Decorating
Design Details: Keeping It in the Family
Take a closer look at how these homeowners embrace their past and incorporate inherited pieces into their decor
For some, a home doesn’t truly develop that sense of soul until it is filled with items that have history, tell a story and evoke that “I know something you don’t know” feeling. Whether it’s an armchair passed down from a loved one, or an entire home for that matter, these homeowners embrace pieces handed down from older generations; showing us that sentimental decorating not only feels good, but also looks great.
What have you kept in the family? Upload a picture in the Comments and share your story.
What have you kept in the family? Upload a picture in the Comments and share your story.
Celeste Twikler lives in sunny Byron Bay and works from her at-home studio producing delicate pieces of jewellery everyday. She was greatly influenced by her great aunt, Gladys who taught her about art, style and being creative.
The art easel belonged to Gladys and doubles as a TV stand. “It is one of my most treasured possessions as most of our [her and her great aunt] conversations were about art and when I look at it, I’m always reminded of her,” says Twikler.
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The art easel belonged to Gladys and doubles as a TV stand. “It is one of my most treasured possessions as most of our [her and her great aunt] conversations were about art and when I look at it, I’m always reminded of her,” says Twikler.
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Jennifer Witcombe has accumulated a large collection of curios throughout the years. One of her most prized possessions is the tea set her grandmother passed down to her, which has pride of place in her dining room cabinet and has kick-started a growing collection of sets.
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Inheriting isn’t limited to small objects, for Emma and Anthony Duckworth, an entire home in Sydney’s Northern Beaches was passed down from one generation to the next. It was lived in by Anthony’s parents for 40 years up until they sold it to the couple four years ago.
In the dining room, large cabinets store crockery that once belonged to Anthony’s parents. Emma painted them white to fit in with the neutral decorating scheme of the rest of the house.
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Family history fills Andrea Cummins’s Art Deco rental. This beautiful antique drinks cabinet once belonged to her parents who used it in their bed-and-breakfast which they ran in northern Victoria. The cabinet stores original glass and crystal which was also passed down to Cummins from her parents.
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When Rob and Barb Orford – two former neighbours who fell in love – decided to move in together, their decorating styles collided. Mementoes and souvenirs from both sides of the family now adorn the house. These religious artworks originate from Russia and were given to the family by Rob Orford’s sister-in-law who inherited them from her aunt.
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Queensland artist, Rebecca Ross, inherited this bentwood table and chairs from mother. Her mother’s friend had artfully constructed them back in the day and, in turn, Ross restored the chairs herself to their original wood, revealing a hand-drilled flower design on each seat. “It’s a lovely place for conversation and meals to be shared,” says Ross.
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Carlie Spiteri and Matthew Roberts, have updated their pared-back bushland home with inherited pieces to fit in with their modern Danish style.
One of these pieces is this dining table, which was once a billiard table. The couple inherited it from Roberts’ stepdad who passed away five years ago from cancer. Roberts sanded it down into the dining table it is today.
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One of these pieces is this dining table, which was once a billiard table. The couple inherited it from Roberts’ stepdad who passed away five years ago from cancer. Roberts sanded it down into the dining table it is today.
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This chair belonged to Roberts’ dad and has been restored and reupholstered to pass on to the next generation.
Designer Alex Fulton redesigned an inherited chest of drawers for her daughter Violet’s room. It belonged to designer Alex’s grandmother and was upcycled with the same grey paint that was used on the walls. “I thought it had a really good shape, plus it’s functional, so we decided to spray paint it,” says Alex.
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TELL US
What have you kept in the family? Upload a picture in the Comments and share your story.
See more of this home
TELL US
What have you kept in the family? Upload a picture in the Comments and share your story.
The vest in the frame above Coco’s bed belonged to her grandfather who wore it on his wedding day. It was hand sewn by his-brother in-law in Italy, circa the 1900s.
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