The St. Kilda apartment of Melbourne artist Miranda Skoczek.  Above - living room, with an eclectic collection of amazing pieces! Antique French candlesticks, African beaded crown, Aero Designs bookcase, Noguchi lamp, Polish icons, Andrew McKenzie perspex unit, and a healthy magazine collection! Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Photograph by Jacqui Stokdale, Fornasetti plate, Vintage Kosta Boda vase from Tarlo & Graham, and African beaded crown. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Miranda's Living room.  Painting by Rhys Lee, sofa from Aero Designs, vintage concrete pot plant, pink Genevieve Levy cushion from Manon Bis, and other cushions from Scout House, blue rug from Loom, small rug is a vintage find, silk from India, Jielde lamp and Ercol love seat. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Victorian vase with a collection of Dinosaur Designs vessels and platter from Mud Australia, Balinese table, Panton chair in a limited edition colour, Moroccan cushion, and artwork on paper by Kirra Jamison. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Miranda Skoczek in her Melbourne home. Rhys Lee painting, Sofa from Aero Designs, vintage concrete pot plant, pink Genevieve Levy cushion from Manon Bis, and other cushions from Scout House. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

I CAN'T TELL YOU how long we have been hounding poor Miranda Skoczek about shooting her home.  I'm pretty sure it's been a longer campaign than any other home we've ever chased!  A couple of months ago, our persistence eventually paid off, and we finally scheduled a time to shoot the beautiful art deco apartment Miranda shares with her son, Harper, in St. Kilda!

Miranda and Harper's apartment is a rental, and they've been here just under two years.  The apartment block dates back to the 1930's - which is evident in its generous proportions (they don't build apartments like they used to!), and subtle details such as the ribbed glass internal doors, and original hardwood floorboards.  With two bedrooms, generous kitchen and living rooms but sadly no outdoor space, one of Miranda and Harper's favourite things about this apartment is its proximity to the St Kilda Botanical Gardens, which is only a short walk away, and acts as their backyard.

Miranda is a character.  Her home, much like her artwork, is eclectic and colour  saturated, drawing on a myriad of cultural influences, from middle eastern textiles to modern Italian design, and everything inbetween.  'It's really an interior testament to my love of combining stories and histories' says Miranda. 'Decades old rugs serve as platforms to sleek contemporary lines, contemporary Australian art hangs alongside antique folk art imagery. It's an interior of opposites, old and new, expensive and inexpensive, a carnival of colour settled by key furniture pieces in white. It works because it's never contrived or forced, every piece I own is because I love it, not because it's fashion... although I do love fashion!'.

Since her early 20's Miranda has developed a passion for collecting art and Modernist furniture.  'I place alot of importance on my home being my sanctuary, a space that inspires and nourishes me' she says.  That said, Miranda can be quite an impulsive decorator!  When she sees something which speaks to her (see - giant gold urn in bedroom below!) she's only too happy to forgo grocery shopping for a month in the interests of acquiring it!

Interestingly, only one of Miranda's own paintings has found a home here, in her son Harper's room.  However, the rest of the local art community is well represented!  Miranda's fledgling art collection includes works by Rhys Lee, Kirra Jamison, Jacqui Stockdale and Leila Jeffreys, to name a few.  Amongst many treasured possessions, her Rhys Lee painting from 2004 is a firm favourite - 'it was my 2nd significant art purchase, my first being another piece by Lee from 2000' says Miranda. 'Both I still look at today and am reminded how I suffered on Baked Beans for weeks in order to secure them!'

HUGE THANKS to Miranda (and Harper!) for sharing their gorgeous little pad with us today.  Finally!

Miranda's bedroom.  INSANELY incredible gold urn from Tarlo & Graham, Leila Jeffreys bird portrait, Moroccan wedding blanket from Gypsy River. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

View from hallway to Miranda's son Harper's room. Boucherite runner from Loom, and Afghani door hanging from Gypsy River. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Harper's bedroom. Miranda Skoczek oil painting on linen. Iron bed from Scout House, Hay bedding, and Moroccan blanket from Paddo to Palmy. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Harper's bedroom. Ikea table and chair, and rug from Tabletonic. Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Miranda's tiny study nook at home.  Self portrait by Tom Dunn, mixed-media collage by Miranda Skoczek, Turkish ceramics and Aboriginal woven baskets. Various clippings and works in progress on the desk!  Photo - Eve Wilson. Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.