House of Lauren Freestone

House of Lauren Freestone

By Lauren Powell

In the art world, Lauren Freestone needs no introduction. The contemporary Aboriginal artist is a household name in the homes of art lovers all across the country. 

For those of you who adore Freestone’s earthy, contemporary and engaging works that are inspired by “the beauty of country, my family and our history”, get ready to fall just as in love with her Newcastle home that is as charming and captivating as her artwork. 

Freestone and her partner transformed the three-bedroom, one-bathroom home from an eclectic 70’s-style home featuring velvet pinstripe wallpaper and vibrant yellow walls, into modern, airy and warm family home. 

Located on the fringe of a nature reserve full of bushland and wildlife, this home captures the magic of our beautiful country in more ways than one. Scroll on to take the tour.

 

How many years have you lived in this home?
"We have lived here for four years now."

How many rooms does your home have? 
"It is three bedroom, one bathroom and my studio which is a second small-ish living area."


What do you love about the neighbourhood you live in?
"I love that we back on to a bush reserve and get birds and animals in the yard."

"I LOVE HAVING MY HOME STUDIO — IT IS MY LITTLE RETREAT AND IT'S SO NICE TO LISTEN TO THE BIRDS OR THE RAIN WHEN I’M IN THERE PAINTING. IT’S SOMETHING I ALWAYS WANTED.”



How would you describe the style of the home?
"It was definitely an eclectic 70’s style home when we moved in — a bold mix of wallpapers featuring velvet pinstripes, bright yellow, and shiny silver and black circles in another. There were chandeliers and pendants in every room, and lots of dark timber cabinetry. We basically just stripped it all back, painted the walls white and replaced the carpet with timber-look flooring. Now it feels more like a relaxed, casual and coastal home."


 
What sort of home is yours? For example, is it an entertaining type of house, where you have friends over for dinner parties or is it more of your sanctuary where you get away? 
"It's definitely more of a retreat for us. We have family stay and come for visits often, but nothing too involved. I think it would be a great entertainer when we complete the renovations, but for the most part we have always had something half completed or ripped out."

 
You’ve just recently started renovated, what’s the biggest renovating lesson you’ve learned to date? 
"I think to live in the house before you decide to do anything is some good advice I was given. And stick to a budget — only borrow what you are comfortable with."

 
 
Do you have a favourite room in the house?
"I love having my home studio — it is my little retreat and it's so nice to listen to the birds or the rain when I’m in there painting. It’s something I always wanted as I would always take over the house with my painting when we were renting and I have never had a proper area where I could have some work hanging and some sense of organisation."

"APART FROM MY PAINT AND TOOLS, MY STUDIO ESSENTIALS ARE COFFEE AND MUSIC."
  
What has influenced the design style and decorating of the house? 
"I think I’ve always been drawn to earthy interiors, textures, lots of timber and white. I’d say the styling is more minimal."

  
What was your biggest splurge for your home? 
"Definitely a new kitchen. The kitchen is quite big so we knew it would be the biggest cost. We left out overhead cabinetry for a more minimal look and also to cut costs."
 


What was the last thing you purchased for your home?
"A plant."

What do you love most about your studio space?
"The bush backdrop and having a dedicated space to work."


What are your studio essentials?
"Apart from my paint and tools, it would be coffee and music."

How would you describe your style of art?
"I use acrylic on canvas with different textured mediums. I love playing with textures and adding another dimension to my work, it’s definitely a more contemporary style. My art is mostly inspired by the beauty of country, my family and our history."


 “I LOVE PLAYING WITH TEXTURES AND ADDING ANOTHER DIMENSION TO MY WORK, IT’S DEFINITELY A MORE CONTEMPORARY STYLE. MY ART IS MOSTLY INSPIRED BY THE BEAUTY OF COUNTRY, MY FAMILY AND OUR HISTORY."
 
The home has some absolutely beautiful artworks — how important is art in your home?  
"Most of them are mine to show people, but I do have a few pieces that I adore — one of my Dads original artworks, a Miimi & Jiinda canvas print, a print from local artist Wandyu Art and a beautiful print from Womban Art. So all Aboriginal art and would love to add to these once the house is done. I’m loving Rene Sundown's work at the moment."


Explore the Lauren Freestone print collection in store and online now. 
 
Photography by Teresa Brincat. 
 
 

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