A Creative Carlton Cottage

Not all share houses are created equal. Today’s much loved rental house in Carlton is at a slight advantage, with TV buyer / set dresser Courtney Webb in residence.

The home Courtney has created here with housemate Maddy Worthington (who also works in TV production) is a cosy, creative space that speaks volumes about the house-proud pals that live here.

Written

Lucy Feagins

Supported by Dulux

‘Our collection of indoor plants is usually the first thing people comment on,’ begins Courtney Webb. ‘We have had plenty of disasters but we persist because plants add such a wonderful ambience to a space and we like that we are cultivating a beautiful home environment by nurturing our indoor greenery.’ Production/styling – Lucy Feagins. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Inside the Carlton share-house rental of Courtney Webb. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Production/styling – Lucy Feagins. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Courtney co-runs a slow craft business called Warped Threads with Nicky Cawood, and she has created many of the weavings displayed throughout the home. Production/styling – Lucy Feagins. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Vintage glassware, bamboo canisters, and jugs collected by the housemates. Production/styling – Lucy Feagins. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

‘We love the original stained glass panels in the door leading from the hallway to the kitchen,’ says Courtney. Production/styling – Lucy Feagins. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Rug from West Elm, sofa by Berkowitz and other furniture adopted from shows set buyer/dressers Courtney and Maddy have worked on. ‘The high ceiling and skylights in the kitchen and living room make the space feel so big and open but the timber floors and soft furnishings help to make the space cosy and warm,’ explains Courtney. Production/styling – Lucy Feagins. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The light and bright space, features artwork made by Maddy and photograph by Lucien Graetz. Production/styling – Lucy Feagins. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

‘The light and bright living room is my favourite place in the house,’ tells Courtney. ‘This chair, from Adairs, is a super comfy spot to read or weave the afternoon away.’Production/styling – Lucy Feagins. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Courtney at home, with vintage tennis court sign.

‘…which doubles as my yarn and loom storage space; the joys of share housing!’ jokes Courtney. Woven wall hanging by Little Loom. Production/styling – Lucy Feagins. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Writer

Lucy Feagins

15th of August 2017

Melbourne’s rental market is not for the faint hearted. Great rental properties are in short supply (2.2 per cent vacancy rate currently, as reported by the REIV) and the most covetable rentals often bypass traditional advertising, instead being handed down from tenant-to-tenant via word of mouth.

This sweet two bedroom worker’s cottage in Carlton is one such property, having been passed directly through the hands of various tenants over the past 10 years. Friends Courtney Webb and Maddy Worthington have lived here together for the last two years. Being renters, they haven’t made any major changes, but this hasn’t stopped them putting their own stamp on the place.

Working as a set dresser means Courtney spends much of her time sourcing interesting furniture, furnishings, homewares and props for TV shows and film – many of which find their way into her home once a production wraps up. ‘I love our big one-and-a-half seater armchair which I purchased at the end of a job this year’ she mentions. The pair also treasure the various artworks which adorn their walls, many by friends, and others acquired again from film and tv jobs.

When not working on Melbourne’s latest TV show, Courtney is also a passionate crafter, and runs a small weaving business called Warped Threads, with fellow crafter Nicky Cawood. Her unique woven wall hangings are on high rotation at home, adding a distinctive layer of colour and texture to the space.

Self described as a combination of ‘Scandinavian minimalist and the Justina Blakeney ‘Jungalow’ style’, Courtney and Maddy’s home is a vibrant, ever-changing space. ‘I love feeling cosy but not closed-in, so there is definitely a fine line between having just enough and way too much stuff!’ Courtney says. The versatile creative also enjoys changing things around every now at then – ‘I am a big fan of throws, cushions and rugs to change up a space’ she says.

‘Having rented ever since I moved out of home 15 years ago, this is the first place I have felt like I could really ‘live’ in’ Courtney surmises. ‘I feel very much at home here.’