Steph Leslight by Leif Prenzlau.

Your home is so gorgeous and feels deeply considered. Was the art collection the starting point for the interiors, or did the collection evolve alongside the house?

Thank you, it’s definitely been a labour of love as we built the house ourselves. It was a bit of both with the art. We already had a few key pieces before we built the house, and we’ve collected the others since moving in. The art you choose and where you place it really sets the tone of a room and can completely influence the direction and style of everything else. There were also some pieces we built the house around, like the Tom Dixon metallic silver Blob wall light.

What’s the first artwork visitors tend to notice, and is it the one you hoped they’d notice?

I think the Belem Lett piece at the entrance is the first thing people notice because it’s so vibrant and eye-catching. It features looping tubular forms across metal surfaces, inspired by the pathways of celestial bodies – a line that never ends. The other is the large Daimon Downey graffiti Mouse painting in the lounge room. It’s quite unexpected, and its colours really set the tone for the furnishings in that room.

Do you remember the first piece you ever bought? Looking back now, do you think it still reflects your taste today?

The first major piece we bought was The Stallion, a large ink-on-paper work by our good friend and artist Dominique Sutton. At the time, Dom was best known for her large-scale metal sculptures that appeared on top of Centrepoint Tower during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. They’ve since been restored and repositioned near Homebush Bay Drive. I loved The Stallion immediately, it has such wonderful energy and emotion like he’s about to gallop through the room.

When you’re choosing an artwork, what are you responding to first: emotion, colour, the artist, or simply instinct?

A little bit of everything, but mostly how the artwork makes me feel. It could be the technique, the colours or simply an instinctive reaction to it. I’ve been told I’m drawn to faces, which is probably true, as we seem to have quite a few around the house.

What is your favourite place to source works from? Apart from all your incredibly talented friends!

I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by so many creative friends who expose me to wonderful art. I also love visiting local galleries, going to Arts-Matter events and, of course, Sydney Contemporary. It brings so many fabulous galleries and artists together in one place.

Do you and your husband always agree on art choices? Are there any pieces you needed to get across the line, or that you did not quite agree on?

Ha…probably most of them! I’m sure some pieces aren’t necessarily to his taste at first, but he usually comes around if I’m persistent enough.

Are there works here that mark a particular chapter of your life, where every time you walk past them, you’re taken back to a specific moment?

Definitely. In particular, we have a beautiful, detailed drawing of a little Vietnamese girl that was given to us as a wedding gift. It always takes me back to that time in our lives to our first home together.

Living in South Bondi, with the ocean just outside your door, do you find your surroundings influence the kind of art you’re drawn to?

Yes, our beachside outlook definitely has an influence. I’m naturally drawn to pieces that feel light, bright and full of energy. Nothing too heavy or dark.

Has there ever been an artwork you initially weren’t sure about but has become one of the most important pieces in your home?

Not really. I usually have quite an immediate reaction to art, if I love something I know straight away.

How do you decide where a work belongs? Does it immediately find its place, or do you constantly move things around?

If I see something I love or connect with, I immediately start imagining where it could go in the house and if it fits…then I really want it! Sometimes it ends up in the most unlikely spot. We do reshuffle things every so often. We’re probably due for one now.

What role do you think art plays in making a house feel like a home?

Art is what gives a house its soul. It brings character, warmth and personality, and makes a space feel uniquely yours. I also think art offers a bit of escapism, while giving a sneaky glimpse into who you are and maybe even a little of what’s going on inside your mind.

If you could add one artwork by any artist, living or dead, to your collection tomorrow, what would it be, and why?

I would love a Jean-Michel Basquiat piece. There’s something about that raw, rebellious energy of 1980s New York the art, music, fashion and creative freedom of that time that I’ve always loved. His work captures all of that chaos and energy so brilliantly. Madonna has one! Although I’d also very happily find room for anything by Joshua Yeldham.

If your art collection disappeared tomorrow and you could only save one piece, which would it be, and what makes it impossible to replace?

I’d be devastated. But if I’m allowed to bend the rules, and could only grab one thing I’d grab my photo albums. They’re filled with memories, stories and moments of beauty and, to me, that makes them the most irreplaceable art in our home.