully renovated cottage, paying homage to all the talented local artists and designers we are so lucky to have in our community.
Your home is lovely Lucy. Thanks for sharing. Love the custom furniture by your talented fella and the Lets Get Married artwork.
Even if my home was as picturesque as this, I’m not sure I’d open it to the online public. Good job Lucy – am sure all the folks who’ve done the same for DF appreciate the empathy.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us, I love it. It was good to hear about your renovating journey, as we are renovating at the moment, it’s exciting daunting at the same time. I was just wondering what colour you used on the interior walls?
I just love the feel of your home, good luck with the auction.
I expected nothing less Lucy! It’s a beauty. So much goodness in there. Good luck with the next challenge. Looking fwd to seeing what you transform next . . .
Love that you shared your life even more!
THANKYOU ALL for such lovely comments! Sorry we’ve had a bit of a delay getting them published! You are all too kind… I was slightly freaking to share my little home with you all – now I know how it feels to be on the other side!
Thanks so much for your beautiful comments guys, you really are the best! x
ps. OH to the commenter requesting to see the other bathroom – it was a tricky one to shoot! But the Real Estate agent did get a shot of it if you check out my home on their website – http://www.nelsonalexander.com.au/properties/buying/brunswick-12-nash-street Also, the floorplan is there!
Another Brunswickian! Hope you’re not leaving the ‘hood entirely! Good luck at the auction. Cheers, E
Jo Morris – all internal walls are painted Dulux ‘Lexicon White’ – it’s just a really clean, classic bright white. x
Love it Lucy! Love that there’s some design icons and amazing pieces, in a casual, comfortable, REAL way… The king of vibe I strive for with my home.
Thanks again!
Heaven! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home.
ooh..i love your house…..thanks for sharing..i have submitted pics of mine…but having recently sold a painting, i can now afford a ‘proper’ camera to do it all again….you guys do such an amazing job bringing people’s homes into our homes…love your blog…x
Thanks for sharing, and all the best with the auction. Having recently sold and bought, it’s such a roller-coaster of emotions. Quick question, we are renovating a kitchen and I LOVE the splash back tile but is it easy to clean? Thanks,
PS. The bathroom looks amazing, is that rubber or tiles? Thanks again.
So so gawgus and colourful! haha Love it! I want to just sit on your lounge all day and enjoy the sunlight and read through ALL THE BOOKS!
Xx
Hi Lucy – beautiful home, love your studio – wish I had that space…And your splashback stunning. Love all the joinery work. All the best with your next project.
You have created a truly beautiful home + work (life!) space Lucy. I’m a big fan of bringing greenery and timber into a home and I think it’s so important to have it in your work space too – you’ve achieved that perfectly! Ah the serenity! x
your studio space is delightful! thank you for sharing your space with us!
i LOVE the Loom rug in the lounge and the round kitchen table.
So great Lucy and Gordy! Nice to see the camera flipped around the other way for a change. Great house! Sunny brunnie neighbour! xx
What a happy surprise! You are such a blue person, I had no idea.
I too, lived at home till the ripe old age of 27 and bought a beige house from a little old lady! Go figure. Good luck at auction!!!
Oh that splashback, very, very special! Lovely home Lucy.
Really lovely house! Shows how much one can do even with a very limited space. LoVe It!
Thank you for sharing your home – I, like many other loyal readers have been hoping this day would eventually arrive! What a beautiful home, and a wonderful use of the small, humble structure that is the Australian weatherboard cottage. On a personal note, I really love your colour choices. Blues and greens with textured neutrals and timber is my favourite combo right now! x
Lovely and fresh and inviting. And you two are adorable !
Gorgeous Lucy, You have such lovely things and have placed them so perfectly that it looks like a very cherished and loved space to live in. Good luck at the auction, I know you won’t have a problem, in fact we sold our house after someone spotted it on the Design files and heard we were selling it and are now proud owners of our first home. Jo x
What a lovely surprise! You have an amazing home Lucy. I hope you document some of your next ‘project’ when the time comes? Thanks so much for sharing!
What a treat! Such a gorgeous home. Thanks for sharing :)
Woohoo! Like pretty much everyone who reads your blog, I’ve always wondered what your own home would be like, and thought, it must be lovely. It is – and it is so you. Just gorgeous, so stylish, so homey. I particularly love with the studio separate from the house – my home office branches off the dining, and I often wistfully think about having a little more separation. Looking forward to seeing the tour of your next place!
You have some gorgeous pieces in your home.
Its picture perfect!! What a great location too!! Love it all :)
I knew it’s coming and i am not surpirsed…Here is another coincidence: i was looking at houses in Brunswick few days ago and spotted this one but didn’t know it’s your house untill today post. It’s truely beautiful and feels very homey. My partner said “buy it…”. Of course i would if we move to Melb
PS: From WA with love
Beautiful home. I have serious studio envy and you have a wonderful fella. Love your art work
Lucy, your place is incredible! Well done to you and Gordy on a fabulous job. I had to smile at your story of renovating as sounds rather familiar to our first place and budget! The good part of doing it bit by bit also allows you to truly know what you want and what works in the space. Such a great surprise to see this today and good luck with the sale and your new home. Happy 6 Years! Mel x
Bravo, bravo, bravo. Not just for the lovely home, but for having the courage to put it up here after recent nonsense. How exciting to have another to tackle around the corner.
Fabulous home filled with SO many things I would love to sneak out the door – though the splash back (the best I have seen) could be a little tricky!. Thanks for sharing.
The painting above the dining table is delicious! I simply must own it one day!
LOVE it all! Thank you for sharing, finally!
Are you guys for real???
This is by far the best house you have featured on TDF!!!
Love your style, love Brunswick. XX
I love it! Your house is just as I expected – and that is a compliment :-D Its awesome Gordy made so many of the things inside your home. And how wonderful it would be to have such a great little studio!
I’m passing on your real estate listing to a Canadian friend of mine who is looking to buy. She is also a creative, and her partner is wanting to find a space to make his guitars (yes!!) – which has been a difficult search for them. So I think your house could be just right :-D
How cool to see today’s post features Your Place! Love it! Relaxing + functional. Love the studio space too … great team work. The Emily Ferreti painting is so eyecatching, and the blues and white give your home such a clean fresh feel. I’d bid at your auction, alas I do not live in Australia. So glad I stumbled across TDFs, you are my daily design inspiration!
Your home is just perfect. A true reflection of you. Your home reminds me of my very fist home in coburg , only mine was not as stylish! BTW You live near me Lucy, we often frequent the same cafés. I don’t want to bother you, but, Next time I’ll say hi. Thank you for sharing!!
gorgeous just like you Lucy
its perfect Lucy! It will be sad to say goodbye, but onwards & upwards, love an exciting new project!
gorgeous place, thanks for sharing it. would you be happy to share the name of the paint colours you opted for. I have a similar property (size, & orientation, important from a light perspective) and deciding on paint colours (all the ranges of white) is well challenging.
Beautiful home, congrats to you both – onwards to another exciting project by the sounds! thank you for sharing x
Gorgeous home! Could you please tell me what colour you stained your floorboards & also what white paint is on the walls? I’m right in the midst of renovating our little cottage and would love to stain the pine floorboards slightly darker but unsure what shade to go. Yours look terrific!
Lucy, I love the shoes you were wearing in the photos! Where did you get them from?
What a beautiful home! The studio is the pièce de résistance.
Thanks for being brave. It’s lovely. As an artist I would especially kill for the studio space!
It’s wonderful to take a tour of your world Lucy. Thank you for sharing and good luck for Auction today.
Just what I would have expected – stunning!!
what a mammoth task – you’ve done a superb job, both of you. Really hope it pays off BIG TIME!! xoxox
Hi Lucy, like alot of other commenters, I love your splash back. Can I ask if its annoying to clean?! Good luck with your house sale :-)
It’s so great to see your gorgeous home Lucy and see where your Design Files are produced each day. Love your style and good luck with the sale of your property! xx
I am so pleased you shared your home with us, Lucy. It is gorgeous! I am insanely jealous of your studio in the backyard, which is what I would dearly love. And Gordy is super talented too – very lucky girl, I love your bed and side tables. Good luck with your new future home. x
Oh and full details please on your outfit as it’s gorgeous!! :)
Hi Gen and Simone – re: the paint colours, The white on all the interior surfaces is Dulux Lexicon White. .. The dark grey in the kitchen is actually a blackboard paint – I forget which brand! The exterior is also painted Dulux a Lexicon white – it’s my fave white! Very crisp and clean, good for small spaces!
Susanna, those shoes are espadrilles from The Standard Store in Sydney ! http://Www.thestandardstore.com.au
Beautiful Lucy & Gordon…thanks for sharing such a beautifully renovated (even on a budget!), well loved home. This is what I love about TDF- seeing homes that aren’t display pieces but rather filled with loving pieces and represent its owners. Gd luck with the auction! Somehow I dont think you will have any trouble selling x
Leaving Brunswick?! Whhyyy!?? Going to be hard pressed finding a better suburb.
Where are you going?
Smashing!
You have the most amazing house. I know what you mean by living with your parents to save your pennies *hands up*. Thank you for sharing :)
Thanks for sharing Lucy. Stunning attention to detail. I would totally buy this (if I had any money :)
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful… You two are inspirational. Hope there’s 15 buyers who fight each other for it!!
a testament to your talent as interior curator — when you know EVERYTHING that’s out there, it can be difficult to edit. Well done!
Wooooohoooo beautiful house :-) Love all the art and wood and furniture and and… well everything really! I’m so glad you shared, you are such an inspiration! Good luck with the move!
Gorgeous house lovely to see! Have always wondered what your place would be like. And not house related, but where is that lovely jumper from? Cheers!
Absolutely beautiful!!
Wow, Lucy & Gordon, you have left me hyperventilating. What a wonderful first home & I love the story of your cottage’s journey & the wonderfully curated home that it is. Perfection. Good luck with the sale & your next home.
Cheers
Engracia
Lucy love love love!! So nice to see your home and work space and inspired me to look at the studio in the back yard option too! wonderful :)
Fantastic Lucy, so brave of you to show your home, I imagine its much easier to showcase other peoples homes, rather than your own! Its gorgeous, well done!
Many thanks Lucy, your home is lovely and very fresh. You are a very talented couple! I love your splashback tiles. I wanted them for my bathroom but worried they would be hard to clean – how have you found them?
Ahh Lucy! Thanks for sharing – what a treat to see your gorgeous space. Pretty much love everything you’ve done with it.
What a lovely home you and Gordon have, filled with beauty and detail. Thanks for sharing Lucy.
Just gorgeous Lucy, love that you shared your home with us! Cant wait to see where you go next!
So lovely Lucy! Your studio is amazing. So nice to see a little peak into your own home. Gorgeous and understated, and filled with so many interesting things. I wish I had your talent for styling. Great post. Annie x
What a gorgeous home. I’d snap it up in a second if it only had one more bedroom. The studio/workspace is a treasure, as is Gordy!!!
Hi Lucy – thanks for sharing your beautiful home and all the very best for the auction! Thank you for all the fabulous posts on TDF!
Hey Lucy,
OMFG thanks for sharing your amazing pad!!!
PS – We want a round table for four people for our kitchen too, are you able to tell us what diametre the beautiful Jardan dining table is? I think it comes in three sizes…
Thank you :)
Thanks for sharing Lucy!! Really enjoyed reading about it and of course SEEING it. Love your Emily Ferriti painting too
I stumbled across your house in the Age real estate section and I was so amazed and excited to see your gorgeous cottage and the design files HQ! Love everything about it, it’s absolutely gorgeous, seriously picture perfect. How adorable is that “Lets Get Married” artwork Gordy commissioned! Best proposal I’ve ever seen, touched my heart, not to mention all the amazing building work he’s done! Looks like a match made in heaven to me =) Best wishes for the upsizing and for the auction!!!!!
Thanks for taking us inside your home today Lucy! What a delight! I love this! A gorgeous home made with lots of love. All the best for the next project x
Love the design files and your home! Could you please tell me the species of timber used for your deck? Cheers
Wow…Lucy!!! Your house is absolutely amazing!!! thank you so much for sharing!!
Wow, what a labour of love! Thanks so much for sharing your gorgeous home :)
Gorgeous Lucy and Gordy, good luck with your auction xx
Wow! I’ve just returned from offline holiday mode and this was an utter treat to unearth in my catch-up reading pile. Thanks so much for sharing your airy, bright, beautiful nest. How exciting that you’ll soon call another place home and start the journey all over again! I wish you two lovebirds every happiness.
OMG. That bookcase, and that splashback…..divine!!!
Thanks so much for sharing.
So good! Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to see your next place :)
Such a gorgeous little house! Xx
Wowsa–what an incredible little pad! It’s so full of life and yet restrained. Thanks for sharing this and providing such remarkable inspiration.
Hi Lucy
Just catching up on all your posts and was so excited to find you on the frontline……I LOVE your home and your style. It must be so hard to leave a place when there has been so much work and love thrown into it.
Gordon is an incredible furniture maker!
I love the artwork and you put a big smile on my face so thank you.
Thanks for sharing your lovely home. I particularly liked the studio space you created. This may seem like a strange question but could you provide the name of the supplier for the sliding cavity doors in the studio?
Many thanks
Amazing space – just as I predicted!! This is a little obscure and I am probably being a weirdo, but if you know which leather that Alby is upholstered in I would be eternally grateful!! Thank you!!
Would you mind explaining how all of the floating shelves were done? I’ve been searching for instructions on shelves just like yours that can hold attacks of books like you have in your lovely home.
Thank you!
Hey Lucy sorry to bug you on an old post – I was wondering what the fabric on your Nook is? Looks comfy!