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‘I feel like there isn’t really an exact name for my interior style — a little bit Copenhagen, a little bit Japanese and a little bit retro,’ Madeline Jovicic says.
The Newcastle-based artist has captured this fresh aesthetic best in the carefully curated design of her 50-square-metre residence.
Like a modern take on what is typically known as a ‘granny flat’, the compact home is new build, nestled at the rear of her family home. But it’s not your average backyard studio.
Anything the pint-sized dwelling lacks in size, it makes up for with its playful character. Butter-yellow joinery meets stainless-steel elements in the gallery style kitchen, while polished concrete floors continue into Madeline’s adjoining bedroom.
‘The vision was for light-filled spaces, which was a bit of a challenge due to the aspect and the fact that it’s quite low down compared to the surrounding houses,’ Madeline says of the project’s design.
‘I knew I wanted to use glass bricks in the living space, as I’ve always been enamoured by them. They let in a beautiful filtered light throughout the day, whilst still maintaining privacy.’
Skylights and crisp white walls were also key to maximising a sense of space inside, leaving room for fun pops of colour; from the glossy red lighting to natural textures of a Japanese tatami mat, and her custom-made, plywood ‘library bed’, containing integrated shelving.
It’s a restrained backdrop for Madeline’s ever-evolving collection of artworks and knick-knacks, with plenty of pieces collected from around the world.
‘I always make sure to pick up a little something for my home every time I travel overseas. Ceramics from Puglia, Greece and China; magazines from London and Paris; glass and metal objects from Japan and Kore, plus coffee table books from all over,’ she adds.
‘It’s funny but one of my prized possessions is my blue basin from The Water Monopoly. When I eventually move out, I think I’ll simply have to take it with me.’
The compact dwelling backs directly onto the garage, half of which has been converted into an art studio for Madeline’s creative endeavours.
‘[My family and I] felt I really needed a dedicated studio, as there is a lot of equipment that comes along with painting and ceramics that used to live on the dining table or the living room floor, which wasn’t ideal!’
Madeline says this living arrangement has struck just the right balance, offering space for her creative work while still enjoying daily life with her family.
‘I think multigenerational living is starting to become much more normalised in Australia due to cost of living,’ she explains.
‘Being able to “live” with my family but also have my own space to breathe is truly such a privilege.’
