Homes

An Artist's Brilliantly Colourful Art-Filled Home!

Sometimes, things just fall into place. After missing out on a property at auction, artist Katie Eraser walked into the inspection of this Brunswick East home, and realised she had found the one. 

Her partner Jay Longworth realised the same thing, so on the same day the couple’s offer to buy the property was accepted, Jay proposed!

The period house was already in great condition when purchasing, leaving Katie and Jay with only one thing to do: fill it with art!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

Film festival poster from Cuba. Mina Mina Jukurrpa artwork on right hand wall by Gayle Napangardi Gibson. Bookshelf by Like Butter. Featherston Numero VII chair from Nord and reupholstered by Upholstery Direct. Lux Sofa in velvet by Curious Grace. Velvet ottoman by Curious Grace. Beni Ourain rug by Berber Morrocan Rugs. Woodrow Marble Oval Coffee Table in Green from Fenton & Fenton. Flowers by Lulo + Ly Floral Studio. Artworks on back wall from left to right: Pikilyi Jukurrpa painting by Amelia Napaljarri Brown; screenprint by Barry McGee; wall sculptures by David Cragg; Ben Frost screenprint; artwork leaning against wall by Katie Eraser; artwork by Karen Black, 2 x artworks by Emma Lipscombe, Shambles sign by Isaac Lizardo. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Beni Ourain rug by Berber Morrocan Rugs. Woodrow Marble Oval Coffee Table in Green from Fenton & Fenton. Flowers by Lulo + Ly Floral Studio. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Katie Eraser (left) and Jay Longworth in their delightful home! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Lux Sofa in velvet by Curious Grace. Artworks from left to right: Katie Eraser, Penfold; Sean Morris; painting by Katie Eraser; print by Penfold; Sean Morris; and XX. Eames Hang-It-All hooks in hallway, with Katie Eraser x Gorman collection pieces. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Bookshelf by Like Butter. Ceramics by Jordyn Mcgeachin; Tessy King; and head pots from De Nada Ceramics. Vintage pegasus sign from Brick Lane Bazaar. Flowers by Lulo + Ly Floral Studio. Featherston Numero VII chair from Nord and reupholstered by Upholstery Direct. Mina Mina Dreaming rug designed by Gayle Napangardi Gibson from TappetiPhoto – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Ceramics by Jordyn Mcgeachin and Tessy King. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Bookshelf by Like Butter. Ceramics by Jordyn Mcgeachin; Tessy King; and head pots from De Nada Ceramics. Vintage pegasus sign from Brick Lane Bazaar. Flowers by Lulo + Ly Floral Studio. Featherston Numero VII chair from Nord and reupholstered by Upholstery Direct. Mina Mina Dreaming rug designed by Gayle Napangardi Gibson from Tappeti. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Sarah Kelk painting, purchased from a TDF Collect exhibition! Face ceramic pot by Group Partner. Pink ceramic vase by Amara Ceramics. Flowers by Lulo + Ly Floral Studio. Blue ceramic vessel by Tessy King. Giant Ice-Cream Cone Planter from Third Drawer Down. Black and white tall checked ceramic by De Nada Ceramics. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Table and bench seat by Footprint Furniture. Chairs by Douglas Snelling. Artwork on back wall (of Katie and Jay!) by Katie Eraser. Artworks on left hand wall from top to bottom: Catwoman artwork by Paul Pope; Night Night lino print by Georgia Hill; pink photograph by Gerwyn Davies; photograph by Robyn Daly; illustration print by Egle Zvirblyte; black and white photo of Basquiat and Warhol by Ricky Powell.Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Table and bench seat by Footprint Furniture. Chairs by Douglas Snelling chairs. Flowers by Lulo + Ly Floral Studio. Candle stick holders by Kerryn Levy Ceramics. Half Hurdle Chair by Dowel Jones in Horizon Blue. Hand painted elephant sculpture from India. Zanele Muholi postcards.  Sarah Kelk painting, purchased from a TDF Collect exhibition! Enamelware Large Salad Bowl from Third Drawer Down. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Throw blanket and cushion from BFGF. Black cushion from Nepal. Sculpture by Katie Eraser. The Lit Lamp by Curated Spaces. Small prints by We Are Out Of Office, in yellow frames by Wilma Contemporary Framing. Arrow by Fredericks and Mae. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Flowers by Lulo + Ly Floral Studio. Postcards collected from museums. Face ceramic mug by Jay. Ceramics by De Nada Ceramics and Amara Ceramics. Boob mug from the Mill Markets in Daylesford. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Various artwork in progress by Katie Eraser in the sunroom/studio! Sir Burly Stool by Dowel Jones. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
18th of November 2020

Many home owners find themselves dreaming of renovating after buying their first home, but since purchasing this Brunswick East property in 2017, artist Katie Eraser and partner Jay Longworth haven’t changed a thing! 

The couple fell in love with the home’s period features (decorative ceilings that differ in every room, Victorian-era glass light fittings, leadlight windows, and ornate fireplaces), so they’ve made very few structural changes here, instead injecting their own personal style by filling the space with colourful artwork, distinctive furniture and collectibles. 

Katie and Jay’s extensive art collection has been grouped by colour specifically for each room, forming a bold interior palette that evolves as you walk through the house. ‘Katie is a maximalist and loves colour, so we have left the walls white so that the artworks and brightly coloured furniture and ceramics can pop,’ Jay says. 

Many of these paintings have been created by Katie herself in the home’s sunroom-turned-studio, including the portrait in the dining room of her and Jay. Most other works have been collected or traded from friends. ‘I love being around them and feel super inspired seeing them every day,’ says Katie. ‘They represent a collection of the community of people that we love and admire.’ 

Other key pieces adding to this home’s artful aesthetic are the rug designed by the Indigenous artist Gayle Napangardi Gibson, the rose velvet lounge, statement dark green Togo armchair, and Moroccan rug in the living room. 

Like what you see? Katie’s exhibition The Imagined Attractions of Elsewhere opens tomorrow at Michael Reid Northern Beaches and runs until November 28. Head here for online purchases and details! 

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