Going through Imogen Milford’s pocket-sized apartment is a bit like a game of spot the local artist. A Lizzie Barnett here, a Tantri Mustika there… every available wall and shelf of the Fitzroy home features an array of homegrown creative talent! ‘I think it’s fair to say that I am obsessed with local artists’, Imogen admits.

In 2016 Imogen, her husband Mark Henry, who works in construction, their three-year-old son Finn and 12-year-old dog Wilson moved into this off-the-plan apartment. Initially, it was the central location that attracted the family, being close to the city and great parks, but after a couple of years they realised the space needed updating to better reflect their lifestyle and personality. ‘In 2018, we gutted the main areas of the apartment as the design and finishes were just not what we were after. We just wanted the place to have a soul,’ says Imogen. As Mark works in construction, he was able to undertake all these works himself, with interiors and styling decisions from Imogen. Melbourne greenery experts Plant Mama and The Plant Society were enlisted to inject greenery into every nook and cranny, making the apartment feel like a lush sanctuary. Dream team!

Renovations saw the installation of reclaimed timber hardwood floors from Urban Salvage, and form ply cabinetry, inviting a more tactile feel to the home. ‘We also flipped the floor plan to make  better use of the space,’ says Imogen. The result is a totally customised apartment, with real personality!

Imogen calls herself a maximalist with a fondness for local artists whose works naturally evoke personality. ‘My husband has said, “I don’t think you can buy any more artwork!”, as every wall is covered, yet I always manage to find some space!’ says Imogen. Her flair for interior design and styling is evident in this cheerful, layered space, filled with plants and pots from The Plant Society. An (unintentional) pink and orange palette has emerged in her furniture, object and artwork selections, anchored by one of Imogen’s most cherished pieces – her beloved burnt orange Soriano sofa. ‘They are so good for small spaces’, Imogen says.

The majority of works in this apartment are now complete, except for two bathrooms the family hope to tackle early this year. Already, Imogen says the space seems so much more like home. ‘It feels like ours now.’