Homes

Veronica Kent and Scott Tinkler

It’s no secret we have a *thing* for artists’ homes. We often say the most interesting and inspiring homes we document belong to artists, and today we share another example.

This rambling, relaxed family home in Brunswick belongs to artist Veronica Kent, her partner, Musician Scott Tinkler, and their two daughters Mia (20) and Sunny (16).

 

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

The Brunswick home of artist Veronica Kent, her partner Scott Tinkler and their family. Above- garden looking into the kitchen, with sculpture by Ben Ross and the family’s beloved fig tree! Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Lounge room. Artworks on wall by Veronica Kent, the large one features Sunny when she was three years old. Coffee table is a repurposed plinth from a sculpture by Ben Ross. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Veronica’s childhood piano. Photo by Michelle Tran, other works Veronica Kent, and Scott’s first trumpet! Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Veronica’s childhood piano. Photo by Michelle Tran, other works Veronica Kent, and Scott’s first trumpet. ‘Blob’ sculpture by Sarah CrowEST on couch, the pot on the ground is an Indian instrument called a Gatam. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining room. Black and white photo by Zoe Croggon, all other artworks by Veronica Kent. Dining table and sideboard passed down from Veronica’s grandmother. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

‘Lady’, oil on board by Veronica Kent. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Large framed artwork by Veronica Kent, small paintings are gifts from Sean Peoples. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Studio book case and couch, woodfired bowls by Veronica Kent. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Veronica’s studio with her artworks in progress. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Book shelf details in Veronica’s studio. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen details. Mirror resting on shelf is an artwork by Veronica. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Bathroom. Raw pressed metal tiling and indoor plants fill this space. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom opening onto back garden, with artworks by by Veronica. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
10th of February 2016

The decision to settle in Brunswick was what Veronica Kent calls a ‘reverse sea change’. After living in Byron Bay for years, the family made the move to Melbourne 10 years ago. ’As idyllic as the life and landscape was in Byron, we were craving a more diverse creative culture for us as artists, and for the girl’s high-school and uni years’ Veronica explains.

A run-down Victorian weatherboard workers cottage was the only home in Brunswick the family could afford at the time. Veronica and Scott could see the potential of this dilapidated gem, and found themselves especially drawn to the layout – a single fronted terrace on a double block, allowing a strong indoor / outdoor connection. ‘Once we opened the house up to the gardens, with lots of louvres and French doors, we were able to recreate a bit of a North Coast indoor/outdoor life-lived-on-the-balcony sensibility’ Veronica enthuses.

The pair rebuilt the house over an intense 4 months soon after taking possession, doing most of the work themselves, with help from a builder friend. Retaining the existing roofline, Scott and Veronica united a motley crew of lean-tos that had been tacked on over the years. The original three room cottage at the front of the block was cleaned up with new floors and freshly painted walls, whilst the back of the house was completely reconfigured, and opened up to create a generous open plan kitchen, dining, and living area, alongside an additional study, bedroom and art studio.

The home envelopes a lush central courtyard, over which presides a glorious sprawling fig tree. With french doors on all sides, this relaxed outdoor area functions as an additional living space in the warmer months. ‘I love our home’s relationship to the outside’ Veronica says.

Veronica and Scott’s aesthetic is effortless and relaxed. Nothing here appears forced or overly considered. The furniture is a mix of hand-me downs, hard rubbish finds and props from Veronica’s past exhibitions – in fact, the only things the family have purchased new are a set of Thonet stools and the couch! Not surprisingly, the home is also filled with a great variety of artwork. There are countless paintings and experimentations by Veronica, alongside pieces by artist friends, such as Sarah CrowEST, Sean Peoples, Ben Ross and Laith Mcgregor.

When asked to describe her home’s distinctive aesthetic, Veronica is thoughtful. ‘I don’t know how to answer this… it’s a working house’ she says. ‘Things move around a lot and rooms are repurposed depending on what’s happening at the time… on any given day there is usually a band practising, someone studying, a group of teenagers lounging, a friend from out of town staying and me at work in my studio or hiding out the back reading a book and, happily, it all seems to work.’

Veronica has a solo exhibition opening soon in Melbourne! Entitled ‘I Get Nervous at Bulls and Eagles‘, the show runs from February 12th to March 26th at Sarah Scout Gallery.

Mia, Scott and Veronica and Charlie the rabbit at home. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

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