A Fun Melbourne Rental Styled With Memorabilia + Vintage Treasures
Homes
Artwork on far right: ‘Lucky $7’ by Bella McGoldrick. Sofas, black coffee table, and glass side table from Facebook Marketplace. Black tiled side table made by Bertie. Italian art deco lamp bought from a bazaar. Bambou Rugs rug. Cushion from Kim Soo Home.
Bertie’s growing collection of glass art, including Murano handblown boots, on display in the living room.
Interior stylist Bertie Coad and her partner Alessandro in their Newport, Melbourne home.
Red armchair and ottoman from Space Furniture. Glass shelving and orange sofa bought from Facebook Marketplace. Louis Vuitton 1930s trunk. Trunk lamp originally made for a resort in Hayman Island. Bambou Rugs rug. Leather woven ottoman from Space Furniture. ‘The Most Beautiful Girls in Ibiza’ artwork by Bella McGoldrick. Spider Woman V print by Moon Patrol from Outre Gallery. Other objects and prints gifted or thrifted.
‘This coffee table/ottoman changes display weekly. I love moving around my books and opening them to different pages,’ says Bertie.
Artwork from left to right: butterfly artwork by DFace; works by Bertie’s mother Cath Davison. Green cabinet bought from Facebook Marketplace and painted. Candlestick holders from a bazaar. Murano handblown glass boots. Burgundy perspex box from House of Alberta — a homeware collection designed by Bertie.
Artwork on left painted by Alessandro. Butterfly artwork by DFace. Chrome cantilever chair reupholstered in cowhide by Bertie’s father. Cream armchair bought from a garage sale. Green cabinet bought from Facebook Marketplace and painted. Lamp base from Facebook Marketplace with lamp shade from a vintage bazaar. Leather dining chairs from Invaluable auction house.
Artwork from left to right: painting by Alessandro; butterfly artwork by DFace; works by Bertie’s mother Cath Davison; and Mirka Mora painting. Chrome cantilever chair reupholstered in cowhide by Bertie’s father. Cream armchair bought from a garage sale. Green cabinet bought from Facebook Marketplace and painted. Lamp base from Facebook Marketplace with lamp shade from a vintage bazaar. Leather dining chairs from Invaluable auction house. Chair on right made and designed by Alessandro.. Mirror bought from Leonard Joel. 1970s dining purchased from Kenney & Co.
Mirka Mora painting. Mirror bought from Leonard Joel. Chair made and designed by Alessandro. 1970s dining purchased from Kenney & Co. Art on left by Bertie’s mother, Cath Davison.
Vases and knick knacks from markets and op-shops in the kitchen.
Entrance to the living room ‘I wanted this space to feel like a beautiful entrance into that room, to set the vibe. I’ve always loved circular furniture in the centre of a room, I think it’s grand and makes an interesting entranced,’ says Bertie. Vintage cherry wood screen. Norman Archibald armchair. Vintage hat box from Alessandro’s mother. Drawers, mirror, and candlestick holder from Facebook Marketplace. Lamp from Etsy. The Old Masquerade print from Outre Gallery.
Stained glass window in the bathroom.
Guest bedroom. Sheet Society bedding. Quilt from Kim Soo Home. Side tables and lamp from Facebook Marketplace. 1930s mohair rug. Artwork by Jan Senbergs.
Main bedroom. ‘I wanted to keep it simple and sleek in here,’ says Bertie. Black and white images by Jack Nelson. Painted vintage mirrors. Studio Lixx Candy Cube. Ikea light. Sheet Society bedding. Black and white throw from Kim Soo Home. Bambou Rugs rug.
Bertie Coad’s home is a rental, but that hasn’t stopped the interior stylist from making it her own.
Bertie and her partner Alessandro were attracted to the Newport, Melbourne property for its character, and generous spaces, well suited to entertaining. ‘We love to host and this is such a fantastic space for this,’ she says.
These elements were enough to overcome some of the less desirable assets in the property — namely the grey carpet and white walls. ‘If I wasn’t renting, almost every wall would be painted. Imagine burgundy, terracotta, cream and cobalt!’
Bertie grew up watching her father collect and source vintage furniture and wares, so she channelled this same energy into styling her own home. ‘I just buy what I love, even if it doesn’t match the other pieces that I love,’ she says.
The living room epitomises her style, which Bertie describes as loud, fun, and creative. Memorabilia lines the walls sourced far and wide from Facebook Marketplace, eBay, vintage bazaars, antique stores, op shops, auctions, garage sales, and markets
Glass is a key material of the home, as seen across the dining table, side tables, and decorative pieces displayed on living room shelves. Bertie’s favourite pieces are the 1930s handmade French glass tulips, and her growing collection of Murano handblown glass boots. ‘I have three and won’t stop until I have 100!’
Personal art adds a sentimental and unique touch, including works made by Alessandro and even a 1963 painting by Mirka Mora, who was a friend of Bertie’s father.
The home is busy, full of life, and a perfect reflection of the creative couple who live here!