My Space: Lucy Peach’s Fremantle home is a quirky space that doubles as a creative hub for her art

Clare Ryan STM
CommentsComments
Camera IconLucy Peach at home in Fremantle. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian

It’s the sounds of Fremantle that Lucy Peach loves the most about her home.

“Sometimes you hear the ocean, or the birds in the trees, or the freight train . . . or if the wind is blowing in the right direction, you can hear music from festivals,” explains Peach.

Soon after buying the house, Peach discovered that she had actually lived next door as a baby.

“I was showing my mum photos of the house and she told me that when I was born we had lived in the house next door. That’s probably why the sounds of the area are so familiar to me,” she says.

Camera IconPeach lives with her husband, Richard Berney, an executive creative director at 303 MullenLowe. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian
Read more...

The two-storey home is nestled among the trees on a quiet street, making it the perfect retreat for Peach and her husband, Richard Berney, an executive creative director at 303 MullenLowe.

The space doubles as a home and creative hub for the couple, who are constantly evolving her show, My Greatest Period Ever, where Peach sings and tells stories, while Berney does live animation onstage.

“We’re currently working on my Fringe show in January. Our bedroom is where we come up with ideas together, often whispered in the middle of the night,” she says.

The loft-style bedroom sits over the kitchen and features original stained-glass windows.

“The house feels like a cross between a ship, a church and a tree house because we’re surrounded by beautiful trees. My dad calls it a “bitser” because we can’t tell where parts of the house were added on over the years,” she says.

It’s the quirks of the house that add character and charm to the space.

Camera IconPeach describes the house as feeling like a cross between a ship, a church and a tree house. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian

“In a way it makes me feel like I’m living in nature, like it’s not perfect. It’s organic and beautiful,” she explains.

Slanting doorframes and sloping floorboards are added design features in her eyes.

“I often come home and think about how lucky I am to live in such a gorgeous and special place. Everything in the house is a bit wonky, which I love. I sometimes feel like I’m Alice in Wonderland,” she laughs.

Over the last seven years, the couple have collected sentimental pieces, including a wooden side table crafted by her father, who shipped it over from New Zealand.

Camera IconPeach has filled the home with items that help express her creativity. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian

“When we moved in together we amalgamated our things, and lots of the pieces are an ode to our grandparents,” she explains. “I don’t like buying too many new things, I like to get one thing at a time and get the wear out of it.”

From artwork to a piano, the home is filled with items that help her express who she is as an author, singer and creative.

“One of my favourite things in the house is the painting of a woman on a moon. It speaks to my love of cycles and how we follow lunar rhythm,” she says. “The house is inspiring, restful and soothing … it’s a pretty nice place to work from.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails