{"id":250092,"date":"2025-10-30T03:40:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T03:40:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/250092\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T03:40:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T03:40:31","slug":"inside-artist-madi-youngs-joyful-home-in-orange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/250092\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Artist Madi Young’s Joyful Home In Orange"},"content":{"rendered":"

When abstract artist Madi Young, owner of The Corner Store Gallery in Orange<\/a>, in the Central Tablelands of NSW, decided to embark on a refresh of her delightfully arty house, she knew exactly how to begin \u2013 with a paintbrush, of course.<\/p>\n

For Madi, 39, who shares the characterful abode in the regional town with her seven-year-old son, Magnus, and black labrador-kelpie, Dotti, unrestrained colour will always play a lead role in her home. There was no trepidation, then, when it came to selecting the rosiest of backdrops \u2013 Dulux\u2019s \u201cperfectly pink\u201d Gizmo \u2013 for the gallery wall in the kitchen and living domain. \u201cIt\u2019s my personal opinion that pink goes with everything \u2013 and you heard it here first!\u201d says Madi, laughing.<\/p>\n

\"ArtistMadi relaxes on her Freedom sofa with Dotti, her loyal labrador-kelpie. A handcrafted Moroccan rug, sourced from Orange store Jumbled, blends in with vintage and contemporary decor. The gallery wall includes pieces by: Suzie Riley; Amy Wright; Wendy McDonald; Lara Karasavvidis; Nicole Chaffey; Holly Eva; Amie de Hoog; Jodi Thompson; Fiona Barrett-Clark; Magnus Young-Holborow; Madeline Young; Genevieve Bessell-Browne; Andrea Kirkham-Hopgood; Joanna Cole; and Stacey Rees. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

But with pink options galore, how did the artist settle on this particular shade? \u201cI took my three favourite paintings down to the paint shop and made sure I got a pink that worked with all of them, and then came back and re-zhooshed everything,\u201d she explains. \u201cIf there\u2019s one thing I\u2019m good at, it\u2019s colour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A\u201cI have pretty eclectic taste, and I like to display artworks off-centre. It\u2019s more interesting that way,\u201d Madi says of her asymmetrical arrangements. Featured artists (below) include James Kearns and Daniela Cristallo (see previous image credits). (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

Constantly evolving, Madi\u2019s gallery wall<\/a> is a joyfully diverse collection, with pieces by many of her favourite contemporaries \u2013 Andrea Hopgood, Fiona Barrett-Clark and Wendy McDonald, just to name a few. Of course, there are also pieces by Madi herself, as well as by her talented young prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Magnus. \u201cMagnus has already had a sold-out exhibition with me,\u201d says Madi with pride. \u201cSport and art are his two things.\u201d Madi\u2019s advice is to \u201cmix it up\u201d with a gallery wall display.<\/p>\n

\"AThe timber panelling in the entry and office space was made by Madi\u2019s dad from Tasmanian oak. Featured artworks by Louise Knowles, Emily Heath and Amy Wright. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go for the same type of frames \u2013 no way! They should be all over the joint,\u201d she says, adding: \u201cAnd I like different depths in terms of the art being on different materials. Also have some pieces behind glass; some not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tucked directly behind The Corner Store Gallery and Madi\u2019s studio, her black barn-style home \u2013 located on traditional Wiradjuri land \u2013 was built in 2017, with architect Casey Bryant at the helm, and Mitch Hyland and Madi\u2019s father, Rob Young, in charge of the works. <\/p>\n

\"AThe kitchen holds paintings by Jennifer Rosnell and Yani Lenehan. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

\"AAn artwork by Ben Foster sits alongside a Lego tiger and potted plant. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main priority was to make it a liveable family home and to show off my art collection \u2013 I wanted a home\/gallery,\u201d says Madi. \u201cIt needed to be affordable to build, and reasonably simple since my dad did an owner\/builder job. We\u2019re in a heritage area, so that was a big contributor to decision-making \u2013 the roofline and verandah were integral to appeasing the heritage guys. And we actually won a heritage award for the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AnPaintings by Kym Barrett and Pippita Bennett adorn the far wall, while Madi\u2019s abstract piece rests on the easel. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

Not only were the heritage authorities happy, so is the client. \u201cThe house is better than I\u2019d hoped \u2013 I love it,\u201d says Madi. \u201cIt\u2019s bright and cosy, and warm and functional.\u201d Although it looks like a one-level house from the outside, \u201cthere are two full bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, and a lovely courtyard outside,\u201d adds Madi. \u201cIt\u2019s surprisingly spacious since it\u2019s on such a small footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n

That secret second storey has the bedrooms tucked away in it. \u201cMy son and I live in the ceiling space \u2013 there\u2019s a really sweet, cosy and sloping ceiling with skylights, which is so nice on a rainy night \u2013 but not so much when it\u2019s hailing!\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"ArtistMadi works on a mixed-media abstract piece in her studio, which is attached to her gallery. \u201cI can paint when I have no gallery admin to do,\u201d she says. \u201cThere\u2019s amazing sunlight in here in the afternoons.\u201d (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

Another favourite space is the living room, which is the area Madi and Magnus use the most. \u201cThe kitchen runs the full length of the living room with lounges at one end and the dining table at the other \u2013 it\u2019s very communal,\u201d Madi says of the light-filled room, which, crucially, boasts underfloor heating. \u201cIt\u2019s often so warm in here in winter that I can leave the sliding doors open on a still day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AMagnus\u2019s bedroom features a Pillow Talk quilt cover, pillow from Sage & Clare, Moroccan blanket from Jumbled and pretzel cushion from Whimsy Milieu. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

\"AThe shelves and wall hold art by: Ellie Hannon; Amelia Lynch; Kate Stehr; Raphe Coombes; Meg Walters; Jaq Davies; and Christina McLean. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

Practical considerations aside, it was always essential to Madi that her home be all about art, from front to back. \u201cThe focus had to be on the art,\u201d she says. \u201cI wanted to keep everything else pretty simple. The only rooms that don\u2019t feature art are the bathrooms, as they\u2019re tiled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AAlfresco table and chairs from Bunnings. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

Also high on Madi\u2019s agenda was installing a flexible hanging system by Artiteq. \u201cIt means I can easily move art around on wires, just as I do in the gallery,\u201d she says. In fact, while the facade of Madi\u2019s house is dark and moody \u2013 the James Hardie Scyon Axon cladding brought to inky life in Dulux Black \u2013 the interior walls unveil colour and creativity through art at every turn.<\/p>\n

\"ArtistMadi collaborated with her son, Magnus, on this large painting titled Deep Dive. The cacti on the courtyard wall were painted by her ex-husband. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

\"ALiving adjacent to her workplace suits Madi perfectly. \u201cIt\u2019s so convenient \u2013 the commute is a dream! The only negative is I get a little too comfy in my little bubble and rarely venture outside of my block\u2026 we have the best coffee in Orange only a block away at Bills Beans.\u201d (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Rachael Gavel, Holm & Wood)<\/p>\n

As for the gallery wall, Madi\u2019s work is far from complete. \u201cI started displaying pieces in a corner and I want to keep buying art until there\u2019s no room left,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019m going to make the wall really hectic, intense and fun.\u201d <\/p>\n

For more, visit cornerstoregallery.com<\/a> and follow @cornerstoregallery on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Jackie\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWriter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJackie Brygel\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

When it comes to writing about all things homes-related, Jackie \u2013 a magazine features writer for over 25 years \u2013 is simply in her element. Few things bring her more joy than sitting down for a chat with homeowners to uncover their secrets to decorating magic. Other than spending time with her family and beloved golden retriever Bosley, of course!<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Hannah\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWriter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHannah James\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Hannah is a writer, editor and nature-lover who gets to enjoy all three pastimes as the deputy editor of Country Style. When not planning, commissioning and writing articles, she’s out exploring country towns and remote regions, both for fun and for future stories. Or she’s in a hammock somewhere, reading a book. Follow her on Instagram below. <\/p>\n

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