Homes

This Fashion Stylist’s Artful Home Is Filled With Joy

Stuart Walford did the thing you’re ‘not supposed to do’ in buying the first house he saw, but three years on, safe to say it’s all worked out!

The fashion stylist and his partner Gary Yan became the first residents of this newly-built Brunswick property, which presented generous proportions and a relatively blank slate for them to make their own.

True to Stuart’s signature style, he’s introduced a fusion of vintage pieces collected from around the world, mashed up with contemporary purchases, and ‘random stuff’ from secondhand stores to create a truly unique home in Melbourne’s inner north.

Written
by
Amelia Barnes
|
Photography
by
|
Editorial styling
by

Sarah Hendriks

Supported by Tint

Leda pendant lights by Karman. Large IXIA vase in yellow by Hattie Molloy. Super white Dolomite stone on the kitchen benches.

Wall mirror by Trit House. Leda pendant lights by Karman. Large IXIA vase in yellow by Hattie Molloy. Super white Dolomite stone on the kitchen benches. Kitchen mixer by Fienza Sansa. Wall mirror by Trit House.

Leda pendant lights by Karman. ‘Flag #1’ (2017) by Katie Eraser framed by S&J Framing Workshop. Ethnicraft Oak Bok Dining Table from Trit House. Vintage dining chairs from Radar Fitzroy. Rug from Temple & Webster.

Commissioned painting by Katie Eraser. Beaded gemsbok bought in Kenya. Gifted illustration of Stuart and Gary with their dogs. Duck painting by Chance Burns. Small IXIA vase in blue by Hattie Molloy. Side table by Kartell. Tom Dixon Melt light from Top3.

Leda pendant lights by Karman. ‘Flag #1’ (2017) by Katie Eraser framed by S&J Framing Workshop. Ethnicraft Oak Bok Dining Table from Trit House. Vintage dining chairs from Radar Fitzroy. Rug from Temple & Webster.

‘Hundreds and Thousands’ (2017) by Katie Eraser. Duck painting by Chance Burns. Vintage illustrations from Portugal. Cubox lamp by Ubiqua. The Rock Votive candle holder by Kosta Boda. ‘Sushi Train’ drawing by Stacy Gougoulis. Table lamp by Coco Republic.

Stuart Walford and Gary Yan with their dogs Peter, Susan, and Elvis in their Brunswick home. ‘Blinkers be Wise’ by Katie Eraser (2017).

Bedding, cushions and throw from Sheet Society.

The Elvari wardrobe system from IKEA was used to convert a spare bedroom into a large closet (as the built-in wardrobe wasn’t big enough!)

Black acrylic face sculpture bought in Indonesia. Japanese Hyottoko mask from Ma House Supply Store. Wall art trio by Phillips Collection. Planter on left from The Plant Society.

Poodle statue from Matt Blatt Furniture. Framed map of New York from Monocle. Mid-century three arm chandelier light. String Furniture shelving system from Great Dane Furniture. Dining table by Freedom, used as a desk. Marble sideboard by West Elm. Vintage typewriter from Smith Street Bazaar. Rug from Four Corners Rugs.

Studio Buzao side table purchased from Leonard Joel. Candle holder by Maison Margiela. Commissioned poodle vase with portraits of Susan and Peter by James Lemon. Side table from Space Furniture. Cake bag by JW Anderson.

Black acrylic face sculpture bought in Indonesia. Japanese Hyottoko mask from Ma House Supply Store.

Susan and Peter in the front garden, which is flooded with sunlight in the mornings.

Writer
Amelia Barnes
Photography
Editorial styling

Sarah Hendriks

17th of February 2026

Seeking more space to spread out and grass for their dogs, fashion stylist Stuart Walford and Gary Yan began searching for a property to buy in 2023, leading them to this Brunswick house.

‘This house was funnily enough the first home we inspected, and we fell in love with it immediately,’ says Stuart. ‘We loved the location as we are in a pocket of Brunswick that is really close to a lot of parks and green spaces, which was high on the list of requirements.’

Despite the house ticking all the boxes, the couple wanted to be thorough, so they kept inspecting other properties… but nothing compared to this initial house. ‘Although we found some other gems, nothing won us over like the first impressions of this place,’ says Stuart. ‘We were very chuffed when we won at the auction!’

The four bedroom home is well suited to the couple with its generous proportions, providing plenty of room for both to work from home, and for Stuart to get creative. He explains, ‘The space needed to allow for multiple workrooms as when I’m styling out different projects there are A LOT of clothes and props and bits and pieces spilling out everywhere… I didn’t want to take up shared living spaces, as I had done so up until this point.’

In terms of the aesthetics, the interiors are sleek and contemporary, providing Stuart and Gary a blank slate upon which to apply their eclectic and vibrant personal touch. In addition to updating the fireplace and redoing the landscaping with Inner City Nature, the couple have made the house their own through unique styling.

‘I’m very drawn to colours, prints and textures in my styling work, and also in my wardrobe, and I think over time I have amassed quite a collection of homewares that also reflect that,’ says Stuart. ‘Colours bring so much joy to an outfit, or to a space, and they are so easily interchangeable which gives great flexibility to refresh a room by swapping out certain bits and pieces, just like accessories.’

There’s an impressive art collection on the walls, anchored around some sentimental works by  Katie Eraser, which were Stuart’s first art purchase when renting several years ago.

‘Our home, when stripped bare, is very grey and white, so adding all our trimmings is what really brings our personality to the space. Eventually I’d love to add wallpaper and colour to the walls in some of the rooms but that is still a fantasy for now,’ he said.

No matter the time of day or season, Stuart and Gary feel totally at home in this house. You’ll likely find them sitting around the fire with the dogs (Peter, Susan, and Elvis!), tinkering on the piano, or entertaining guests.

‘We spend a lot of time at home working, entertaining or just spending time with our dogs’ says Stuart, ‘having a safe haven that feels warm, inviting, uplifting and joyful is paramount!’

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