1. wordonthestreetLooking on the bright side is easy for this creative director. His Melbourne home glows
with neon signs, tongue-in-cheek art and whimsical reuses of found objects
words NIGEL BARTLETT styling GLen Proebstel photographY MARk ROPER
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2. wooden it be nice
“I love the contrast between the wood and the
concrete,” says homeowner Tom of the kitchen
(opposite), which he built himself, even pouring
and casting the benches in his backyard.
The raw grain of Oregon timber brings tactile
texture, while the concrete gives an urban feel.
Tip: Tom powder-coated the stools in hot
hues to contrast with the raw materials. ➔
home truths
Who lives here: Tom Adair, creative director of
bedlinen and homewares company Abode Living;
his partner Nikki Williams, a fashion buyer; and
their dog Sookie, a Rhodesian ridgeback cross.
Style of home: Tom and Nikki converted a two-
bedroom 1890s worker’s cottage in Melbourne’s
Richmond into a one-bedroom home.
INSIDE: HOMES
3. express yourself “Art is a
great creative outlet,” says Tom, who produced
most of the home’s art pieces. “I have all these
mad ideas that I can’t use in bedlinen, so this
is a good way for me to express my craziness.”
He goes by the name of Juan Mcarb (juanmcarb.
com), creating commissioned pieces, although
he hopes to hold an exhibition soon.
Tip: Large artworks work well in small spaces.
“usingfluorosanddashesofcolour
inmyartworkhasprogressedinto
theinteriorstylingofthehouse”
artworks:(opposite,topleft)immersion9#andwalkingintheshadow,bothbykanealexander
88 / Inside Out
4. couch potato “We wanted a big, deep sofa
to act as a centrepiece, and this one [the ‘Jasper’ lounge] from
King Furniture was perfect,” says Tom. “The living and dining
area was intended to be open and relaxed, so a low couch
enables you to sit and talk easily to whoever is in the kitchen.”
Tip: Extending an L-shaped sofa along the length of
a wall offers ample seating, and even a bed, for guests.
shelf life The kitchen’s subway tiles, from National
Tiles, were expertly installed by Nikki, a first-time tiler. Open
shelving prevents this narrow area feeling claustrophobic.
“Bulky cupboards extending all the way up to the ceiling
would have really closed in the kitchen,” explains Tom.
Tip: Everyday essentials can make beautiful displays. “We
use the items frequently so dirt doesn’t build up,” says Tom.
hang outBaskets of greenery break up and
soften a stark backyard fence. Planter boxes, which Tom
made from old railway sleepers, work well in a tight space
where a wilful dog is liable to destroy anything at ground
level. “We originally had grass around the edges, but Sookie
kept tearing it up and it looked a mess,” explains Tom.
Tip: A raised garden creates interest. “Elevating the plants
adds more dimension to the backyard,” says Tom. ➔
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INSIDE: HOMES
6. finders keepers
Tom’s home showcases decorative imagination.
A bull’s head (“My dad calls me Skull Boy – I find
them intriguing,” says Tom) sits near an old notice
on the bathroom and a road sign. “It’s a joke
between Nikki and me,” says Tom of the sign.
“We’ll keep it forever.” The patina of the table and
the By Joost ‘Rio’ column add industrial appeal.
Tip: Consider every corner of your space as
a multi-layered way to showcase pieces. ➔
INSIDE: HOMES
7. light show At the flick of a switch,
one of Tom’s neon artworks infuses the white
bedroom with a vivid pink glow that floods out
to the street. “The front of the house is so clean
and classic, and then there’s this rush of fluoro
pink,” says Tom of the effect. “It looks great.”
Tip: Keep decor simple in a small bedroom
– the neon light here is enough. “Anything
else would feel cluttered,” says Tom.
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8. nature’s best Timber isn’t just for rustic
homes, but for urban dwellings as well. “We wanted a
contemporary look with a natural-material influence,”
says Tom. He loves the bathroom tiles’ matte finish and
very subtle neutral shade, which changes with the light.
Tip: Allow plenty of time to choose tiles. “We looked at
10 or 15 samples before we were happy,” says Tom.
treasure hunt Ornaments can be found in
the most surprising places. Tom found the toy car under the
bathroom floor he’d ripped up; it now has its own place in the
kitchen. “We don’t have favourite stores for shopping,” he says.
“If we see something while out or travelling, we’ll bring it home.”
Tip: Play around with your ornaments for a personal
vignette and mix them up occasionally for variety.
smoking hot“The number of people who stop
to take pictures of the ‘Macarbro’ cigarette is incredible,” says
Tom of the piece he created by painting the pole which protects
the house from trucks that turn into a factory next door. “It’s on
our title, so there was no problem with the council,” he says.
Tip: Art has a place outside the home, too. C
For more details on Abode Living, visit abodeliving.com.
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