Gemma Cagnacci and Andrew Meehan

The Sydney apartment of Gemma Cagnacci and Andrew Meehan.  Kilim bought in Turkey, clock from Boxx, wooden statue bought in Indonesia, painting by Max Berry, painting by Gemma, etching by Gemma during university years, triangle piece by Me and Amber, antique Chinese box bought in Beijing.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, styling / production – Lucy Feagins.

Mantlepiece details – etching by Gemma during her university years, triangle piece by Me and Amber, antique Chinese box bought in Beijing.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, styling / production – Lucy Feagins.

‘Gallery Wall’ in the dining room, featuring old photos taken by Gemma’s grandfather, basket woven by the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Nubian masks bought in southern Egypt, wall hanging bought in Uzbekistan, print by Adam Hancher, antique textile bought in Uzbekistan. Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, production – Lucy Feagins.

This super sweet Surry Hills lovenest belongs to textile designer Gemma Cagnacci and her partner Andrew Meehan, an architect.  Loyal readers will know Gemma because she is the very clever lass behind the Line x Shape x Colour blog – which I LOVE!  I became hooked on Gemma’s site last year when she and Andrew documented their epic four month journey through the Middle East and Central Asia.  Gemma’s photos of the trip were truly incredible, and we were lucky to have her contribute a little Guest Blog for us on her return!

Since then I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting both Gemma and Andrew in person, and it’s been so lovely getting to know this creative couple, after following their travel adventures on Gemma’s blog for so long.

Having returned from their amazing journey last year, this sweet pad has been home to Gemma and Andrew for only a short time, but it hasn’t taken them long to put their personal stamp on the place.  Inevitably the home is filled with souvenirs and stunning textiles from their travels – Gemma is an expert shopper and can negotiate international shipping rates in any continent!

As you’ve probably guessed Gemma and Andrew’s home is another excellent example of how simple, inexpensive styling can be done in a rented space to maximum effect.  The lightweight, eclectic trinkets displayed ‘gallery style’ on the dining room wall, and the layers of framed artwork and collectables displayed on every surface really personalise the space without the need for permanent fixtures.

‘We were very fortunate that the apartment was very much a blank canvas before we moved in, and have been able to make it our own’ says Gemma, who says she and Andrew made a ‘non-negotiable list’ of pre-requisites when looking for their new place. (White walls, floorboards and lots of natural light!).  Gemma’s top tip for personalising a rental? ‘Those 3M command hook things are amazing – we have put them to great use!’ she says!

When asked for their favourite pieces here, Gemma lists the two rugs pictured in these shots, both of which she found in Turkey.  ‘A carpet was the one thing I insisted we must buy while on our trip – we ended coming home with four!’ she says.  ‘I like to swap them around as it instantly freshens up a room’.  Andrew sweetly says he loves all of Gemma’s artworks and creative projects displayed around the home – ‘we like changing things around a lot and not having things too static – things left in the same place too long seem to become invisible’ he says.

One thing both Gemma and Andrew agree on is how lucky they are to have found an apartment in this perfect location.  Their apartment is tucked down a quite sidestreet, right in the heart of Surry Hills, a stone’s throw from a bazillion local shops and cafes (hello Bourke st Bakery!).

Massive thanks to Gemma and Andrew for sharing their home with us today… incredibly, I also roped Gemma into working with me and taking all the photos you see here!?  Outrageous.  Thankyou Gemma!  You are a superstar!

Hallway details.  Kurdish woollen carpet bought in Turkey, frame on left is an old photo taken by Gemma’s grandfather in Afghanistan, collage of bits and pieces collected in Lebanon by Gemma, vintage super 8 projector.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, styling / production – Lucy Feagins.

Living room essentials!  One of Andrew’s boards – a classic twin fin.   Handpainted concrete planter painted by Gemma.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, styling / production – Lucy Feagins.

Living room reverse.  Oil burner by Page Thirty Three, an old travel map of Greece framed, black and white doodle by Gemma, portrait of Hmong woman bought in Vietnam, another old travel map of Spain framed. Kilim bought in Turkey.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, styling / production – Lucy Feagins.

Main bedroom – suzani bought in Uzbekistan, felt necklace bought in Krygyzstan, artwork on dresser by Andrew.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, styling / production – Lucy Feagins.

Main bedroom – handcrafted bed made by a friend, screen printed music poster by Methane Studios, blue dish by Dinosaur Designs.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, styling / production – Lucy Feagins.

The sunny spot!  Old chair from Canada – a gift to Gemma’s mum from one of her friends (‘on loan to me!’ says Gemma). Little woven vessel bought in Egypt, and Taj the cat!  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, styling / production – Lucy Feagins.

‘Gallery Wall’ in the dining room, featuring old photos taken by Gemma’s grandfather, basket woven by the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Nubian masks bought in southern Egypt, wall hanging bought in Uzbekistan, print by Adam Hancher, antique textile bought in Uzbekistan. Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, production – Lucy Feagins.

Sunny dining room!  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, production – Lucy Feagins.

Dining details – Tonfisk tea set on top shelf from Funkis, old Chinese tin bought in China, lemon cup found at a flea market.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, production – Lucy Feagins.

Dining room looking into sweet mini Euro-style kitchen!  Yellow and black ceramic dish found at a second hand shop,  hand painted poster bought in Vietnam.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci, styling / production – Lucy Feagins.

 Sweet details on the sunny dining room shelf.  Photo – Gemma Cagnacci.