As someone who works from home with two young children, cook and author Julia Busuttil Nishimura knew exactly what she wanted in a home. Her family’s previous rental property was gorgeous but not quite fit for purpose, so Julia and her husband, tennis coach Norihiko Nishimura, went in search of slightly more room to move. 

‘I was craving more space where I felt like my work wouldn’t take over the whole house,’ Julia explains. ‘[Our previous] two-bedroom house was so charming, but it also had quite separate living areas, which made it tricky to do things like cook dinner and watch the kids. We always felt quite far away from them.’ 

The family’s new home in Fitzroy North addresses these problems and more, featuring a large living domain and modern kitchen, with plenty of nearby parks for Haruki (6) and Yukito (2) to explore. 

‘Now we have beautiful open-plan living, plus our own little retreat upstairs where I can write from, as well two outdoor spaces,’ says Julia. ‘The kitchen is really big and has great work benches which is so important… Being able to cook in the kitchen and see the boys playing in the backyard or hanging out in the lounge room is one of our favourite parts.’ 

The home is minimal and modern – ideally suited to Julia and Norihiko’s preference for neutral tones contrasted with pops of colour through art and soft furnishings. The couple’s existing dining table from Grandfather’s Axe, mismatched Danish chairs, and linen sofa all fit seamlessly into the space, as though they’ve always been there. 

Enhancing the home’s character is Julia’s ceramic collection that’s always being added to for styling new recipes. These pieces are all special, but not precious, with practicality always at front of mind. ‘One of the biggest considerations when sourcing things for our home is longevity and suitability with the kids,’ Julia says. ‘We always purchase things that can take a lot of wear and tear and will age nicely’. 

Overall, what Julia and Norihiko love most about this home is its relaxed feel, which has improved both their work and family lives. As Julia notes, ‘A calming space is really important, and I feel it’s such a relaxing space to be in. Because I work from home, it’s important that it feels really good to be in.’ 

Shop Sheridan’s latest collection, Harmony of Contrasts, at Sheridan Boutiques, sheridan.com.au, David Jones and Myer.