Jason Odd and Kristina Sostarkoare visual artists who founded the illustration, design, and fine art studio,Inaluxe. Before they purchased this 1950s four-level house in Australia’s Grampians Region six years ago, they were living in a colorful 780-square-foot house thatApartment Therapy toured.

“Our previous home was a small one-bedroom, and we were in the middle of working through extension options, when we realized that it was going to be a lot harder than it looked on paper, as we also work from home. We decided to have a look at some properties for sale, and it was a case of the right place, and right time,” begins Kristina. She says that this house, which covers four levels and has four bedrooms, a large kitchen and breakfast nook, two bathrooms, a big entryway, and even an in-ground concrete swimming pool, was not only big enough for them to live in, but also for them to have space for a dedicated studio and office for the business.

“Jason grew up in the area, and he loved the home as a child. Living in various parts of Australia since then, and some decades later, we ended up finding ourselves back here on his home turf. When we saw the house was for sale, we had to see it! The rest as they say… is history. Just quietly, I think it was always Jason’s dream to live in this house. Mission accomplished.”

My Style:We’ve been collecting all sorts of things for several decades now, so it’s a bit of a mix of styles here. Most of our furniture is mid-century modern onwards. We’d probably describe our style as quirky, kitschy, art-fixated, and always aspiring to improve and make it better. We only keep the things we love. Books, ceramics, music, and art feature a lot in what makes us happy.

Inspiration:Mid-century modern architecture, as well as Japanese garden design. The open spaces, and celebration of materials in their raw form is something we are both drawn as well. Natural materials, light, textures, and color.

Favorite Element:One of the nicest things are all the separate outdoor spaces. The terrace above our studio is really beautiful at night. You can look out to the mountains, and see all the lights in town. The original half of the kitchen cupboards is one of our favorite things. We’ve never seen one like it. The details that went into this home, like the kitchen are very special. The wood paneled ceiling in the lounge, and the texture of the solid plastered walls is quite lovely, too.

Biggest Challenge:我认为我的背受伤当我们第一次搬进来,nd being unable to get up the stairs was probably the hardest part, but we were very fortunate in that there is a bedroom and bathroom downstairs, so we mixed things up a bit, and eventually my back got better (although it took a good year to recover) and the stairs aren’t an issue now. It’s nice to go upstairs and sit out on the terrace and listen to all the cockatoos, parrots, and lorikeets in the trees.

Proudest DIY:We haven’t taken on any renovations since moving in, although we did paint the studio white, which made it a lot easier with art work, and the natural light available. In future we plan to renovate the bathrooms and kitchen. The glass in the old windows is very thin, so some double or triple glazed windows are on the list, too.

Please describe any helpful, inspiring, brilliant, or just plain useful small space maximizing and/or organizing tips you have:Don’t buy a big house with no storage options! Ha! It’s true, this house is all windows, and not too many places to put things. It might have also been very much a case of we just had too much stuff. Since we moved here, we go through wardrobes and cupboards a few times a year, and do a good spring clean. It certainly helps clear the brain, and calm the emotions.

Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice?Buy the things you love, and celebrate your own vision and style. Practicality is so important (as we discovered with the stairs) and we always look at the comfort factor. Beauty is important too. Artwork is a big one for us. It makes us feel great having lots of art in the home. Lastly, growing plants has been one of the greatest joys. Seeing little wrens, wagtails, lizards, bees, beetles, etc. in the garden is really decorating to the max!

• Kitchen — Dulux “China White” walls
• Dining Room — Dulux “Monument” + original wallpaper from the 1950’s
• Lounge Room — Dulux “Hogbristle” walls
• Studio — Dulux “Antique White USA” walls
• Bedrooms — Dulux “Hog Bristle” walls
• Not sure about the entrance, and bathrooms. The entrance red and off white is original to the first owners.

• Ottoman — Freedom Furniture
• Marble-Topped Pedestal Coffee Table —West Elm
• Round Lounge Chair — West Elm
• Round vintage teak coffee table — Savers Footscray
• Vintage Sideboard — Salvation Army
• Round Eye Cushion — ARRO Home
• Tretchikoff cushions —Tangerine & Teal
• Artwork — Power Stripe oil painting 2015 byKen Horne; Opposing Ranges oil painting 2016 byKen Horne; Blossom Painting 2017 byInaluxe; Anodised Planter byModnlovr
• Vintage Ceramic Swan Made in Japan — Family heirloom

• NokebySofa — IKEA
• La Corona Coffee Table —Tide Design
• Tana Shelf Unit —Tide Design
• Waka Bench Seat —Tide Design
• Vintage Sideboard — Clarks Furniture
• Stockholm TV Bench —IKEA
• Vintage 1970’s ceramic and teak lamp —A Cupboard Full Vintage
• Handmade lampshade —I Love Lucy Lamps
• Souk Round Rug —West Elm
• Artwork — Same Not SameKristina Sostarko2022; Iceberg PaintingJeremy Miranda2011; One Of The Great Head’s On Display In The MuseumJames Kirwan2015; OperatorJason Odd2022; Eye Woven Wall Hanging byKym Lightfoot; Palace & Hostile Fingers byColourbox Studio; Cat Painting by Tina Violets; Ceramic tea Light Holders byRoyal Doulton; Various West German vintage ceramic pieces ; Alexander Girard Doll byVitra

• Dining Table — ING Norway
• Dining Chairs & Rug — West Elm
• Billy Bookshelves —IKEA
• Tiger and Cat Framed Prints —Tigersheep Friends
• Foxes Print and large abstract Painting —Kristina
• Ceramic Vases —Chrystie Longworth
• Various vintage tin toys and ceramics

• Bar stools — Gift
• Dining Table — West Elm
• Chairs — ING Norway
• Paintings —Inaluxe
• Ceramic planter —Paster-Corté
• Ceramic Jars —Orla Kiely
• Archie Pot —Capra Designs

• Eva Timber Bed Frame —Eva
• Velvet Headboard — Family Gift
• Sideboard — Clarks Furniture
• Bed Side Tables —West Elm
• Dog Pillow —Gentle Thrills
• Framed Bird Prints —Inaluxe
• LargePainting —Kristina Sostarko
• Brass Crystal Lamps — Vintage Op Shop
• On the sideboard: Collection of vintage ceramics and frames, including ceramic piece by工作室斯特拉

• Koala bed base—Koala
• Stool — IKEA
• ItalianVintage Lamp + Shade—Op Shop
• Linen Bedding —Sheridan
• Bed Throw —Abode Living
• Love In Bright Landscapes painting —Kristina

• Ivar Storage Cupboards —IKEA
• Vintage Blue Lamp
• Various artworks —Inaluxe

• 擦手巾,Mimco
• 粉红葡萄柚、柠檬桃金娘和桉树Handwash —Ena Products
• Bathmat — Gift
• The bathroom is (as we understand) the original from the 1950s. Unfortunately we don’t have any information on the bath, or tiles, and smaller details. It’s a really lovely room though.

The studio is a working and ever changing space. We have a small collection of vintage toys, ceramics, and wooden models to keep us company, but it’s mostly a place for making mess, and cleaning mess, and then doing that all over again.

• Pink art drawers — Secondhand
• Vintage Table Lamp — Ararat Op Shop
• NYMÅNE Floor Lamp —IKEA
• Mid Century extension Dining Table & chairs — Family Gift
• Vintage Industrial stool — Pickers Market Stawell
• Ikea Helmer Drawer Units —IKEA
• Artwork:
• Pomeranian painting —pulpbrother
• Exhibitionist painting —pulpbrother
• Artwork 2017—Robert Hardgrave
• Fortune Favors The Brave —Lilco Studio
• Crappy Art —Anna Hoyle
• Various paintings —made by us Inaluxe

Thanks Kristina and Jason!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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