Houzz Tours
Meet My Houzz: The Savage Guide to Eclectisism
Self-proclaimed crafter, thrifter, daydreamer, and professional floral designer, Justine Savage, shows off her quirky style
Justine Savage spends her work days helping to create amazing arrangements for one of Melbourne’s top event and wedding floral stylists, Poppy Culture. Creativity is something that comes as second-nature to Savage, as is evident in the way she has decorated her personality-packed two-bedroom apartment in Mornington, Victoria.
She has lived in this apartment for almost four years and has used her fun collections of knickknacks to decorate it to suit her unique taste. When Savage isn’t at home creating, or relaxing in her cosy living room, she can be found exploring everything the Peninsula has to offer including the beaches, cafes and vintage shops.
SHARE YOUR HOME WITH US
We’d love to meet your home. From photos of your perfectly-styled shelfies, to your latest room makeovers, take a snap of your house and post it on Instagram hashtagging #meetmyhouzz and you and your home could be featured in an upcoming story.
She has lived in this apartment for almost four years and has used her fun collections of knickknacks to decorate it to suit her unique taste. When Savage isn’t at home creating, or relaxing in her cosy living room, she can be found exploring everything the Peninsula has to offer including the beaches, cafes and vintage shops.
SHARE YOUR HOME WITH US
We’d love to meet your home. From photos of your perfectly-styled shelfies, to your latest room makeovers, take a snap of your house and post it on Instagram hashtagging #meetmyhouzz and you and your home could be featured in an upcoming story.
How did you come across your home?
I rent it from my friend. I was previously living in stock-standard apartment. It was completely uninspiring – beige carpet, beige walls, beige blinds! It was making me miserable. One day my friend called me and said her apartment was available and she knew I was going to love it. I agreed before even stepping inside.
When I did finally step inside four years ago, I fell in love with the old floorboards and that it was basically a blank canvas. It’s the perfect size for me and for a small place it has a great layout. It’s old and a little disheveled and certainly isn’t perfect, but I love it anyway – it’s home. It’s also in the best location – a five minute drive from Fisherman’s Beach, Main Street, Mornington, and work.
I rent it from my friend. I was previously living in stock-standard apartment. It was completely uninspiring – beige carpet, beige walls, beige blinds! It was making me miserable. One day my friend called me and said her apartment was available and she knew I was going to love it. I agreed before even stepping inside.
When I did finally step inside four years ago, I fell in love with the old floorboards and that it was basically a blank canvas. It’s the perfect size for me and for a small place it has a great layout. It’s old and a little disheveled and certainly isn’t perfect, but I love it anyway – it’s home. It’s also in the best location – a five minute drive from Fisherman’s Beach, Main Street, Mornington, and work.
What’s your favourite room in the house?
My living room – it’s the heart of my little abode. I love me-time, so hanging out on the couch with a cup of tea and a mag or a house-related book on my days off is definitely one of my favourite pastimes.
My living room – it’s the heart of my little abode. I love me-time, so hanging out on the couch with a cup of tea and a mag or a house-related book on my days off is definitely one of my favourite pastimes.
What is your favourite item in the house?
Just one? My mint green vintage buffet. It’s one of the first things I notice when I walk into the room. It’s old, but has been given a new lease on life; it’s flawed, but that’s part of its charm. The colour is absolutely amazing. I love the detail on top, and the fancy Queen Anne legs. It makes me happy and makes me feel just a little bit posh.
I also adore my gallery walls, everything hanging on them is from local artists and shops or handmade – I’m a big fan of supporting my local creatives. We are very lucky on the Mornington Peninsula – it’s full of talent!
Just one? My mint green vintage buffet. It’s one of the first things I notice when I walk into the room. It’s old, but has been given a new lease on life; it’s flawed, but that’s part of its charm. The colour is absolutely amazing. I love the detail on top, and the fancy Queen Anne legs. It makes me happy and makes me feel just a little bit posh.
I also adore my gallery walls, everything hanging on them is from local artists and shops or handmade – I’m a big fan of supporting my local creatives. We are very lucky on the Mornington Peninsula – it’s full of talent!
How would you describe your decorating style?
I think it’s all over the place. If I had to label it, I would say ‘boho kitsch’. I love collected and bright, happy things. I adore secondhand furniture and quirky soft furnishings. I’m all about the clashes and I’m definitely a ‘maximalist’!
I think it’s all over the place. If I had to label it, I would say ‘boho kitsch’. I love collected and bright, happy things. I adore secondhand furniture and quirky soft furnishings. I’m all about the clashes and I’m definitely a ‘maximalist’!
What’s your hot design tip?
Avoid trends. Trust your instincts and decorate with items you love.
Avoid trends. Trust your instincts and decorate with items you love.
What have you learned from decorating your home?
Patience, restraint and trust. I’m a collector and it’s taken me years to find the right pieces. Do your research. The local op-shops here aren’t great, but I’ve found some ladies on Instagram who source the best stuff to sell it on, and I’ve bought some amazing pieces from them.
Road-side finds, and bargains from secondhand shops are also great. Be selective and only take what you know you’re going to fix up and use, otherwise collecting can scarily turn into hoarding.
Scroll through the rest of this home’s gallery, and share your own home by using #meetmyhouzz and your abode might be featured in our next story!
Patience, restraint and trust. I’m a collector and it’s taken me years to find the right pieces. Do your research. The local op-shops here aren’t great, but I’ve found some ladies on Instagram who source the best stuff to sell it on, and I’ve bought some amazing pieces from them.
Road-side finds, and bargains from secondhand shops are also great. Be selective and only take what you know you’re going to fix up and use, otherwise collecting can scarily turn into hoarding.
Scroll through the rest of this home’s gallery, and share your own home by using #meetmyhouzz and your abode might be featured in our next story!
In a quiet corner of the main bedroom, Savage gives a nod to the apartment’s close proximity to some of Victoria’s best beaches, with her beautiful Nusa Indah surfboard, from local store Love Iluka.
She displays some of her cute collectibles on a chest of drawers, including this little porcelain piggy bank and a few of her favourite books.
The guest bedroom also doubles as Savage’s craft room. Its bright white walls are a perfect blank canvas for the splashes of colour Savage has added, such as this vintage quilt from Cottage Industry Store.
A crafting desk in the guest bedroom is ready to go for when inspiration strikes. Savage enjoys sewing and cross-stitch.
Another sweet display of Savage’s collectibles include this assortment of Kewpie dolls that she and her work colleague found in a local store, Page 8.
This giant Miffy lamp, adorned with a handmade pompom, serves as a source of light at the bedside.
Many fun messages can be seen around Savage’s home, on everything from artwork to ceramics. This pot in Savage’s guest bedroom encourages adventure.
Space in the tiny bathroom is maximised with some simple shelving that Savage’s father assembled. Here, she can store her towels and a couple of pot plants.
Back in the living room, icons Frida Kahlo, Carmen Miranda and Dame Edna Everage feature prominently in the artwork that adorns Savage’s walls. Individual and creative women inspire her.
In the kitchen, a mix of old and new combines practicality with Savage’s quirky style.
The enamel floral saucepan and oil bottle are both from one of Savage’s Instagram favourites, Sorry Grandma Shop.
Savage makes the most of the space above the cupboards as an extra storage spot. She keeps retro-style canisters filled with cooking essentials up here.
Two seats pulled up to the kitchen benchtop provide her with another space to have a quick bite to eat, or for guests to take a seat at while she cooks a feast.
Perched on the couch with a cross-stitch in hand – this is Savage’s idea of contentment.
Being in the floral business, it’s important to Savage to keep fresh flowers and plants around her home. This assortment at her front door greets visitors and gives a small hint of the fun that lies beyond the front door.
Meet My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and New Zealand, and interview the people who inhabit them. If you would like to submit your own home for a tour, simply take a photograph and post it on instagram hashtagging #meetmyhouzz.
MORE
Meet My Houzz: The Hughes
Meet My Houzz: The Coys
Meet My Houzz: The Phangs
Meet My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and New Zealand, and interview the people who inhabit them. If you would like to submit your own home for a tour, simply take a photograph and post it on instagram hashtagging #meetmyhouzz.
MORE
Meet My Houzz: The Hughes
Meet My Houzz: The Coys
Meet My Houzz: The Phangs
Savage rents her apartment and so put her transforming efforts into decorating as opposed to renovating. She has made it her own by dressing the space up with her distinct, eclectic style, and proudly displays unique bits and pieces she has accumulated over the years throughout her home. Every item has a story to tell, and that’s what Savage loves about her decor.
We spoke to Savage to find out more about her home.