Houzz Tours
At Home With ... Stylist and Adventurer Kara Rosenlund
Step inside the treasure-trove home of Brisbane-based prop stylist and blogger Kara. Comment on this post for your chance to win a prize
Kara Rosenlund had plenty of strings to add to her bow, even before she took Instagram by storm with a feed of perfectly styled, soulful shots of interiors from all over the country. She’s a successful prop stylist, photographer and blogger, and – after years of finding inspiration from markets overseas – she’s now a vintage homewares retailer, too. Determined to hunt Australia for vintage treasures to share, Kara renovated a vintage 1956 Franklin caravan – otherwise known as ‘Frankie’ (who is almost as renowned on social media as she is) – into a shop on the move called Travelling Wares, where beautiful one-of-a-kind homewares collected on her travels fill the interior and spill out onto tables and chairs when parked up.
Kara’s blog records her journey from stylist to traveller to collector – and back again – in a casual, comfortable manner that’s as sociable as her Instagram account. It’s filled with everything from recipes to clever styling tricks and, more recently, documents her road trip around Australia to delve deeper into “how Australian’s live”. So where does Kara hang her hat when she’s not on the move? Her home is as you’d expect, a soothing, authentic and traditional space that is respectful of its origins, and that allows her treasured finds a space to soak into. Find out more home truths below.
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Kara’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Queen B – has now been announced. Well done Melle Roberts Interiors, VIC.
Kara’s blog records her journey from stylist to traveller to collector – and back again – in a casual, comfortable manner that’s as sociable as her Instagram account. It’s filled with everything from recipes to clever styling tricks and, more recently, documents her road trip around Australia to delve deeper into “how Australian’s live”. So where does Kara hang her hat when she’s not on the move? Her home is as you’d expect, a soothing, authentic and traditional space that is respectful of its origins, and that allows her treasured finds a space to soak into. Find out more home truths below.
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Kara’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Queen B – has now been announced. Well done Melle Roberts Interiors, VIC.
What made you start blogging?
I wanted to create a platform to be able to connect with people, which it really did allow me to do. I tend to live on Instagram more and more these days, and I still do love my blog but Instagram is where all my loves collide.
A DIY hat rack in the hallway is a practical choice for the morning rush.
I wanted to create a platform to be able to connect with people, which it really did allow me to do. I tend to live on Instagram more and more these days, and I still do love my blog but Instagram is where all my loves collide.
A DIY hat rack in the hallway is a practical choice for the morning rush.
How long have you lived in this house for and how did you and your house meet?
We’ve been in the house for five years now. I was in London at the time and I spotted this sweet little worker’s cottage online. It was love at first sight.
Kara and Timothy’s Pekin Bantam chickens – Bettina, Nigella and Trixie – sit pretty on the whitewashed kitchen floors.
We’ve been in the house for five years now. I was in London at the time and I spotted this sweet little worker’s cottage online. It was love at first sight.
Kara and Timothy’s Pekin Bantam chickens – Bettina, Nigella and Trixie – sit pretty on the whitewashed kitchen floors.
What are your favourite rooms in the house?
I love my kitchen because it’s a hive of activity and houses my most treasured finds. Second to that would be my bathroom (below). I love nothing more than taking a bath in the old cast-iron claw foot.
Functional kitchen tools hang off an old pulley system that’s attached to the open kitchen shelving.
I love my kitchen because it’s a hive of activity and houses my most treasured finds. Second to that would be my bathroom (below). I love nothing more than taking a bath in the old cast-iron claw foot.
Functional kitchen tools hang off an old pulley system that’s attached to the open kitchen shelving.
How would you describe your decorating style?
It’s collected, authentic, has a neutral colour palette and celebrates the functionality of objects.
What’s your signature dish?
I love cooking hearty European meals that need polenta or crusty bread to clean the plate with. Duck ragu hits the spot!
It’s collected, authentic, has a neutral colour palette and celebrates the functionality of objects.
What’s your signature dish?
I love cooking hearty European meals that need polenta or crusty bread to clean the plate with. Duck ragu hits the spot!
Where do you love to write and what could you not write without?
I write anywhere! I really enjoy writing on the road, which is where I’m most inspired. I couldn’t write without this inspiration around me.
I write anywhere! I really enjoy writing on the road, which is where I’m most inspired. I couldn’t write without this inspiration around me.
What’s your proudest DIY achievement?
Renovating Frankie, my little 1956 Travelling Wares caravan. She was harder than I first thought but was well worth the effort and has seemed to take on a personality of her own.
Renovating Frankie, my little 1956 Travelling Wares caravan. She was harder than I first thought but was well worth the effort and has seemed to take on a personality of her own.
What makes you happiest at home?
When I’m left to my own devices and can play and rearrange my bits and pieces to my heart’s content while listening to some of my favourite music.
Knoll ‘Saarinen’ table with Calcutta marble top.
When I’m left to my own devices and can play and rearrange my bits and pieces to my heart’s content while listening to some of my favourite music.
Knoll ‘Saarinen’ table with Calcutta marble top.
To me, great design is …?
Timeless.
The mantle in the living room was made from an old plank of wood. On top live Queen B candles, a portrait found at an antiques fair and animal bones from a recent trip to the desert.
Timeless.
The mantle in the living room was made from an old plank of wood. On top live Queen B candles, a portrait found at an antiques fair and animal bones from a recent trip to the desert.
What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
Check my Instagram!
These old arched windows were rescued at a local salvage shop and take pride of place in the bedroom as a headboard.
Check my Instagram!
These old arched windows were rescued at a local salvage shop and take pride of place in the bedroom as a headboard.
You will not see [blank] in any house of mine.
Neon.
Neon.
What’s your next big project?
At the moment I’m working on a book project that is taking me all around Australia shooting authentic interiors. So far it has been such a wonderful adventure and I’ve had the opportunity to meet some truly amazing – and often inspiring – people on my journey.
What do you love to do on Sunday afternoons?
I love just sitting in the backyard with my husband Timothy O and our little Pekin Bantams running around our ankles. A gin and tonic in my hand is an afternoon well spent.
Visit kararosenlund.com to find out more about Kara’s adventures, read her blog, browse her shop and find out when Travelling Wares is next coming to town.
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Kara’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Queen B – has now been announced. Well done Melle Roberts Interiors, VIC.
If you’d like to submit your blog for this series, follow the instructions found here.
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
At Home With … Amanda O’Sullivan From RedAgape Blog
At Home With … Eva Burgess From Build House Home Blog
At the moment I’m working on a book project that is taking me all around Australia shooting authentic interiors. So far it has been such a wonderful adventure and I’ve had the opportunity to meet some truly amazing – and often inspiring – people on my journey.
What do you love to do on Sunday afternoons?
I love just sitting in the backyard with my husband Timothy O and our little Pekin Bantams running around our ankles. A gin and tonic in my hand is an afternoon well spent.
Visit kararosenlund.com to find out more about Kara’s adventures, read her blog, browse her shop and find out when Travelling Wares is next coming to town.
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Kara’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Queen B – has now been announced. Well done Melle Roberts Interiors, VIC.
If you’d like to submit your blog for this series, follow the instructions found here.
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
At Home With … Amanda O’Sullivan From RedAgape Blog
At Home With … Eva Burgess From Build House Home Blog
Name: Kara Rosenlund
Nickname: Always wanted one, never given one.
Blog: kararosenlund.com
Home: A three-bedroom 1890s worker’s cottage that she shares with her husband Timothy O’Brien and their flock of Pekin Bantam chickens.
Locaton: Brisbane