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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.
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!
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.
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Beautiful lady, beautiful home
Love, love, love this!! Such inspiring use of colour. I especially love Harper’s bedroom. Thanks so much for sharing xx
I love all the rugs, just beautiful
Love this home so much!
So proud of this girl
Loved seeing her home in a glossy home mag recently, but love seeing it from this whole different perspective even more! So much inspiration and colour!
I have been waiting just as long for you to shoot it too! I love Miranda’s work and her home is as equally beautiful with all its interesting, unique pieces
This apartment is an absolute favourite of mine! The colour. The styling. Everything. Beautiful!!! <3
This house made me feel so happy!
Love Miranda’s work and her beautiful spaces are just perfect! Thanks for the lovely story TDF!
:)
Miranda your home is beautiful – no surprise there. A super talented, generous and gorgeous lady . Loved this post, impeccably put together by Lucy and her Team, great start to the day. xx
A home stuffed full of art & public gardens near by beets a McMansion any day. A gorgeous home indeed!
Perfect! Such a happy home, filled with art and colour – and GREAT to see some of Jacqui Stockdale’s beautiful work on The Design Files – more please!
Beautiful and sooo talented. Love the Wolf above kids bed. Gorgeous!
You are right when you say that – I lived in a 1920’s victorian house with embellished lights, stained glass and hard wood floors with a fireplace in each room. Now, a new white walled apartment. Its harder to add character with newer homes however thats where a master designer shines I guess.. Great post and congratulations on finally wearing her down! hehe. Bec – http://www.dancingthroughsunday.typepad.com
Absolutely beautiful.
What a beautiful home, I love absolutely everything. Miranda is my no. 1 fave artist . Thanks for persevering Lucy :) x
Lady Love x
So lovely the way Miranda’s home echoes her work… Living in one of those paintings must be bliss!
Amazing everything! Especially amazing photos
Well written piece and beautiful home. Thank you for sharing.
Gorgeous mix of pieces, I particularly love the urn beside the bed!!!!! x
Ewa Skoczek
So very Proud of my girl! Thank you Lucy!
Lovely. And we can feast on this home again over at Freunde Von Freunden today too.
love it ! and a great article Lucy !
Hihi it is so funny about the “wolf” in Harpers room, somebody posted a comment about. I remember there was a discussion on IG when Miranda painted it and gave a sneak peek, somebody thought it was a whale, but it is in fact a RACOON!