Home Made in Bridgeman

Hello, I’m Isabel.

My mother Amanda and I created Home Made in Bridgeman in December 2023 when we moved into our Bridgeman Downs townhouse. By our side is Mum’s Australian Cattle Dog, Buster Dougal.

I’m a finance and economics professional with degrees in Commerce and Journalism. I currently work as a Senior Policy Adviser.

I grew up in Cairns, lived in Ohio for a year during high school, moved to the Gold Coast for my first degree, and settled in Brisbane to start my career.

My childhood was blessed with family holidays, delicious meals, and a hometown surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges and a glittering coastline. I was a dancer and musician, and am still an avid theatergoer and occasional performer.

I’ve always loved travelling, food, architecture, interior design and fashion – in part because these were joys I shared with my parents.

My father passed away in late September 2023 – the same day Mum’s and my home loan was approved. The following weeks were a gut-wrenching blur. Somewhere in there, we bought a house.

Becoming a homeowner and grieving a parent were two huge life events that taught me endless lessons. In time, grief developed into a longer and more complicated period of healing – and with more time, sadness turned to gratitude.

That first year was both the most challenging and beautiful in my life. But it was also incredibly isolating. Home became my ‘safe place’ to feel it all.

To say I’m proud of my mother is an understatement. Amanda is the epitome of dignity and grace. After more than 30 years in Cairns with my father, she (and Buster) moved to Brisbane in December 2019 under difficult circumstances. We rented a townhouse together for the next four years, both working hard and living the best life we could.

Mum spends a lot of time travelling to Canberra and around Australia for work. Her Political Adviser role (which she started a week before the pandemic hit in a stroke of fate) brings her joy, challenge and adventure. She often tells people with a radiating smile, “no day is ever the same,” and I witness her living each with tenacity and gratitude.

Mum is loving, diligent, intelligent and deeply committed to all she cares about. She has a warm soul, fiery passion, and seeks beauty in the world around her.

I like to think she’s passed “the eye” for style to me. I love sharing the joys of home creation with her – and having this outlet with you.

Thank you for being part of our journey.