Home Tour: Paula Mills

Hi. It’s Mandy here. I’m busy working on an upcoming post on Sweet William, the stationery, paper, print and homeware label started by sisters Paula Mills and Shelley Gardner and while online came across a feature on Paula’s house. What I didn’t know (is it just me?) is that, while they currently reside in Melbourne and New Zealand respectively, these talented sisters were born and raised in Cape Town and Joburg. Pretty cool considering their brand is fast becoming a global phenomena. That Paula’s roots are local goes some way to explain the South African references spotted in her home. It’s such a lovely, unfussy, eclectic, nomadic, vintage, retro and layered riot of colour and objects that I thought you’d want to see it sooner than later. So, while a bigger post is in the works, here’s a little taste of what inspires Paula in her personal space.

The home is a weatherboard cottage in the Warrandyte suburb of Melbourne and is where Paula (above) resides with her husband and three daughters. It’s a really creative space where every last inch offers up visual inspiration.

Paula’s studio space is just a dream, and reveals her magpie tendencies. She has a particular thing for religious icons, Madonnas and silver teapots.

Notice the barber shop hand-painted sign in her studio. I just love the happy-go-lucky mix of furniture, kilims, prints and knick-knacks. The whitewashed floorboards and walls also allow everything to pop.

The downstairs bedroom is a girlie haven for Paula’s daughters. Her and her husband’s bedroom is also a romantic space with vintage mirrors, lace, and pretty tops and dresses left on display.

The pink dining suite was found in South Africa. Retrotastic!

While much of the backdrop to the house is off-white, the living room is painted a custom-mix turquoise – Paula’s signature colour.

Isn’t it lovely.

All pics by Chris Groenhout. You can find Sweet William goodies at Marigold and Superbalist.