Celebrating 'Puberty Blues' With Debbie and Sue's Reimagined Retro Home
This Australia Day, we look at an iconic Aussie novel and the home where its main characters may live today
Kate Macdessi
26 January 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a freelance writer and live in Sydney's beautiful inner west. I fell in love with interior design and architecture back in 1978 when I first caught a glimpse of Mike Brady and his funky split-level den. That Carol was one lucky lady.
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a freelance writer and live in Sydney's beautiful... More
Puberty Blues is a ‘roolly top’ novel, written in 1979 by Gabrielle Carey and Kathy Lette. The authors were best friends who met at high school in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire (a suburban area bordered by the southern beaches of Sydney where much of the action was set). They both left school early and moved in together to write the book, which was the first novel published in Australia that was written by teens, for teens.
When it hit the shelves it sent shock waves through Australian society. It was a brutally honest depiction of surf culture in Australia, and worried more than a few parents with its description of underage sex, drinking and drug use. Lette describes the book as “Literary Vegemite, no butter. A slice of life which is pungent, tangy and truly Australian.”
When it hit the shelves it sent shock waves through Australian society. It was a brutally honest depiction of surf culture in Australia, and worried more than a few parents with its description of underage sex, drinking and drug use. Lette describes the book as “Literary Vegemite, no butter. A slice of life which is pungent, tangy and truly Australian.”
Debbie (Ashleigh Cummings, left) and Sue (Brenna Harding, right) in ‘Puberty Blues’
Puberty Blues shone a light on the sexism that pervaded Australian teen culture in the ’70s, and really helped to instigate change in the years that followed its publication. When asked to imagine what Debbie and Sue (the main characters) would be doing today, co-author Lette said, “I imagine them showing other young women that females are not runners-up in the human race.” Here, I do a little imagining of my own and have a look at the type of home these two pioneers might live in today, and what their lives might be like.
Fictional Characters at a Glance
Who would live here: Debbie and/or Sue
From which book: Puberty Blues
Authors: Gabrielle Carey and Kathy Lette
Why this month: This iconic Australian novel is perfect to celebrate Australia Day
Home style: Beach house chic with a splash of ’70s colour
Puberty Blues shone a light on the sexism that pervaded Australian teen culture in the ’70s, and really helped to instigate change in the years that followed its publication. When asked to imagine what Debbie and Sue (the main characters) would be doing today, co-author Lette said, “I imagine them showing other young women that females are not runners-up in the human race.” Here, I do a little imagining of my own and have a look at the type of home these two pioneers might live in today, and what their lives might be like.
Fictional Characters at a Glance
Who would live here: Debbie and/or Sue
From which book: Puberty Blues
Authors: Gabrielle Carey and Kathy Lette
Why this month: This iconic Australian novel is perfect to celebrate Australia Day
Home style: Beach house chic with a splash of ’70s colour
Debbie and Sue’s home might have a retro ’70s vibe …
Referencing their infamous childhoods, Debbie and Sue might like to indulge in a little retro decorating. The ’70s were famous for their sunken living rooms and shag pile carpet – so the room pictured here might remind the girls of their courage in ultimately triumphing at the end of Puberty Blues.
At the end of the novel, the girls get off their beach towels, stop watching the boys surf, and instead have a go themselves. They thumbed their noses at a sexist social system and did it as adolescents, which made them very brave. As they might well look back at that era with pride, a retro home is ideal.
Referencing their infamous childhoods, Debbie and Sue might like to indulge in a little retro decorating. The ’70s were famous for their sunken living rooms and shag pile carpet – so the room pictured here might remind the girls of their courage in ultimately triumphing at the end of Puberty Blues.
At the end of the novel, the girls get off their beach towels, stop watching the boys surf, and instead have a go themselves. They thumbed their noses at a sexist social system and did it as adolescents, which made them very brave. As they might well look back at that era with pride, a retro home is ideal.
… and a colourful kitchen…
This kitchen is inspired by the very colourful kitchens common in the ’70s. Anyone who grew up in that time will remember orange and avocado formica with geometric tiles. With that in mind, Debbie and Sue might like to cook in this retro-style kitchen, while benefitting from all the conveniences of a contemporary fit-out.
While I’m sure they would not be cooking cakes to get the boys’ attention, as they were in Puberty Blues, they might like to whip up a homemade Chiko Roll, which was popular with surfers in the ’70s. On second thoughts, having tasted them, maybe not…
This kitchen is inspired by the very colourful kitchens common in the ’70s. Anyone who grew up in that time will remember orange and avocado formica with geometric tiles. With that in mind, Debbie and Sue might like to cook in this retro-style kitchen, while benefitting from all the conveniences of a contemporary fit-out.
While I’m sure they would not be cooking cakes to get the boys’ attention, as they were in Puberty Blues, they might like to whip up a homemade Chiko Roll, which was popular with surfers in the ’70s. On second thoughts, having tasted them, maybe not…
Or perhaps a modern makeover of mid-century style
In Puberty Blues, Debbie lived in a red-bricked, three-storey home with three bedrooms and a pool. The girls today may live in something similar, but might cover the red brick with cement render, some neutral paint or stylish cladding to bring it out of the ’70s and into the 21st century.
In Puberty Blues, Debbie lived in a red-bricked, three-storey home with three bedrooms and a pool. The girls today may live in something similar, but might cover the red brick with cement render, some neutral paint or stylish cladding to bring it out of the ’70s and into the 21st century.
Their home decor would express their passions …
Lette said of the girls: “I imagined that they went on to be top surfers and win awards.” I love that idea – not only did Debbie and Sue start surfing, but they then became incredibly good at it. They might have become so good that they could perhaps display their many boards throughout their home, giving them easy access to just grab a board and go for a surf at a moment’s notice.
Lette said of the girls: “I imagined that they went on to be top surfers and win awards.” I love that idea – not only did Debbie and Sue start surfing, but they then became incredibly good at it. They might have become so good that they could perhaps display their many boards throughout their home, giving them easy access to just grab a board and go for a surf at a moment’s notice.
… and would be geared for the beach
Any beach house would benefit from a little beach-gear nook like this one. Hooks for hats and a shelf for towels mean that everything you need is at your fingertips as you head out the door to the beach.
Any beach house would benefit from a little beach-gear nook like this one. Hooks for hats and a shelf for towels mean that everything you need is at your fingertips as you head out the door to the beach.
The girls’ house would probably have an outdoor shower …
It’s really hard to keep a beach house clean. No matter how hard you try, it’s difficult to keep sand off the floor. An outdoor shower is a perfect idea. After a day of “chucking endless cutbacks” in the surf, the girls could wash off their boards and feet without stomping sand through the house – important as they’re a bit older now and actually care about things like that.
It’s really hard to keep a beach house clean. No matter how hard you try, it’s difficult to keep sand off the floor. An outdoor shower is a perfect idea. After a day of “chucking endless cutbacks” in the surf, the girls could wash off their boards and feet without stomping sand through the house – important as they’re a bit older now and actually care about things like that.
… and it would bring the outside in
Debbie and Sue love the Australian summer and would try to incorporate an indoor/outdoor servery into their home to make eating and entertaining outside effortless and therefore more attractive.
Debbie and Sue love the Australian summer and would try to incorporate an indoor/outdoor servery into their home to make eating and entertaining outside effortless and therefore more attractive.
It would have an ocean view …
Debbie and Sue no longer have to sit around on the beach waiting for boys “who had a three-grunt vocabulary of ‘na’, ‘dunno’ and ‘ergggh’”. As grown-up feminists (and perhaps even as present-day sophisticates), they could enjoy the beach on their own terms. And what better way could there be to do this than from a beautifully appointed outdoor lounging area?
Debbie and Sue no longer have to sit around on the beach waiting for boys “who had a three-grunt vocabulary of ‘na’, ‘dunno’ and ‘ergggh’”. As grown-up feminists (and perhaps even as present-day sophisticates), they could enjoy the beach on their own terms. And what better way could there be to do this than from a beautifully appointed outdoor lounging area?
… and beachy decor
The girls’ love of the beach would dictate their choice of decoration in their home, and they might like to choose bright colours from their childhood. This laundry has a beachy vibe but is somewhat retro too, with the bright aqua cabinets, and colourful shower curtain in the bathroom beyond, being ideally suited to a beach house style.
The girls’ love of the beach would dictate their choice of decoration in their home, and they might like to choose bright colours from their childhood. This laundry has a beachy vibe but is somewhat retro too, with the bright aqua cabinets, and colourful shower curtain in the bathroom beyond, being ideally suited to a beach house style.
The use of timber panelling in neutrals and whites also gives a decidedly beachy feel to an interior. Couple this with an antique surfboard and some rowing oars and Debbie and Sue would really have created the feel of a contemporary beach shack.
The home of these young women would facilitate study …
Lette once said that she imagined the girls going on to further study and “surfing their brain waves at uni”, so their home would need to have an area dedicated to that academic pursuit.
In fact, both Lette and Carey went on to have successful careers as writers, and Carey is an academic who teaches in a Sydney university. As the novel is largely autobiographical, it makes sense that Debbie and Sue might find themselves in similar careers.
Lette once said that she imagined the girls going on to further study and “surfing their brain waves at uni”, so their home would need to have an area dedicated to that academic pursuit.
In fact, both Lette and Carey went on to have successful careers as writers, and Carey is an academic who teaches in a Sydney university. As the novel is largely autobiographical, it makes sense that Debbie and Sue might find themselves in similar careers.
… and need lots of bookshelves
As writers and/or academics, Debbie and Sue would need a lot of bookshelves to display their own written tomes and to house the many books they love to read. This living area features a full wall of shelving for books, while also continuing the beach house vibe with the timber panelling and glossy wooden floors.
As writers and/or academics, Debbie and Sue would need a lot of bookshelves to display their own written tomes and to house the many books they love to read. This living area features a full wall of shelving for books, while also continuing the beach house vibe with the timber panelling and glossy wooden floors.
It would be feminine …
Lette believes that, “females should be each other’s human wonder bras – uplifting and supportive and making each other look bigger and better”. Debbie and Sue were early feminists and might like to honour the feminine with soft touches around their home.
Lette believes that, “females should be each other’s human wonder bras – uplifting and supportive and making each other look bigger and better”. Debbie and Sue were early feminists and might like to honour the feminine with soft touches around their home.
… secure, and …
Just to be on the safe side, Debbie and Sue would also keep the home secure. No doubt they’d want to make sure that their kids were tucked up safe at night and not climbing out windows to meet boys in the night like they did as teenagers.
Just to be on the safe side, Debbie and Sue would also keep the home secure. No doubt they’d want to make sure that their kids were tucked up safe at night and not climbing out windows to meet boys in the night like they did as teenagers.
… geared for entertaining
As teens, the girls loved to be social. They had lots of friends and loved hanging out. While they may have moved on from their old friends (I think most of them died from drug overdoses), Debbie and Sue would likely have plenty more to invite over for grown-up dinner parties. They’d certainly have some interesting stories to tell!
As teens, the girls loved to be social. They had lots of friends and loved hanging out. While they may have moved on from their old friends (I think most of them died from drug overdoses), Debbie and Sue would likely have plenty more to invite over for grown-up dinner parties. They’d certainly have some interesting stories to tell!
It would be kid friendly …
As Lette said, the grown-up Debbie and Sue would “be dealing with their own teenage daughters by now,” and would need to have a child-friendly home. For their fictional characters’ sake, let’s hope their daughters are better behaved than their mothers were. This would be a gorgeous room for a couple of teenage girls. It’s light, airy and girlie enough to hopefully keep them as young as possible, for as long as possible.
As Lette said, the grown-up Debbie and Sue would “be dealing with their own teenage daughters by now,” and would need to have a child-friendly home. For their fictional characters’ sake, let’s hope their daughters are better behaved than their mothers were. This would be a gorgeous room for a couple of teenage girls. It’s light, airy and girlie enough to hopefully keep them as young as possible, for as long as possible.
… geared for teen girls …
If indeed they did have teenage girls of their own, they would no doubt love this hang-out zone that is youthfully sophisticated. Debbie and Sue would be thrilled that their children wouldn’t have to grow up in an Australian society with such prescriptive roles for teenage girls. In Puberty Blues, the girls had rules like: “You can sit in your bikini, but never walk.”
If indeed they did have teenage girls of their own, they would no doubt love this hang-out zone that is youthfully sophisticated. Debbie and Sue would be thrilled that their children wouldn’t have to grow up in an Australian society with such prescriptive roles for teenage girls. In Puberty Blues, the girls had rules like: “You can sit in your bikini, but never walk.”
… and attractive for homebodies
If all else fails, this netting could be used to give their kids a bit of adventure in the home. Debbie and Sue might hope that this replaces the type of adventure they had in the sand dunes of Cronulla beach.
If all else fails, this netting could be used to give their kids a bit of adventure in the home. Debbie and Sue might hope that this replaces the type of adventure they had in the sand dunes of Cronulla beach.
Finally, the pair might display art to remind them of their youth …
Just so they don’t totally turn into their ‘olds’, Debbie and Sue might decorate their home with a few meaningful pieces of art, ones that would remind them of their youth.
Just so they don’t totally turn into their ‘olds’, Debbie and Sue might decorate their home with a few meaningful pieces of art, ones that would remind them of their youth.
… and the beach, of course!
This print of the beach would certainly take them on a stroll down memory lane. There are certain memories they surely wouldn’t like to revisit, such as being called a ‘gutless wonder’ or a ‘slack ass moll’, but they would want to remember standing up to a culture of sexism – and ultimately prevailing.
This print of the beach would certainly take them on a stroll down memory lane. There are certain memories they surely wouldn’t like to revisit, such as being called a ‘gutless wonder’ or a ‘slack ass moll’, but they would want to remember standing up to a culture of sexism – and ultimately prevailing.
Sue and Debbie walk along the beach in ‘Puberty Blues’
TELL US
Who was your favourite character when you were a child, and what do you think their home would be like if they were here today? Share your literary memories with us in the Comments section.
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TELL US
Who was your favourite character when you were a child, and what do you think their home would be like if they were here today? Share your literary memories with us in the Comments section.
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Maybe early sixties my favourite character was 'The Phantom' - The ghost who walks.
He lived in the skull cave in the middle of the jungle so it was allvery eco friendly, self-sustainable, minimum technology and I can not ever remember seeing an inside frame of the cave.
Our house had polished timber floors in the 60s 'upgraded' to burnt orange wall to wall carpet in the 70s. It matched the orange bottle glass by the front door. Which matched the orange flock wallpaper in the living/dining room. Debbie and Sue would have felt right at home P-)