Inside the eclectic Melbourne home of a photographer

By Heather Nette King July 17, 2021 â€" 9.00am

Take inspiration from some of Australia’s best living spaces, featured in Sunday Life. This artistic home is forever evolving to keep pace with its owners’ passions.

“I used an image I shot in an Austrian castle, Schloss Hollenegg, to create wallpaper for my desk and to make a frock to wear to my book launch. It’s deeply inspiring,” says Robyn.Credit:Armelle Habib

The home
A two-storey Victorian home with five bedrooms in Melbourne’s inner-eastern suburbs.

Who lives here
Robyn Lea, photographer and author of A Room of Her Own (Thames & Hudson), with her husband Tim Hunt, a commodities analyst, children Isabella, 15, Freddie, 13, and Magnolia the Beagalier puppy.

Robyn’s sitting room features a mural by Russian artist Ekaterina Panikanova. The chairs are from Early Settler and the table is from Family Love Tree.Credit:Armelle Habib

What we did
“We did an extensive renovation on the home about 12 years ago, then enlisted the help of Penelope Scott Interiors to do our window furnishings,” says Robyn.

Favourite room
“My office, as it’s an evolving collection of inspiring books, artworks and objects,” says Robyn. “It currently includes Italian-made plates by La DoubleJ, artworks by Charles Pollock, Nathalie Lété and John Benn, and four different wallpapers.”

Robyn’s office is a source of inspiration to her. Ceramics, books, cherished mementos and artworks form “a constantly changing installation”. Credit:Armelle Habib

The ’hood
“It’s a small neighbourhood with great local cafes, shops and a family-friendly feel,” says Robyn.

Future plans
“I can’t help subjecting the family to a continually changing interior homescape,” says Robyn. “It’s a natural extension of the visual storytelling in my photos and the stories I write about artists.”

“Many of our paintings are by the artist John Benn â€" he and his wife Sara were family friends,” says Robyn. The console is from Family Love Tree.Credit:Armelle Habib

Best advice
“Decorate to please yourself â€" it’s your nest, after all,” says Robyn. “If you love it, it will love you right back.”

“When we first saw the majestic magnolia tree in the back garden I knew the home was right for us,” Robyn says. “It reminds me of The Magic Faraway Tree.”Credit:Armelle Habib

This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale July 18. To read more from Sunday Life, visit The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

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