How to do colour

We think it's probably quite rare for people to buy old homes and not change anything. It's especially remarkable when the new house has a highly personal and rather brave colour scheme that comes with it. When Judy Park bought her 1920's home, she loved her inherited reds and oranges and pinks and yellows and embraced them as the perfect backdrop for her own unique style.

 Nostalgic pieces and family portraits pop with freshness and fun

against their vibrant backdrop. The painting on the right is Judy's 

grandaughter Lottie (now 20) painted by her mother Sassy. It's

based on the idea of a 17th Century portrait with the Park family

motto. See http://sassypark.com/ for more of her fabulous work.

The centrepiece table and single chair are from Judy's parents 

home. Judy's mother loved buying wonderful pieces from

auction - a talent Judy shares. Judy discovered she also has a 

talent for French polishing after a little mishap with the table.  

Apparently layers of newspaper do not protect varnish from

lifting while doing a bit of handiwork with metho!  

 


Leslie Moline, a family friend and artist, painted the large portrait

of Judy's mother in the 1950's and the smaller ones of Judy's

son and daughter when they were little. Apparently Leslie lacked

confidence in her work - amazing we know. Judy's supportive

mother commissioned the artist to paint the family.

Clearly this was a win-win arrangement!

Judy loves bentwood chairs and bought this one when she

married. It's been recovered several times since and we love

this subtle classic floral against that wall.







A zinc top kitchen table and chairs bought at auction originally

came from a Domestic Science School

(the Tech. Colleges of the 1950's). The wording on the back

of the chairs reflect the domestic skills taught to the young

female students. Judy bought six chairs but only three had

writing on the back - the other three she stencilled to match with 

made up lessons; "Laundry", "Sewing" and "Baby care".

Fabulous!




Judy's collection of muted milky tones began with a milk glass

goblet bought in 1959 from Marion Best fabrics in Woollahra. 

We confess we're thrilled that Judy visited the first shop in Sydney

selling Scandinavian design. 

The groundbreaking shop closed in 1974 but see www.hht.net.au/online_features/highlights/finding_aids/marion_hall_best_collection 

for a fascinating insight into the legendary Marion Hall Best.

Judy has been adding to this beautiful collection ever since,

including hand made porcelain made by daughter Sassy.

 


An adventurous use of colour looks incredible in this sumptious

room. The rich red walls are capped with an orange ceilng. And

we love the stark white wall asserting itself through the doorway.



This fireplace is just stunning - such a feminine colour but striking
effect.



The lovely peasant lady on the right of the window was bought in

Russia on a trip by ship from Moscow to St. Petersburg.

Judy loves it's naivety - the cows outsizing the chickens -

and she wishes she had more of this artist's colourful work.

Judy laments there was no time to shop - the MS.Tolstoy was

about to leave!





Judy has portraits of all her children painted by talented 

Rockhampton artist, Ben Wichkam. This young boy

however, was adopted from hard rubbish day! 

Judy's "adopted son" has replaced the portrait of Judy's

younger son (who has been relegated to the dressing

room as he wasn't keen on his portrait).



Judy says this home has a very welcoming feel and that she

was very lucky to buy it.

We couldn't agree more.

Thankyou so much Judy for sharing your beautiful home with us.