Broad Horizons
Sun Herald
Sunday January 16, 2005
Filled with travel trinkets and furniture from foreign lands, Felicity Rulikowski's home bears the mark of its globetrotting owner.
Who lives here? Felicity Rulikowski, owner of Safari Living, a furniture, homewares and gift store in Melbourne's Prahran.Describe your personal style. "Nomadic but urban. I'm a traveller and I tend to pick up things from all over the world. I have a beautiful outdoor bench I picked up in Indonesia a couple of years ago and I have an African Tonga stool." How long has it taken you to pull your home together? "Not long as it's a small space [in Prahran] but it took six months before everything found its 'right' place."What were your priorities? "In choosing a place to live in - light and space. In decorating - creating a sanctuary to come home to, a space to relax and rejuvenate."Did you enlist professional help? "Not in this instance. I own a home but I'm renting now because I'm travelling a lot for work. It's a small space that suits me."Best thing about living here? "The low-maintenance aspect means it's easy to lock up and leave when travelling. And the location is central but still remarkably quiet."Favourite spot? "The courtyard step on a sunny morning with newspapers and a coffee."What are the three things you most prize? "A painting by Aboriginal artist Mitjili Napurrula, a bunch of coloured lucite grapes that belonged to a dear friend of mine and my fez, woven in Indonesia by highly skilled craftsmen." What is your decor secret? "Light and height and an adventurous spirit! If you have good natural light and tall ceilings, everything else is fixable."Any advice? "Be true to yourself and follow your own style. I'm a regular trawler of second-hand stores and auction rooms. I always find something different."StockistsChapel Street Bazaar (03) 9529 1727David Jones 133 357Graham Geddes Antiques (03) 9509 0308Map (03) 9826 2692, www.mapfurniture.comSafari Living (03) 9510 4500Sofa Workshop (02) 9966 4588
© 2005 Sun Herald