When an artist purchases and renovates her childhood home, the result is a special and joyful place to live
Meet & greet
Prudence (artist) and Damian Oliveri (building and construction company founder), Theodore, eight, Luella, four, Greta the mini dachshund and Humphrey the short-haired pointer.
The property
A renovated mid-century beach house.
When abstract artist Prudence Oliveri and her husband Damian, the founder of a design and construction company, were searching for their next home and renovation project six years ago, they never expected to purchase Prudence’s former childhood home. But, in what can only be described as a twist of fate, that’s exactly what happened.
Located in a popular seaside suburb known for its surf beaches, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home was built by Prudence’s parents in the late 1980s and is where Prudence – known as Prudence Caroline in the art world – lived when she was just three years old. Three decades later, by pure chance, the property was put up for sale while the couple was house hunting and it became home once again for Prudence and her young family. As the residence hadn’t been touched since it was built, the husband and wife duo undertook major renovations before moving in: transforming the dining and kitchen into one large kitchen; repainting the interior; replacing carpet with floorboards; fitting new wardrobes, ensuite and heating; and outside, building retaining walls and flattening the once-sloping land.
The house, which Prudence describes as “mid-century modern inspired”, is framed with floor-to-ceiling windows and the interior is as refined and contemporary as it is joyful – a description that also works for Prudence’s paintings. The home is brought to life with a collection of art, a mix of her own works and pieces she and Damian have collected throughout their relationship. While the interior is impressive, it’s outside in the lush garden where the Oliveris enjoy spending time as a family.
“The kids love exploring the garden, feeding the fish in the pond and picking herbs from the vegetable patch,” says Prudence. “We have a lot of picnic lunches on the grass. Lulu loves the swing and Teddy plays with cars on the steps while Damian and I tend to the garden.”
It’s a place to fill with more happy family memories for the Oliveris, and probably just how things were 30 years ago when Prudence first lived here.
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