Jo Dabrowski and Andrew Fisher purchased their Californian Bungalow on a big block in Newport in late 2013. Though the house was in good structural condition, the interiors were in need of an update (it was very ‘peach’ throughout Jo says!). So, before moving in, she and Andrew set to work ripping out old wardrobes, pulling up tiles in the kitchen and replacing timber floors. They also changed the light fittings, door knobs, and picture rails, added built in robes and shelving, and painted throughout.
After settling in, the family started working on plans for a side extension, to add a playroom, master bedroom and ensuite bathroom. Once their plans were approved, Jo and Andrew went down the owner/builder route to complete the works, in collaboration with a great local carpenter called Stewart James (@builtbystewy). ‘He cared about the details as much as I did, and made the process much less stressful than it could have been’ Jo says.
The standout feature of Jo and Andrew’s house is, of course, the incredible use of COLOUR! It’s so rare and so brilliant to see such a brave and varied palette used throughout a home – from the deep grey walls in the front living room, to the softer grey in the master bedroom, and vibrant yellow of the home office. Jo and Andrew’s house proves that colour is definitely not just for kids’ rooms!
‘Choosing different colours for each room was absolutely one of my favourite parts of the process, and even today I’m still thinking about rooms I may re-paint one day’ says Jo! ‘I’m dreaming of a pink and a navy blue’.
An advertising copywriter in a former life, Jo is an incredibly creative Mum, with an intuitive sense for design, and a cheerful ‘can-do’ attitude when it comes to home improvements! She often finds herself updating furniture pieces with a fresh coat of paint, new upholstery or new handles. ‘We’re not big on buying things just because they may look nice on one of our shelves’ she explains. ‘We prefer to wait until we happen upon something that has a bit of a story, or something that will bring back happy memories’.
What is special about this relaxed, vibrant family home is that it says so much about the family who live here. ‘Our house is definitely a reflection of all of us’ says Jo. ‘We love colour, design, books, art and making stuff! It’s a collection of objects we’ve accumulated over the years, both separately and together, from our travels and from the different cities we’ve lived in.’
Gorgeous house! Can you please tell me what the paint colour is in Herbie’s room?
Love it! Creative people are never afraid of colour. Your home is beautiful Jo and Andrew, thank you for sharing.
A beautiful home brimming with colour and personality. A pleasure to see!
WOW my home is black and white but I so love the warmth and beauty of this home. I feel the house decor reflects the people who live here. I’m sure it’s a home of love, excitement ,happiness and lots of fun. Thank you so much for sharing your home with us all.
What an absolutely beautiful house bursting with colour and personality. Congratulations to Jo and Andrew!!
Inspirational home! Thanks for sharing
I’m all for your fancy, architecturally designed, meticulously styled-by-interior-designer houses, but this one is humble, fun, vibrant and like Jo says, a true reflection of the people who live there! If only I didn’t live in a rental, i’d be getting out the paint brushes right now… very inspiring!
What a fabulous home! Thank you for showcasing such great family spaces.
What a great collection of design objects. We help consign and on-sell privately owned design objects. Sustainable decorator !
I love this home! Could you please tell me the paint colours for the shed and its door. We are looking for a blue to paint our 1950s home in qld and that looks perfect!
Plate wall of my dreams!!
Thanks Lucy and Annette for a gorgeous article! It was an absolute pleasure to meet you both.
To the readers who have asked…Herbie’s room is a Dulux colour called Happy Days. The shed is a Taubman’s colour called Mountain Stream. And I’m sorry but I can’t find the tin from the navy blue door.
What a happy, cheerful home! I have been bored with my homes paint colours for awhile now and this lovely home has definitely inspired me to repaint! Goes to show you don’t need white in every room for a home to flow.
Any chance you could tell me the paint colour used in your lounge room Jo? Thanks for sharing your home with us!
Thanks for sharing this gorgeous family home – love all the colour and details – very inspiring!
Lesley – living room is Dulux Western Myall.
I also love all the colours you have used, maybe Jo you should have just listed all the colours in every room right at the start. Can you please tell me what Green you used in Fred’s room.
Wow! What a fun, personality filled home, stuffed full with gorgeous things. Waking up to that must fill you with joy each & every day and enhance family life as well. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Julie,
Fred’s room is a Dulux colour, Green Spruce.
Hey! My bedroom is Dulux Happy Days at 50%! Snap for the great choice! ;)
Stellar use of color everywhere! I think I pinned every room. :)