If you’re not yet acquainted with Annie Everingham, allow us to do the honours by firstly, introducing her, and secondly, welcoming you into her picture-perfect Newcastle home.
As one of the country’s most-loved abstract and still-life artists, its unsurprising that she has a unparalleled talent for designing and styling impeccable interiors as well.
The Newcastle-based artist purchased this unique three-bedroom, one-bathroom Spanish Mission-style home in the ever-evolving harbour city four years ago and has since completed a major renovation with her husband, Chris — and it’s where they call home with their one-year-old baby boy, August.
It’s refined, it’s timeless and it’s unsurprisingly filled with an enviable gallery-worthy collection of art — scroll on to take the tour.
What do you love about the neighbourhood you live in?
Waratah is so central to most parts of Newcastle and we’re within walking distance to parks, schools, coffee and shops, pubs and transport. So from a practical standpoint it’s perfect for us starting a family. The last few years have seen lots of young families moving here, and to (neighbouring suburb) Georgetown, which has created a really nice community vibe. It’s exciting to see the area evolve.
How would you describe the style of the home?
It’s a Spanish Mission bungalow style home built in the 1930’s with a lot of Art Deco details.
What sort of home is yours?
Home to us is both a sanctuary and a place to entertain. We often hear from friends and family that it gives them a holiday villa vibe, which it does for us, too! We spend a good portion of the year outside, so opening the house up and creating a really ambient outdoor entertainment area has made such good use of the small yard space and perfectly suits our lifestyle.
“HOME TO US IS BOTH A SANCTUARY AND A PLACE TO ENTERTAIN. WE OFTEN HEAR FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT IT GIVES THEM A HOLIDAY VILLA VIBE, WHICH IT DOES FOR US, TOO!”
You’ve just recently renovated, what’s the biggest renovating lesson you’ve learned?
I think having a strong overall aesthetic and vision in place is crucial to sticking on track when it comes to budget, timing etc. I had a mood board and kept my selections pretty neutral and as timeless as possible, as I was conscious of not being too swayed by trends and veering off the original concept I had created. It was really important to us to retain the original character of the home and at the same time ensure it was a practical, robust home for our family to grow in. I’m still amazed that I managed to make some pretty quick design selections and whilst heavily pregnant and rushing to complete the renovations before a baby arrived!
Do you have a favourite room in the house?
Our living area has beautiful natural light and original decorative ceiling and arch details — it’s such a calming space to enjoy a coffee in the morning. When renovating, we decided to re stain the original timber floors in a dark, matte Japanese walnut stain. Everyone (including the floor sander) tried to talk me out of it but it was a risk that paid off — it’s one of my favourite features of the living areas and feels true to the character and quirkiness of the house.
“OUR LIVING AREA HAS BEAUTIFUL NATURAL LIGHT AND ORIGINAL DECORATIVE CEILING AND ARCH DETAILS — IT’S SUCH A CALMING SPACE TO ENJOY A COFFEE IN THE MORNING.”
What has influenced the design style and decorating of the house?
The Mediterranean-style of the home really lends itself to lots of pattern and colour against the neutral backdrop of stone, creams and white.
“THE MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE OF THE HOME REALLY LENDS ITSELF TO LOTS OF PATTERN AND COLOUR AGAINST THE NEUTRAL BACKDROP OF STONE, CREAMS AND WHITE.”
What is your favourite item in the home and why?
I would have to say our vintage Turkish rug in the dining room. Just by chance it fit the space so perfectly and softens the dark timber floors. We spend a lot of time around our round dining table with the bi-fold doors open in summer, and are working on restoring the fireplace in that room for winter. It feels like the cosy heart of the home.
What was your biggest splurge for your home?
I would have to say our antique encaustic patterned tiles on the front porch from Jatana Tiles. They’re so special but I’m still not sure how I got that one over the line!
What was the last thing you purchased for your home?
A beautiful original artwork by Nicole Nelius from Fenton & Fenton.
How would you describe your style of art?
My art is really just an extension of my love for capturing and creating beautiful things, moments and feelings. It’s a combination of abstract and still life work that very unapologetically celebrates all things decorative. I don’t take myself or my art too seriously, I rather just paint things I like to look at.
“MY ART IS REALLY JUST AN EXTENSION OF MY LOVE FOR CAPTURING AND CREATING BEAUTIFUL THINGS, MOMENTS AND FEELINGS. IT’S A COMBINATION OF ABSTRACT AND STILL LIFE WORK THAT VERY UNAPOLOGETICALLY CELEBRATES ALL THINGS DECORATIVE.”
The home has some absolutely beautiful artworks – how important is art in your home?
I’m such a visual person and get so much joy from surrounding myself with paintings and flowers and ornaments — it’s an ever evolving collection and things are constantly being rearranged and changed on the walls.
How do you choose and buy artworks? Or are all of the artworks your own?
Over the past five years or so I’ve collected pieces from Stanislas Piechaczek, Prudence Caroline, Giorgia Bel, Loralee Jade, Nicole Nelius, Emma Cleine, but my Wishlist is long! I usually buy directly from other artists I’ve connected or through one of my main stockists, Fenton & Fenton. My own art usually spends some time on my walls while I try to resolve particular paintings, but I usually get sick of them!
Do you have a favourite piece?
I adore my mini neon pink cola by Prudence Caroline, it’s such a talking point and seems to be working its way through the house, it’s so much fun to style. I need to commission a larger version!
Shop Everingham's new art collection in store now!
Photography by Teresa Brincat.
