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Originally from Scotland, Melbourne artist Bobby Clark and denHolm founder Steven John Clark have no qualms about spending money to make their rental feel like a proper home.
‘People can’t believe the amount of work and money we put into rentals, but there’s a big cultural difference between rentals here and Scotland,’ says Bobby, who works across photography and art.
‘In the UK, if you rent a house, it’s yours to do as you wish. You can change every single thing about the house other than the floor plan, so it’s not even a question to us. We treat our rentals as if they were our own homes and take great pride in maintaining and improving them.’
Having lived in Melbourne for more than a decade, Bobby says the journey behind their latest house was something of an emotional rollercoaster.
Their son Jonty was just a few months old when the family found themselves struggling against the competitive rental market, bouncing from short-term accommodations to hotels, before eventually finding their character-filled home in Thornbury.
‘When we finally got the call to say we had this house, the relief was indescribable,’ Bobby says.
Since moving in just over a year ago, they’ve found plenty of ways to personalise the rental, through a series of DIY renovations and perfectly playful styling.
Steven’s handcrafted furniture and sculptures sit alongside sentimental colourful artworks by Bobby and her kids, including an especially captivating floral painting by six-year-old James that takes pride of place in the main bedroom.
The interiors strike the right balance between eclectic and elevated, anchored by family-friendly statement pieces like the Paddo Sofa Bed by Koala.
‘We have gone through so many cool vintage couches that are just terrible to sit on, so now that we have children, relaxing is sacred,’ Bobby adds.
‘Comfort is top priority, but it also has to fit in with our aesthetic. The Paddo is great because it easily converts into a bed, making it really handy for hosting. And the Torquay Modular Armchair is so comfortable, we’ve all been fighting over it.’
‘My friends thought I was insane for choosing cream, but it just lifted the light of the space so much; I love looking at it. Plus, it helps that the covers are washable!’
‘Furniture is meant to be enjoyed, and I don’t let kids’ fingers deter me from my choices. Every mark will be a memory one day…. Just like all the Sharpie on my walls.’
Better yet, their landlord has been more than happy for them to make a few updates to the home’s interiors. In the living room, Bobby ripped up the grey carpet to refinish the timber floors below, as the fireplace was stripped back to showcase the brick hearth.
They’ve even repainted most rooms in the house, notably changing up the living room’s stark white walls to a warmer, custom cream paint colour from Tint, while the bedrooms were transformed with calming blue-grey walls.
And the updates aren’t over just yet. Bobby’s about to turn her attention to building extra storage in the linen closet, and restoring the timber floors in the bedrooms, which are still hidden by the old carpet. But this hands-on touch and creative flair is what makes their house wonderfully lived-in.
‘I guess because we have never had big budgets to renovate or fill a space all at once, the time and effort to find all the furniture, objects, art, and books really makes the space feel like a part of us,’ Bobby says.
Koala makes forward-thinking designs that rewrite the rules for modern homes. Shop the new Paddo Sofa Bed online now here.
