Step Inside an Arty Haven: Bluethumb’s Freddy Featured in REA Video Home Tour
Following on from last year’s extremely popular blog, our PR & comms manager Freddy Grant has continued to attract the attention of Australia’s design community with his home and art collection. Having already reached international audiences on Houzz, and with a Broadsheet write up coming soon, the Melbourne interiors enthusiast has just been featured on realestate.com.au. The team at realestate.com.au love “the genius way he uses his art to inject style, warmth and personality into his space” so much they visited his art-filled home for their own personal video tour.
While inside the 1920 weatherboard, they couldn’t resist getting a few tips from Freddy on how he achieved his retro look. With a wealth of advice up his sleeve, Freddy focuses on his love for secondhand treasures and art. Finding gems at local op shops, he often gives them a purpose different to what they were intended for. A prime example is the teak rack he stores his brogues in which was once pigeon holes at the post office.
Stepping further into the light filled space, Freddy points out the ever-growing art collection. The portrait wall, which was a favourite in our blog last May, has grown further to include works from Jemma Cakebread and Rosemary Whatmuff. His tip is not to be too perfect with the spacing when creating a gallery wall. As a whole it will work and makes it much easier to keep adding to.
“Minimalism is overrated” is Freddy’s philosophy. He’s no fan of Marie Kondo!
Continuing into the kitchen, Freddy delves further into how his collection of vintage accoutrements have livened up his kitchen. And of course the kitchen has gained more art recently! Proudly hanging above the dining table now is The Pukara Rock Hole by 2010 Indigenous Art Award-winner Jimmy Donegan. The striking artwork ties the orange canisters in Freddy’s kitchen with the blue lamp in his dining area nicely, finishing off the space with finesse.
“I think it’s human instinct to collect and arrange things – most people do it in some way – so I guess that’s why it gives you a rush and continues to be satisfying when you look at all the rubbish you’ve accumulated,” he laughs.
“You should only allow things you adore through the front door,” says Freddy Grant.
Alongside the video tour is rapid-fire interview entitled ‘5 Minutes with Freddy’. With little time to prepare answers, Freddy shares an insight into what life in this home feels like. Discussing topics like the artwork he considers to be a bargain (an early piece by Kim Leutwyler, of course!) and the planning that went into creating the welcoming space, it’s an intriguing peek inside his mind.
Discover what’s next for this gorgeous mid-century inspired home in the article on realestate.com.au.
