A few months ago the Sunday Mail Home Magazine invited me and my home to be featured in an article, I was instantly excited and nervous at the same time. I mean, what an honour, BUT what if our home wasn’t special enough? After all it isn’t new and shiny.
When the Huz and I were first married we rented. In fact we were renting when baby one and two came along. We didn’t purchase our home until baby two was twelve months old, and it was three days after I turned twenty eight. That was eighteen years ago and we are still here…and still have a mortgage! For those playing along at home I am now forty six and our home is the exact same age as me.
welcome to my home…
The house has needed some love over the years but at certain stages money was tight because we were raising and paying for a family…so we did it in stages and most times did the work ourselves.
When we started out we made do, we waited for the big things and we put up with things that bugged us, because that’s what we had to do. These days it seems everyone needs everything done now, and there is no waiting or making do. Kids are buying and building brand new homes and filling them with everything new to have it looking like a magazine spread.
fresh flowers always…
Ok, maybe not all kids (definitely not my kids) but it feels like there is a social push to have palatial homes where there is nothing out of place and most things purchased have a shit load of zeros in the price tag. We live in a country of abundance, and sometimes I wonder if some people even know what it feels like to save and work towards purchasing something.
Over the years our house has seen some changes but nothing crazy. We put in a new kitchen (ourselves) ten years ago and had a pergola built, the huz even built a deck. We closed in a garage for the kids rumpus room and it been a sound studio and now a mechanics workshop where my youngest tinkers. When we first moved in we renovated our one and only bathroom (hoping for another reno soon) and more recently we laid new boards throughout the house.
Our house is nothing grand…but it is a home we love. We feel safe, loved and comfortable in our home. It’s cosy and comfy and while the front yard is pretty barren and at times resembles a car yard (kids) the back yard is our little retreat. I love decorating and home-wares equally…like reaaaaly love it! I guess that’s one of my life’s joys, decorating, organizing, moving things around time and time again and creating joyous little vignettes in my home.
Creating nooks and pockets of goodness for my eyes in my home fills me…my soul, my heart and my creative side. Our homes should be our haven, remind us of those we love and care about, hold memories and be a place where we feel most comfy.
Welcome, come on in.
Take a seat in the main lounge room.
My home does that for us, we are grateful for everything we have and while there are a few things on the ‘to do’ list we don’t covet what others have. Our home holds our story.
Ok, so back to the shoot, I started to panic a few weeks out from the shoot and even sent a message to an interior designer friend to alert her that I might need her help. I started thinking about replacing things so the photos would look great and then I had to check myself. I mean, I love my home and if you don’t love it that’s ok. I am good with that.
Take me there, a vignette I love…
Looking through, from kitchen to living and dining.
So instead I saw the shoot as an opportunity to show others that our homes are about so much more than shiny and new and that it’s ok to be working towards something and it’s even ok to love what what you have. In fact you should love what you have.
Prior to the photographer arriving I cleaned, bought flowers, added a serving tray to our kitchen, purchased a cake from the bakery and the Huz painted the front door, something we had been meaning to do for eighteen years. In fact we were going to replace it, purchased a door and all but turns out it didn’t fit and we need a custom job…so the Huz painted.
Baked goods and a splash of pink.
candles always...
And you know what, all that nervousness was for nothing, the house came up a treat. Admittedly you are not seeing every room in my home and thank fuck for that because I am not a fan of making the bed and hate cleaning the bathroom Maybe if we do a bathroom reno I will love it more 🙂
Escape to the rear lounge.
My home office (not always this tidy).
Thanks to photographer Nick Clayton from ‘nick clicks’ for putting me at ease and taking beautiful photos, he really did a fab job. For those of you who don’t live in South Australia and couldn’t read the feature below is the Q&A, enjoy…
Name…
Jenni Eyles
Age
46
Work life/job/role…
Owner of Styling Curvy, a website encouraging women to live a ridiculously awesome life through personal style and positive body image.
I’ve lived in my home for…
18 years
My home is a…
our home is where we can be relaxed and connect. We raised our boys here and it holds lots of special memories, it’s the keeper of our story.
I live with…
My husband, a nineteen year old son and a yappy (but cute) dog. Our eldest son recently moved interstate.
I love my home because…
it’s a reflection of who we are. Our home was built in 1971 (same year I was born) and is a little tired in some areas but we have done some work on it over the years and made it our own. It’s small, not flashy but feels homey.
But I still need to…
in the short term we are planning a new tile splashback in the kitchen and replacing some internal doors. Next year we will renovate the bathroom and toilet and do some landscaping. Long term we need to do gutters, roofing and we are planning on building a studio/granny flat.
My decorating style could be described as/is…
eclectic! It’s a mix of coastal/scandi/tribal, if I love something I make it work in our home.
My first car was…
an orange two door Toyota Corolla with a patch in the floor I could see the road through.
I like to listen to…
the ocean, whether it’s crashing waves or gentle waves lapping at the water’s edge the beach is my happy place and soothes my soul
Recent purchase…
a tray from Adairs, it has a galah on it and was quirky and makes me think of summer.
I collect…
sunglasses and jugs. I just love flowers in jugs.
Favourite room/ part of your home/ property…
I love the main lounge and dining area, the light is so beautiful. It’s where we connect and hang out together, although cuppas on my own enjoying the afternoon sun are a sweet time too.
Describe 3 of your favourite items and why you love them…
-a tribal print by photographer Giovanna Aryafara. It’s of a boy from the Omo tribes in Ethiopia and is serene and soulful.
-my phone because it keeps me connected to my online community and Google is a gift that I learn from every single day.
– Flowers, I always have fresh flowers in my home every week from local florist Minnow on Seaview. Flowers are textural, beautiful, colourful and connect me to nature. I think I would spend my last $20 on flowers and a good coffee.
I couldn’t live without…
the humans I love, they keep me grounded
When I get home at night, I …
well, I work from home so that’s tricky. When I close the door on my office I like to take my makeup off, get dinner ready and flop on the sofa.
At weekends I like to…
hang with the huz. We are big fans of heading out for brunch, while we have a few favourite cafes we enjoy trying new ones too. We spend weekends eating, market hopping, on long drives and in summer we are at the beach. Adelaide has the most beautiful coastline and hills so jumping in the car and exploring more of what Adelaide has to offer would have to be our favourite thing to do.
Clean freak or messy Bessie?…
Somewhere in-between.
On my wish list is…
a landscaper! Over the years I have had a crack at the garden but I really have no clue, so to have someone plan a garden that will work all year around would be amazing. I dream of a vegie patch that is easy care and yields delicious food.
When I’m home I like to cook…
when the kids were younger I baked every single day but lost my love for baking five years ago when I became sick (with breast cancer). Lately I’m finding myself in the kitchen more which is nice. When I’m in the mood I like to bake slices and cakes, I also love cooking up a big pot of risotto or a chicken pie.
Fav café/restaurant/ bar…
Oh, that’s like asking me to choose a favourite child! Locally my favourite hang is 303 by the sea at Henley Beach. The food is fresh and tasty, coffee is great, I always bump into a friend and I have an ocean view when perched at my favourite bench.
In my garden I have…
lots of easy care plants and quite a few weeds. The garden has been neglected and with two sons who drive the front lawn has been a bit of a parking lot for a few years but we are planning some landscaping next year. It’s on the list.
When I was a child I wanted to be…
a fashion designer. I would sit in my room on weekends drawing outfits, they usually involved oversized shoulders but to be fair it was the 80’s.
Dream holiday destination…
I would love to explore Copenhagen. We always holiday in coastal areas but a winter in Copenhagen gets me excited!
Something you want to do/achieve in the next 10 years?…
I don’t plan, I just say yes and leap. I would love to keep raising much needed funds for patient care, try my hand at a podcast, maybe design a line of clothes and do more travel.
My neighbours are…
there when we need but keep to themselves. We recently lost a neighbour to cancer, that’s sad as he had been our neighbour for eighteen years.
Home means…
home is the place where I unwind and recharge. It’s where I’m surrounded by my favourite things and family.
I hope you liked the virtual visit to my home.
Loved it Jenni!! Xxx
Thankyou Diana x
Jen, your home looks beautiful, but the best bit for me is picturing the history of love that oozes through your home..
Thanks Bev, a whole lotta living and love x
Your home is welcoming!
May I ask where your sofas on your lounge are from?
Thank you
Thanks Lisa, I think it was The Sofa Shop at marion homemaker centre x
Love your style! Thanks for sharing x
Thanks Nicole x
you have such a cool style Jen. Loe your work 🙂
Thanks Janey x
I love your home! The ‘beachy’ relaxed feel and the little vignettes everywhere you look. Importantly, you are in an area that you love too,. Your home looks loved and reflects your character. I love looking at display homes, (mostly at the furniture) in furniture stores and at second hand shops too. Homes should be welcoming and comfortable, not all shiny surfaces and cold, slippery couches. A nest, whether you are feeling happy or sad. Our home is getting old too and needs some Reno’s. But we love the space in it, especially for entertaining.
I think one of the things that make you such a successful blogger is your accessibility, Jenni. We all love a glimpse into other people’s lives. Thanks for allowing us into yours. Xx
I like the sound of a ‘nest’
A great read and a beautiful house. I love the positive way you think Jen. It inspires me every day.
Thanks Marla, I really think our thoughts can impact our lives so much, so why not try to see the silver lining x
Jenni for me I say thank you, the article reminds me so much of us. I love how you keep it all real.
Your beautiful home is your sanctuary , the incredible Beach is your soul food, ‘Huz’ your soul mate, and children/ health your grounding. What an incredible human being.
Thankyou x
You’re welcome lovely x
What a beautiful story Jen. You are so honest and real – it’s why we love you – keep doing what you do. Tracy x
Thanks Tracy, hope you are well x
Beautiful home Jen…. I went out to get the paper yesterday on purpose to read your article and then totally forgot.
Haha…enjoy it today with a cuppa x
Love your style! You’re a legit interior designer!
❤❤
Great read Jen, definitely can relate, I love changing things around all the time, ( my husband getting home and saying “not again” haha). My home is my haven, we’ve been here 19 years this year, always wanted that for our family. It was a really run down fibro cotttage when we bought the place, but we didn’t care, planning and looking forward to the next project has been part of the journey and still is. Love your house, thanks for sharing x
Changing things around keeps things fresh…and is far cheaper than purchasing something new. Your Huz should thank you 🙂
Hi Jen,
I enjoyed your blog and photos very much. I love the tray with the galah on it and had I seen it, it’s the type of thing I would have picked up too. I love to wander markets , nick nack and foodie markets, I love the feel of everyone out just enjoying wandering in the sunshine.
I am on the eternal quest to find a basket all girls had in the 60’s. They were made from very sturdy wicker/cane, wound in like a cone shape with a flat base. It had a handle that went over the arm and a lid that was attached with the same wicker that swung around to open it. If anyone has one, I would love to buy it from you. It is of little value except for a certain memory in my heart. I’ll keep searching till I eventually stumble across one. My description is terrible but I don’t have a pic of one which would make it easier.
Many of the things you have in your home , would fit in my home and visa Vera, we are eclectic in our taste and bugger off anyone who tells me it’s weird or out of fashion. As I sit here at 11.06 am Monday morning I have fairy lights twinkling around me, just because I like them.
Keep up the good work, I read your blog, post and watch Friday live at 5.
Love, Helen
I hope ypu find the basket helen x
Helen, i may have a similar type of basket, flat round base, no lid tho.. Never had a lid, open top. Would be late 60’s. Sort of a bucket shape with widening thrn narrowing near upper edge, stripes near the top. Live down bottom of Vic.
Jenny
Thanks for sharing and your home is warm and inviting you and Huz have done a great job. 💖💖
Thanks for sharing and your home is warm and inviting you and Huz have done a great job. 💖💖love reading your blogs. Hope you are having a great day. 😘
You’re welcome lovely, thanks maxine x
Lovely photos! You’ve got a really funky style. Very refreshing to read about someone not wanting it all at once & knowing the value of saving for something special. Where did you get your ‘to do & notes’ pads from that were on your desk? Thanks for sharing.
Thanks the stationary is kikki k
I think your home is so warm and comfy. I’m sure it represents you beautifully. It’s a home not a house. Susi
Thanks Susi x
Hi Jen love the pix of your home-definitely a house filled with much love ,joy and happiness-you are always an inspiration to me and others-thanks for sharing 💜😊
Thanks linda x
Lovely cosy, relaxing space. Great style too!
Ps love your carpet/rugs….. I ask you where from?
Enjoy your honesty and sense of fun ….
Thanks rug in main lounge Freedom. Rug in rear lounge kmart
Sounds just like home
Love your home, it’s warmth, and your lifestyle philosophy! We’ve been in our ‘temporary’ home now for nearly 32 years 😅. Raised 2 children, one bathroom – we were not the ‘great unwashed’ – simply organised! We had dreams, we’ve waited and have just done renovations which have turned our ‘temporary house’ into our forever home! Our children have grown up valuing the safe haven that is the family ‘home’ and I’m sure that is what your children will appreciate as well!
We are a one bathroom family too…it’s doable 🙂
I love how you feel about your home. I feel exactly the same. Nothing special to others but somewhere I feel safe and sheltered. My husband and I have worked bloody hard to buy and keep this home and while it’s very small and a little rough around the edges, it’s ours… our little haven that protects us from the world and the collector of so many incredible memories.
I dream one day of owning the classic South Aussie symmetrical cottage in the leafy greens but know that saying goodbye to this one will be heartbreaking.
Love your style… but mostly I love how you feel about your home. You should be super proud to have created a home out of a house.
Hope that home dream comes true for you x
I like your authenticity Jenni! I agree with what you have written, I feel the same about our house. I buy bits and bobs and make them work too. Our house is a place to relax and gather and make memories . We now have a grandson so it all starts again ……