Welcome to Lifely’s At Home With series, where we explore the homes of inspiring creatives, interior designers and everyday Australians to see how they’ve brought their homes to life.
As a graphic designer and illustrator, it should come as no surprise that Ashley Simonetto has a keen eye for home design, particularly considering home is where she spends most of her days. “Weeks are spent at my home office, creating, thinking and conceptualising,” she reports.
She bought the apartment she shares with her partner in Brunswick two years ago. “Brunswick has a multitude of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops, that all have community at their heart. There is something here for everyone,” she describes. Since then, she has spent significant time and energy turning it into a home. “Removing old carpet and laying floating floorboards was the biggest renovation, and it made an instant difference! The change opened up the space and made it feel less stuffy,” she says.
Describing her style as “Scandi-inspired, with a pop of colour,” Ashley does not hesitate to take her time to create a perfectly curated home. “I try to fill my home with objects throughout travels and experiences. Each piece is a treasure, and I love when visitors are curious about my objects. I often have a very clear vision of what a blank space needs, which can send me into a spiral of hunting for the perfect piece. I overcome this by thinking strategically and about the longevity of an item,” she says. With its retro silhouette, our Button bedside table is right at home in this breezy environment.
Sometimes, the best way to change the feel of a room is more intangible than furniture. For Ashley, less is more when it comes to style, “yet let your own personality shine through.” With its minimal amount of furniture and plenty of space, her bedroom is her favourite room in the house, filling her with a sense of calm and relaxation. “I’m a big advocate for mood lighting, and never use downlights,” she explains. “My favourite would have to be the George Nelson saucer light in our room.”
You can find more about Ashley’s colourful art and unique decorating style on Instagram @ashleysimonetto.art.
