Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Home Too Good to Keep to Herself
Other housemates have come and gone, but Ramona has well and truly settled in and made her mark on this amazing home
Thirteen years ago, Ramona and a colleague sought a house to share in the inner city suburb of Fitzroy. Determined to find an older home with lots of character, they instead found a new, spacious, three-story modern townhouse and were immediately smitten with its abundance of light and endless possibilities. For the first few years, they lived like any ‘typical’ share house – with sparsely decorated furniture leftover from previous abodes and the odd couch found on the street or gifted from a friend. When her original housemate moved out, Ramona started introducing her own unique and cohesive style into the home. Being an avid op-shopper and collector of various things, the objects she acquired began to spill out of her own room and infiltrate other parts of the house. Blessed with a supportive landlord who appreciates her love and care of the home, Ramona has not only been able to display her treasures, but also make significant design changes to the home, both inside and out. Housemates still come and go, but Ramona’s distinct style remains a constant.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Ramona Audrey
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Size: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Ramona Audrey
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Size: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Most people could only dream of having a landlord so open and supportive of a tenant’s desire to make their unique mark on a home. To celebrate her 10th year in the house, Ramona had artist Barry Drinan paint a mural of one of her favourite artists, Antony from NYC band ‘Antony and the Johnsons’. “I’ve always loved murals. Barry came over three Sundays in a row … we’d hang out with lots of music and watch it unfold. Since I prefer hanging objects on walls rather than paintings or prints, the mural makes up for the lack of art around the place.”
Most of Ramona’s collections have evolved over time, some she has actively hunted for. When she does go op-shopping, she tries to stick to Australian pieces made prior to 1970.
“I’m a sucker for something aesthetically pleasing with a purpose. Something that was made before I existed, when you hold it you can feel its integrity. It’s not disposable and it’s not in or out of fashion. If you collect, you get it. If you don’t, it’s just junk.”
“I’m a sucker for something aesthetically pleasing with a purpose. Something that was made before I existed, when you hold it you can feel its integrity. It’s not disposable and it’s not in or out of fashion. If you collect, you get it. If you don’t, it’s just junk.”
Stool: Camberwell Market, Melbourne
The abundance of light and space in the three-story townhouse was a huge draw card.
The white pods on the wall are pieces of down pipe. Ramona and her ‘handy fellow’, Gordon, came up with this idea after seeing a similar look for planter boxes online, only much more expensive. “These came in at $20 per pod, including all materials, soil and labour.”
The two courtyards and four balconies situated around the home help to take advantage of the outdoors, despite being situated in the inner-city. As an economical alternative to garden planters, Ramona found these 200 gallon drums on eBay for about $40 each. To prevent them rusting, Ramona had them painted with bitumen paint.
“I grew up playing board games; both sides of my family can play them for days on end, which is pretty handy when you have a family reunion that gets rained on.”
“I will need to replace the couch soon, it’s sagging quite a bit. And even though it’s probably quite ugly, it’s been a great friend over the years. What other couch am I going to find that still perfectly holds a laptop, glass of wine, pussycat and pizza, while spread out and shared with three or four other people, for next to nothing? Probably not one in an op-shop!”
Flying birds on wall: Little Salon
“The collections definitely drive the style of the house. I’m very strict with them: they must be a) handsome, b) practical, and c) old. The vintage sporting gear is quite often used.”
One of the four bedrooms in the home. This one is currently used as a storage space for Ramona’s blanket collection and somewhere to hang her artwork. The painting above the bed is by Angela Corry; the artwork sitting on the blackboard is by Nick Howson.
Blackboard: Lost and Found; Writing desk: eBay
Blackboard: Lost and Found; Writing desk: eBay
The blankets are Ramona’s favourite collection. “They’re so handsome, so practical. I have 96 but it’s not enough. I recently met someone who collects billiard tables … billiard tables! This gives me carte blanche to collect as many blankets as I want!”
Growing up with carpenters in the family helped form an appreciation for quality crafted furniture. One of Ramona’s biggest design influences is the Shaker style. It’s here in her bedroom where she has tried to emulate it the most.
Mirrors on wall: Lost and Found
Mirrors on wall: Lost and Found
“I love Bush radios! I’m not usually a fan of ‘new made to look retro’ but I think this brand does it really well.”
As well as an appreciation for the Shaker style, Ramona is also influenced by the furniture and style of the 1940s. “It was a practical time, furniture was serious, functional, good looking, not frivolous. I don’t search out any design information or read magazines or design books, it’s all just guesswork.”
Another very practical collection. With a huge cluster of vintage mirrors on the wall, you can check yourself once, twice, even three times before heading out the front door.
Fortunately, the house has a generous garage to house Ramona’s 1965 primrose lemon Fiat Bambina, affectionately known as ‘Lucinda’. “I can’t tell you how much joy she brings me. Just talking about her makes me smile. She is pure happiness.”