For Cher van Schouwen, her home in an old hotel is a studio, a gallery and a classroom, as well as a place to live life to the full with her family and friends.
The western suburbs are known for their historic charm, but no home is quite like that of local artist Cher van Schouwen, who lives with her family in part of what used to be a well-known watering hole.
“I love the sense of community that living in a section of the old Mosman Park Hotel provides,” Cher says. “The ‘bones’ of the old hotel have been beautifully retained, and the finishings when we moved in were brand new and tastefully chosen.” With her artistic nature, it is no wonder that Cher has an eclectic mix of recycled objects, hard-to-find pieces and inherited items that, she explains, create a fresh take on traditional design.
“Through family and travel we have collected pieces from different eras, reflecting their owners’ lives and passions,” she says. “I want our home to refresh their story with warmth, personality and sophistication.”
The home, which is also used as Cher’s studio, has been painted in neutral and soft colours to allow her artworks and statement furniture pieces to stand out. “I put up new paintings at different stages of completion to live with while working on them and evolving them into special moments for another person’ home.” Cher says. “We enjoy a mix of antique furnishings, collectables and sentimental treasures form all over the world.”
“I love pre-loved vintage upholstery, applique, natural fibres and exciting, but no overwhelming, colour that energises our home in a beautiful ways.” “Our fleur-de-lis dining table and chairs that we inherited from my mother-in-law takes centrestage. It reminds me of long, happy family luncheons once enjoyed on their farm and it speaks of travel, European heritage and cultural identity.”
One of Cher’s favourite features in the home is the spiral staircase, which leads out from the garden to a 20 x 10m black and white tiled balcony, lined by the tops of her neighbour’s poplar trees. “I now use that balcony areas as my studio and for my painting classes and private exhibitions, so I get to enjoy it every day, and my students just love it too,“ she says
Cher explains that her home, shared with husband Adrian and two children, Taigh and Emma Rose, I definitely about family and love.
“It’s a creative space to live life, plus a gallery for my works, a studio and classroom for my art practice, and a space where we can bring people around us to celebrate friendships and enjoy a wonderful life,” she says.
“I am really not about current trends. Style to me is a personal thing and something that evolves through life experiences.”
“I draw from those different experiences and various styles and eras through time to make a home that is personal, comfortable, joyous and really reflects me and my family and our loves and passions.”
Alyesha Anderson
myStyle, Sunday Times, September 30 – October 6, 2012