Eryca Green doesn’t love the words ‘quirky’ and ‘eclectic’, but it’s very tricky to describe the home she shares with her partner, Eddy Opmanis, without using these descriptors! The couple are the owners of Opmanis & Green, and Melbourne vintage destination Smith Street Bazaar, so their home is naturally filled with fantastic art and furniture pieces, all of which tell a story. ‘We both admire minimalism, but neither of us is capable of such a thing,’ Eryca says. ‘I spend a great deal of time sitting in a lovely chair, looking at art that we have collected from some very dear and incredibly talented friends… Whether it’s from a high-end gallery or a flea market, it is here because it is loved.’
It’s not only the furnishings here that are embedded with history, but the property itself. Originally owned by his grandmother, this house became Eddy’s childhood home, before he took ownership six years ago and Eryca moved in.
There have been two renovations to this property in the last 10 years alone (‘It would appear that Brunswick is sinking faster than Venice!’ says Eryca), but neither is the final result, so for now the house remains a work in progress. While the pair hopes to eventually complete another re-stump then a conclusive renovation, every builder they’ve consulted with unfortunately recommends demolishing the house and starting over. ‘This means that we never quite feel settled, but it does free us up in many ways too. I hammer in nails willy-nilly whenever I feel like changing where the pictures hang, or I paint a wall an outlandish colour,’ says Eryca. ‘It’s all a bit of an experiment really – practice for when we are grown up enough to do it properly!’
Bold colour is one of the defining characteristics of this home, as seen in the perfectly pink living room walls, teal velvet curtains and mustard-hued dining space. ‘Many people are afraid of colour (Eddy included). Me, not a bit!’ says Eryca. ‘Seriously, what’s the worst that can happen? It is such a great way to reinvent a space with very little expense.’
One of the elements the couple most appreciate about this property is the combination of privacy and community it offers. ‘It is remarkably peaceful here, especially now that the garden is becoming more established,’ says Eryca. ‘It feels so private, and yet Eddy has known the neighbours for 50 years, so there’s always a smile and a wave and a cheerful hello’.
This home is a constantly changing space that perfectly reflects its passionately creative owners. ‘We have some great pieces, but we are not precious. A home is for living in, not looking at,’ Eryca says. ‘I would describe our style as decorative, ever-evolving, creative, and I hope, welcoming and warm.’
There is certainly no lack of personality and history in this charming and yes… we’re saying it… eclectic home!
Check out Eryca and Eddy’s fabulous vintage market in Fitzroy at Smith Street Bazaar here!
Large photograph by Eryca Green. Owl photograph by Gary Heery. Lithograph by Victor Pasmore. Seed paintings 1 and 2 by Louise Olsen. ‘I feel most sentimental about the artworks in the house,’ says Eryca. ‘I love to have the work of people I know. Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy are amongst our dearest friends, and having their work in my home is incredibly special to me. These paintings by Louise were from her first show, and are so precious.’ Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Eddy Opmanis and Eryca Green. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Bronze pod sculpture by Ulan and Rachel. ‘Ulan and Rachel are my dear friends. They do much bigger sculptures which I would love to own one day, but for now I just love this seed pod,’ says Eryca. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
This is one STATEMENT living room! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Bronze pod sculpture by Ulan and Rachel. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Every angle of the house reveals fresh contours of a different piece of art! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Photographs by Eryca Green. Small paintings on timber by Emma De Clario. Stone sculpture Stephen Ormandy. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Resin table and art vase by Dinosaur Designs. Small photograph by Bill Henson. Geometric painting by Louise Tuckwell. Lower right artwork by Noah Dean. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
This house is full of deep, bright jewel tones! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Resin vessel on table from Dinosaur Designs newest collection. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
The yellow feature wall brings rich, retro sunshine into the dining room. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Large painting and resin sculpture both by Stephen Ormandy. Resin table from Dinosaur Designs. Cushion and throw by HOPONIT designs. Sity sofa by Antonio Citterio from Modern Times. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Photographs by me (Eryca Green!). Small painting by emerging artist Camille Ormandy, that she did because she was inspired by the photo I took of my brother. I absolutely love having the photo and painting together! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Stereo by Brionvega from Smith Street Bazaar. Clay sculptures by Clay Canoe. Small painting by Peter Edgeley (who is the father of Eryca’s model and muse, Alice Edgeley – these connections mean so much!). Small bowls Dinosaur Designs. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Large painting and resin sculpture both by Stephen Ormandy. Resin table from Dinosaur Designs. Cushion and throw by HOPONIT designs. Sity sofa by Antonio Citterio from Modern Times. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Table from Smith Street Bazaar. Small resin sculpture Dinosaur Designs. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
A heavenly corner filled with treasures. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Eryca found the signed Japanese prints of the four seasons above her bed many years ago in an op-shop! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Chair by Ettore Sottsass from Castorina & Co. Eryca bought the sideboard in Northern Italy, which was meant to go into their shop! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
The salon wall in the second bedroom is iconic! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
Ceramic glove moulds from Mr Tarlo. Resin hand Dinosaur Designs. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
The exterior of this exquisite California bungalow. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli
