Stace, Kent & Lex, Warrandyte VIC
Words by Elisha Kennedy
Images by Bobby Clark
One of the best things about Melbourne is that it's a quick trip to nature. In their newly renovated home in the hills just 40 minutes northeast of Melbourne, Stacey, Kent and their daughter Lex enjoy the peace and serenity of living amongst the natural landscape. Their home is a sanctuary - filled with artworks by friends and mementos from their native New Zealand.
Firstly, can you tell us a bit about what each of you do?
We created Little Company together, a self care business focusing on natural skincare and living skin facials. I split my time between being a mum and working in the Cremorne space. I’m dedicated to staff development and taking care of my clients. Kent helps out a bit with Little Company development and has returned back to his marketing business within the sustainability and renewable energy category.
How did the two of you meet?
We met on a beach in Mt Maunganui, located between both of our home towns, Rotorua and Whakatane, New Zealand. We were 19, Kent was pretending to read a book, but was actually looking to pickup girls. It worked.
Tell us a bit about your beautiful home, you have just finished renovations.
The previous owner left us with an easy job with such beautiful bones. The original piece is a Alistair Knox fishing cabin built in the 70s. The new part and the studio were added later. We stripped it back a bit, replaced the floors with terrazzo, replaced the lighting throughout, let light through the ceiling and added furnishing and plants. We came from a modern place, so had to furnish from scratch; op shops, bazaars, eBay and gumtree have been our go-tos.
The original piece is a Alistair Knox fishing cabin built in the 70s.
What are some objects or pieces you own which bring you joy?
Loving some of our references to home (NZ) at the moment; our sheep and Temuka ceramics. Also, the Akari light sculpture, Vernon Panton bachelor chairs and of course our pals art; Shayna Quinn’s print of our Lexie, Bobby’s painting, Steve (Den Holm’s) Limestone and Sebastian Sarria’s illustration of Ziz (our old boy staffie).
IN BED linen duvet set featured in Stacey's home
What are some of the things that you love about living in Warrandyte?
The simplicity of life and the community. Driving home via a bushy gravel road passing wombats and foxes. Waking up to the native birds, the many narrow trails and the sound of the running river, and all this only 30 minutes to the city. It is very easy for the shoulders to drop and the breathe to slow in this environment.
The simplicity of life and the community. Driving home via a bushy gravel road passing wombats and foxes. Waking up to the native birds, the many narrow trails and the sound of the running river, and all this only 30 minutes to the city.
Stacey, can you share with us a bit about your personal skincare routine?
It’s pretty simple really, we believe in supporting the skin to do what it does naturally. I stay away from anything harsh and focus on protecting the skin’s natural process. In the morning I freshen the skin with a japanese face cloth, mist my face using Sodashi’s rejuvenating mist, apply Nuori perfecting oil and a Nuori Moisturiser. At night I cleanse using Sodashi’s rejuvenating cleanser and apply MV Organics rose boost (no moisturiser at night). Weekly I include in my routine MV’s signature clay mask and Sodashi’s nourishing repair treatment.
Do you have a morning routine?
Kent heads to yoga in Fitzroy at 5:30am, I wake up and have a hot apple cider vinegar and take a short moment to set my intentions for the day. I often go for a short bush walk and spend a moment down at our swimming hole at the end of the block. I then include a stretch on the mat and then make Lex and Ziz some breakfast at the table.
A bedtime routine?
At the moment we stoke the fire, enjoy a couple of cups of chamomile after Lex goes to bed, sometimes play cards, sometimes play the guitar and sometimes disagree over what movie to watch and often Kent falls asleep after 5 minutes into the movie on the sheepskin in front of the fire.
What are some things you are looking forward to this year?
Meeting our second little girl due this month. Maybe start working on Little Company 2 by end of the year (shhhh). Airbnb’ing our home and taking a trip north to Byron for a short while.