As co-founder of one of Australia’s coolest boutique designer markets, The Village Markets on Queensland’s Gold Coast, stylish mama Marissa Bowden has a great eye. Needless to say, the Children of the Tribe team were very keen to have a peek inside the original 1920s beach shack she shares with husband Rick and adorable daughters, Stevie, five, and Pepper, three, on a recent balmy summer afternoon. The family’s two-storey abode is filled with treasures from the markets, plants, photos from their recent California road trip, artwork by their little girls and some handmade favourites including the girls’ art desk made by doting papa Rick and a handcrafted recycled timber dining table – the heart of the home.
You have a great little beach shack. How would you describe your pad?
She's an oldie! It's an original 1920s beach shack. When we bought it, we painted the walls white and the floorboards have had just one coat of black lacquer so they're definitely not perfect. Aside from that, we are just enjoying it as it is for now. I love the original windows, which give us a beautiful sea breeze and plenty of natural light. It's a real home and we are so close to the beach so we don't mind a little bit of sand on the feet as we walk in and there is always art spread right across the dining table. My girls are always creating something!
You co-founded The Village Markets where Children of the Tribe started out! You must have access to some amazing homewares from a bunch of talented, emerging designers. What is your favourite purchase from TVM for your home?
Our home is filled with beautiful things from The Village Markets. There's something really grounding about a handmade item, you can feel it. I love knowing where the item has come from, having met the maker and knowing it was made or sourced with love and creativity. I'm obsessed with Harvest Clay ceramics; I'm always collecting more.
Style crush?
I adore Hannah Henderson from General Store in Venice Beach, LA. I visited the store recently and could have quite easily moved in - and bought everything! I'm also seeing a lot of San Giorgio Hotel in Mykonos pop up a lot lately and I love everything about that place.
What is your favourite piece in your home?
One of my favourite things is definitely our dining table, which was handcrafted by my brother-in-law Simon from The Building Collective. It's so great to share dinners and entertain knowing we're all sitting around a table made by him just for our little family. I also love my new chair by Salty Shadows and the desk my husband made our girls.
What's on your wish list?
We don't have a lot of space in our tiny shack but first up is a wall hanging by Heather Levine, which they have at General Store (sigh). And eventually I'd love some art for our walls. I really love the work of Jordana Henry who is based in the Northern Rivers, also if I save my pennies a Pampa rug or two and some beautiful Dos Ombré linen. I'm also looking forward to collecting more goods from The Village Markets... not a bad way to spend your working day, is it!
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