At Home with Gemma Watts

We chat to Gemma about her new framed Slim Aarons print and a bit about her home interiors and interior inspirations!

What was it about this photographic print that resonated with you?

I took up photography as a hobby when I was around 14 so, naturally, I spent a bit of time studying the work of Slim Aarons and have long-dreamt of having one of his prints in my home. When my partner and I purchased our first property, the timing was right!

I knew I wanted a print that I hadn’t seen in many places before. I’ve always loved the way Slim Aarons captured people and the way his work tells stories, so I knew I wanted a piece with people in it (I’m a writer and an only child, so I love to look at an image and come up with a story around it- I lead a rich fantasy life!). That said, I also love Slim Aarons’ landscape work, so I was torn.

As soon as my eyes hit the 'Las Brisas' print I’ve ended up with, after the Framing to a T team showed me some options, I knew it was the one. Our home is filled with warm, earthy tones, and I love that this ticks that box as well as injecting that pop of blue. It’s as close as I’m getting to a summer holiday anytime soon!

You have such a stunning way of producing and curating imagery in your work!

How does having beautiful imagery in your home set the feel and tone in your space?

Working in such a visual industry has led to me being pretty particular about my surrounds. I can say in all sincerity that our house truly did not feel like a home until we mounted this framed print. I can’t put my finger on why that is, but as soon as this piece was up on the wall, the whole feeling of the space changed entirely.

Slim Aarons captured exquisite, candid photography in exquisite locations.

Do you have a favourite travel destination or moment that this photographic print takes you back to?

This print doesn’t actually take me to a particularly exotic destination, but it does take me back to a feeling- that feeling of being on a summer holiday with people you love. True contentment! 

My parents have always been entertainers, and our family home is still really the entertainment centre of our extended family and friendship group. Having watched them throw everything from big parties to impromptu Friday night drinks, I’ve always dreamt of my own home having that same fun atmosphere and our dining table sitting at the centre of that. This photo is sitting in our dining area which leads out to our big decking (primed for summer entertaining!), so it’s really special to me to have this piece sitting right in the middle of what I deem to be the heart of the home. I hope I can make guests feel as relaxed and joyful as the people in the photo are!

You must have loved sourcing and styling your new home, do you have any other favourite artists that you hope to introduce to your interiors?

I am really loving quite graphic art and illustrations at the moment, and I have my eye on a couple of piece by Swedish artists Hanna Peterson and Sandra Blomen Maschinsky at the moment.

Where are you discovering interiors and design influences for your new home?

It’s a cliche, but Pinterest! I am having the best time scrolling through Pinterest looking for home inspo. My fear is that the home will never be truly “finished,” because I’ll keep falling in love with new styles and pieces!

Who, or where do you look to for inspiration for your creative work?

I really enjoy reading beauty, fashion and design reference books. I think knowing, understanding and respecting the history of a trend or style can separate good writing from great writing (the same ethos can apply to photography!), so I try to learn as much as possible in my downtime.

FRAMING TO A T are Melbourne’s largest stockists of Slim Aarons photographic prints. Visit us at one of our three locations in Melbourne, shop our curated edit of Slim Aarons prints online with delivery available Australia-wide, or get in touch to view our extensive catalogues of Slim Aarons’ works.