An Artist & Creative Director’s 1970’s Pad

Creative couple Tabitha & Oliver discovered a 1970’s time capsule in their South Bowenfels home: ‘brick, timber, vintage tiles, vaulted ceilings, and windows everywhere’. Its angular design, in keeping with architecture of the day, offers views of their 26 acres: a respite they return to after splitting their time between the mountains and the city. Living in a space layered in history has taught Tabitha the virtue of patience, adding to their collection of furniture, artwork and music (now a creative director, Oli used to work for EMI Records) over time. This week, we talk to the multidisciplinary artist about the joy of both rural & urban living, and her love for the textile craft of tufting: art you can feel.

The main bed is dressed with our European bed linen in Lake & Mist

“Oliver and I bought the house in January 2024 after a brief and slightly disheartening search for something in Sydney. Expanding our search to the Blue Mountains changed everything — we stumbled across this listing and fell for it immediately.

We’ve always loved 1970s architecture, and this place had all the charm we adore.

“We’ve always loved 1970s architecture, and this place had all the charm we adore: brick, timber, vintage tiles, vaulted ceilings, and windows everywhere...a fast track to my heart. We love the way the light moves through the house throughout the day. Being here feels like one long exhale. Oliver’s son Jake (12) has the room with the best view in the house.”

The family's dining table is layered with our 100% Linen Table Cloth in Khaki & Napkin Set in Lilac

“Our bedroom is incredibly calming. The mix of timber, brick, high ceilings, and the warm glow through the curtains makes it the perfect recipe for slow Sunday mornings. We have a view of the field from our window, and when the roos are out there in the morning, it definitely makes it harder to get out of bed.”

We have a view of the field from our window, and when the roos are out there in the morning, it definitely makes it harder to get out of bed.

Jake's bed is made with a combination of our Lake, Mist & Chestnut European bedding

“Both Oli and I love music and have a pretty decent record collection. Oli used to work for EMI in London, so he picked up some pearlers there. I spent much of the last decade travelling for work and would buy a record everywhere I went. I’ve put a little sticker on each one with where I picked it up - my version of a fridge magnet.”

“I have always been a collector of things, with a preference for pieces that have been searched for or found at a flea market/ op shop. I’m also a sucker for Marketplace. We’ve decided not to rush to fill the house but to be comfortable with empty spaces while we wait for the pieces we really love. This house has taught me that not everything needs to be done yesterday… patience, patience, patience.”

We’ve decided not to rush to fill the house but to be comfortable with empty spaces while we wait for the pieces we really love.

“I’m a multidisciplinary artist working out of my studio in Paddington. My first love was graphic design and it still sits at the core of my practice, but I also create illustration and calligraphy work for fashion/brand events & weddings all over the world. And in an effort to work more with my hands, I fell in love with tufting. It’s a hands-on process that blends colour, pattern, and dimension into art you can quite literally run your hands over. Tufting feels like a beautiful meeting point of design and lettering, colour and illustration, all wrapped up in this tactile medium. It’s art you can feel… quite literally. We even have one of my pieces hanging in our kitchen nook.”

"Surrounded by the warm tones of the house’s raw materials, we wanted the textiles to bring in cooler tones. The tonal blue bedding soothes the soul. I wish I could say [our bedtime rituals] didn’t involve our phones but alas. We often fall asleep listening to lawn tips on YouTube. "

“We’ve definitely taken the path less travelled and now split our time between the mountains and Sydney. It feels like a real privilege to start the day in the sea and then watch the sun go down over the escarpment.”

“If you asked Oli and me what drew us to the place first, you’d get two very different answers. For me, it was the living room — the vaulted ceilings and fireplace had me at hello. Oli, on the other hand, fell for the land. With 26 acres to play on, he and Jake have been building their own downhill mountain-biking trails and spend their weekends riding & building dirt jumps.”

The spare bedroom is finished with our Oversized Textured Cotton Bed Cover in Lake & Off-white, and in the living room our Heavy Linen square cushion cover sits atop a plush chocolate brown sofa

“We have the luxury of being surrounded by some of the most beautiful national parks. The Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves, and Wollemi are all on our doorstep. We recently bought the SWIM Blue Mountains coffee table book and plan to work our way through its hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes this summer. The Tarana Markets are another favourite — held on the fourth Sunday of every month, they’re the perfect way to support local makers and producers. We’re also big fans of Dimmey’s (iykyk). It always coughs up the most random gems — including the pants Oli is wearing in the shoot.”

“We have a long list of things we are scheming up for the house including a booth in the kitchen nook, an outdoor entertaining area and the ultimate dream is a pool and sauna to enjoy the views.”

@tabitha.h.o.p.e

@oliverhammerton