Home front: Maryanne Shearer

Your first home?

The first house I bought was a great old Edwardian with four bedrooms and an outside bathroom in North Fitzroy. We turned it into our home by filling it with so much stuff we loved, plants and rugs and old things we collected from anywhere we stopped the car for more than five minutes. Over eight years, we repainted all the surfaces carefully and created an old-meets-new look and feel.  I have very fond memories of my time there.

Your first share house?

I shared a house with several people in my late teens in East St Kilda. It was like a train station with all of the comings and goings.  If you find friends you have fun with it, it doesn’t really mean you can share a house and create a homey environment. A family home that works always has a silent list of things to do and each family member knows their place and what is expected of them.
 

The suburb you love?

I really love South Yarra around the Botanic Gardens.  I walk there often as the gardens are beautiful and the houses are a stunning mix of old and new.  It’s close to everything with access to walking and bike tracks that lead all over Melbourne.

Your home style?

Less is more. I love space and light. I enjoy modern clever space that hides the operational side of a home and enhances the sense of relaxation and homeliness.  High ceilings, technology that makes life easy, and lots of flowers are good.

Period home or contemporary?

I prefer contemporary to period but a mix of the two done well is always such a surprise. I’m addicted to design mags as I love to see what type of homes people are creating in countries from Japan to France. 

Most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession as the “tea lady” is my collection of Japanese handcrafted teapots and canisters. I have them hidden away in a cupboard and only have one on display at a time so I can enjoy its beauty. I also have a large collection of books.

Best homeware shop?

Fenton & Fenton in Armadale do a fun job. I also do a lot of looking around while I’m travelling. I don’t buy a lot but when I do I have to love it. 
 

Maryanne Shearer’s T2: The Book (Penguin), $39.99, is out on September 23.