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My Houzz: A Stylist Curates Her Own Picture-Perfect Home

Using her expert eye and design know-how, an interior stylist reworks her home to surround herself with decor she loves

Emily Hutchinson 8 May 2016

Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra wow-factor to feature. I love hearing all about the design process behind these projects.

Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra... More

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Tahnee Carroll and her partner Jackson Love instantly fell in love with their two-bedroom abode in Marrickville when they saw it a year ago. We’re all familiar with the struggles of decorating a rental, however, with Carroll’s keen eye for design – she works as a freelance interior stylist – the house was quickly made into a home. “I guess for me, because I do this for a living, decorating kind of comes a bit more naturally,” she says.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Tahnee Carroll, freelance interior stylist, her partner Jackson Love, an audio engineer and musician, and their two-year-old rescue dog Rue.
Location: Marrickville, Sydney
Size: 200 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Tahnee Carroll

It wasn’t always the couple’s intention to end up in Marrickville. They had previously been living in a small apartment in Bronte, but decided to have a look at homes around Sydney’s Inner West one day. It was then that they spotted their brand new digs.

All photography by Lynden Foss of Citizens of Style

Tahnee Carroll

Carroll regularly styles shoots for Real Living magazine and works with other interior clients including Life Interiors, Rapee and Basil Bangs. She also runs a creative agency called Citizens of Style with photographer Lynden Foss. It was through this experience that she was able to understand the blank space of her own house, and how to work with it.

“When we moved in it was very simple and basic,” says Carroll. “I added a vegie patch to the garden and a million plants to the interior and entertaining deck. It’s very dark inside so we’ve also used lamps to help with that. I have a very distinct style of decorating, which incorporates a lot of vintage pieces with new classic designs, and an abundance of greenery.”

Tahnee Carroll

Carroll’s favourite room in the house is the living room. “It’s the central part of home, both physically and mentally; we all love to hang out here, listen to the radio and chill out after a big day,” she says.

The space is mainly decorated with vintage finds, including the leather sofa, armchair and timber cabinet. On the wall hang horse prints which were done by Carroll’s friends at We Are Pampa. These unique pieces add to her distinctive style.

Coffee table: Life Interiors; cowhide: NSW Leather

Tahnee Carroll

Next to the fireplace hangs one of Carroll’s favourite pieces. She picked up the very cool Leonardo DiCaprio painting during a visit to San Fransisco, which was done by an artist called Michelle Guintu.

Tahnee Carroll

The dining area joins the living zone, and leaves the space feeling bright and open. Seen here, the dining table was a little project the couple took on together after finding the table top on the side of the road. “We then made the base with metal piping from Bunnings, and the chairs are from Life Interiors,” says Carroll.

Tahnee Carroll

Despite being able to make cosmetic changes, Carroll says due to the fact it’s a rental, they were unable to renovate. However, she notes that if she could, she would love to add more skylights, larger windows and open the living and dining area out to the courtyard.

Tahnee Carroll

The other room Carroll says she would like to renovate, if she had the chance, is the kitchen. However, it serves them well for cooking sessions with a decent oven and stovetop.

Tahnee Carroll

Carroll and Love’s bedroom is the second room back from the street, “I love oaky coloured woods and olive-green linen,” says Carroll of her bedroom colour scheme.

Bedside stump: Pop & Scott; bedlinen: Cultiver; rug: We Are Pampa; bedframe: Ikea

Tahnee Carroll

Despite having to know what’s trending for a living, Carroll says she prefers not to follow trends when decorating her own home. “Instead I slowly add pieces that have a timeless look, and that appeal to my personal style,” she says.

Tahnee Carroll

The bathroom is located at the back of the building and features floor-to-ceiling faux marble tiles, “I’ve zhushed the space up with some plants and took down a tacky wall decal which was on the wall above the bathtub,” says Carroll.

Tahnee Carroll

The home also boasts a light-welled courtyard, which runs along the side of the living and dining area. Carroll says it’s where she puts all the plants that won’t fit inside. “It’s a really nice space to relax outside,” she adds.

Cane bench: The Family Love Tree

Tahnee Carroll

For a separate workspace, Carroll had a design studio built into her garage. The space is completely reconstructable and can be easily removed if the couple decide to move. “I had my friend Josh Kelly who is a carpenter install pine panels, shelves and a desk to store all my props and to work from when I’m not shooting,” says Carroll.

Chair: Barnaby Lane

TELL US
What do you like most about this home in Marrickville? Let us know in the Comments section.

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Tamara Armstrong

Beautiful home and photos.

Like 14 May 2016 at 6:38am

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bobhenderson

Nice place! When someone puts this much love into a place, it suggests that they want to own it. I have noticed the trend to feature rental homes on this site. Perhaps Houzz could do a feature on how young people could own their own places?

1 Like 16 May 2016 at 7:37am

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yuliablier

It actually looks like most places in Inner west suburbs of Sydney where young trendy couples move in... it's not 'unique'.
Photographed beautifully though!

Like 20 May 2016 at 4:01pm