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Sunday Salon founder Lily Mora and advertising creative director Jonathan Rands bought their Thornbury house when Lily was heavily pregnant, which in her words is ‘probably not a great time to make big life decisions.’
Fortunately, it’s all worked out for the couple, who have happily resided in the house ever since, and welcomed their two children Sonny (now 3) and Claude (18 months) into the world.
A previous owner had renovated the weatherboard cottage about 15 years prior. The interiors didn’t offer much in the way of character, but they were completely functional and had a ‘blank canvas’ appeal — ideal for an art curator to style. Lily has a seriously impressive art collection featuring works inherited from her late godfather Martin Sharp and late grandmother Mirka Mora, who were both iconic local artists.
‘The three works above our bed were given to me by my grandmother Mirka for various birthdays, so they are very special to me,’ says Lily.
‘Martin Sharp was my godfather and I am lucky to have several prints that he gave me, including the one hanging in the boys room which I adore. Sadly he died before I had children, but I know he would love to know it is hanging in their room.
‘I also have a portrait of my late father [gallerist and art dealer William Mora] by Mark Chu which is very special, and I like having him in the hallway to say hello to as we come in and out of the house.’
There’s also pieces on display by First Nations artists, and works by emerging artists Lily has shown through Sunday Salon.
Colour has also played a big role in giving the family home more personality, starting with the blue stripes Jonathan painted on Sonny and Claude’s bedroom walls. ‘It took him forever to measure out each stripe with tape, but I think it was worth it in the end,’ Lily says.
The main bedroom walls feature a soothing buttermilk yellow, while the spare bedroom/home office is a deep olive green — the perfect backdrop for another vibrant Mirka Mora painting.
Primary colours (or close to it) are otherwise a theme in the home’s styling, as seen in the yellow and red flower sculptures by Peter D. Cole, HAY red dining room bench, yellow Gaetano Pesce vase, navy USM Haller sideboard, and chartreuse velvet sofa.
After five years living in London and a short stint living regionally, Lily and Jonathan are proud of the home and community they’ve been able to build in Thornbury. Their house strikes the perfect balance of liveability and individuality, in a neighbourhood where everything can be found on foot.
