Interior designer Lyn Gardener Q&A: we ask the questions
Posted by Sarah L on May 10th, 2011 
As one of Australia’s top interior stylists, vintage maven Lyn Gardener (right, with Jack) is kept on her toes running a gorgeous emporium in Albert Park, South Melbourne, a decorating business and a holiday home in our Smith & Friends collection. We asked Lyn to spare a few minutes to tell us about what’s brilliant in her own backyard (and beyond)…
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What sparked your interest in vintage?
I’ve been collecting ever since my mother started taking me to secondhand markets when I was 15. I discovered a love for vintage and for fossicking, and opened my store, Empire Vintage in Albert Park, 18 years ago, which led me into interior decorating. I’ve renovated four of my own properties and today, with my partner Amanda Henderson-Marks, run Gardener & Marks, consulting on other people’s homes, shops and offices (including the new Smith offices in Melbourne). 
We’re a little bit in love with your Victoria holiday home, The White House (left), in Daylesford. How did you source the look?
I’m a bit of a hoarder and have been collecting my entire life, so I could probably fit out two more houses with what I have in storage! The pieces were sourced from around Australia, including country finds and ex-industrial furniture. If I see something amazing, I can’t let it pass.
How can we recreate your style at home?
Start with a blank canvas of all-white walls, then make the furniture and other pieces the focus. I love collections of any sort, so if you have one mirror on the wall, add more in all shapes and sizes. Group together different artworks, or place piles of books out for people to read and rummage through. Filling a vase or old bottles with twigs, leaves or flowers always makes a room feel fresh. 
Ideal weekend away?
At the moment, it’s staying at the White House (right), as it’s so popular I rarely get in myself. I love it in winter for the huge fireplace and cosy couches, and summer when I can relax in the garden. I go for walks around the lake, visit antiques stores and eat at local pub the Farmers Arms.
Tell us about your corner of the world…
I’ve lived in North Fitzroy, Melbourne, for close to 20 years. I love it because it’s home to great restaurants and bars, I can walk in to the city, and I’m close to Edinburgh Gardens, which is perfect for picnics and walking my dog, Jack.
What’s the first thing you would show a new visitor to Melbourne?
I’d take them to Smith Street in Collingwood and Gertrude Street in neighbouring Fitzroy. Smith Street faves include Turkish food at Gigibaba, meaty tapas dishes at Josie Bones, and Panama Dining Room and Bar for smart share plates. On Gertrude Street, I like to pop into Enoteca for a drink and a snack, Max Watts Industria for antiques and quirky finds, and Mr Lincoln for fresh flowers. 
Which is your favourite hotel and what makes it so great?
The most divine boutique hotel I have ever stayed in is L’Hôtel Particulier (left) in the tiny village of Arles in the South of France. It’s privately owned, with just a handful of exquisite rooms, all overlooking a central courtyard and pool. My breath was actually taken away it is so beautiful.
Where’s next on your holiday wish-list?
I’m off to visit a friend in Amsterdam in a few weeks’ time, and we plan to escape to Berlin and Granada over the weekends. After that, I want to go to New York, Morocco, Turkey.
Which cities have provided the best vintage finds?
I find a treasure from each and every visit overseas. They’ve ranged from a diamond ring at a Venice market, a brooch from a market in New York to wonderful pieces, such as old botanical prints and a globe in Paris. I can’t visit Paris without visiting Merci (below) lifestyle store. I also try to collect a vintage postcard from every country I visit.
What do you never leave home without?
My passport and kissing my dog as many times as possible before I shut the door!
Tell us something we don’t know…
Amanda and I are working on a fantastic new project on the top floor of the gorgeous GPO building in Melbourne, adding a deli, outdoor terrace, two private rooms and a large salon-style eating hall. It’s very exciting news and you, Mr and Mrs Smith, are the first to know about it (it does not even have a name yet!).
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LYN’S MELBOURNE ADDRESS BOOK
Empire Vintage 63 Cardigan Place, Albert Park, Victoria (+61 (0)3 9682 6677)
Enoteca, 229 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Victoria (+61 (0)3 9415 8262)
Farmers Arms 1 East Street, Daylesford, Victoria (+61 (0)3 5348 2091)
Gigibaba 102 Smith Street, Collingwood, Victoria (+61 (0)3 9486 0345)
Josie Bones 98 Smith Street, Collingwood, Victoria (+61 (0)3 9417 1878)
Max Watts Industria 202 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Victoria (+61 (0)2 9417 1117)
Mr Lincoln 102 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Victoria (+61 (0)3 9417 3611)
Panama Dining Room and Bar Level 3/231 Smith Street, Collingwood, Victoria (+61 (0)3 9417 7663)
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