A little Palm Springs, a little 70s glamour and a whole lot of personality. This week, we're heading to the Surf Coast to step inside the wonderfully eccentric Jan Juc home of Simone Pansino, founder of jewellery label We The Stars.
Think soaring ceilings, sun-drenched spaces, vintage treasures, curious collectibles and a taxidermied rattlesnake with pearl eyes (yes, really). For Simone, more is more, and every object has a story to tell.From her love of all things weird and wonderful to the art of adornment, we chat about collecting, creativity, self-expression and why growing up should never mean growing boring.
Hey Simone, thank you so much for welcoming us into your beautiful home in Jan Juc. For those who may not know you, can you tell us a little about who lives in this beautiful home with you?
I live here with my husband, young adventuring son and a whole indoor forest of plants
Your home feels like a little slice of Palm Springs dropped into the Surf Coast. From its open layout to the indoor-outdoor living, what made you fall in love with the space, and how has it influenced the way you've furnished and styled your home?
In our home I was drawn to the uniqueness, the quality, the high ceilings and basically the 360 degree windows
My styling is an extension of me, I collect unique unusual objects from around the world & from vintage swap meets and I have made many of the ceramic sculptures. When I select decor basically I’m just looking for a talking point, a head turner, something unforgettable.
Every home has those special spots we naturally gravitate towards. Where do you find yourself spending the most time, and what are the little daily rituals that make those spaces feel like yours?
The lounge room I mean helllloooo its such a magical room… BUT lately my husband and baby have been hijacking it with toys and tv… mmmm not my style I'm all for the aesthetics hehe so i have moved to my studio as my sexy sultry hide away to create art and indulge in life
You're a self-confessed lover of all things unique and unusual. What's the weirdest or most wonderful object in your home, and what's the story behind it?
OMG so when i was getting my wedding ring made by the incredible Julia Deville, i asked her about her taxidermy, which she said not alot of people ask her about when coming to get rings made..
Anyway i was like mmm do you have a taxidermed snake?? And she ended up offering me this sexy AF rattle snake taxidermed with pearls as eyes LOL its iconic.
Thats probably the “weirdest thing” in the house and the best story lol but gosh if you take a walk around its a wonderland of weird, intriguing and attention grabbing pieces
Your jewellery brand, We The Stars, is a celebration of individuality, self-expression and the art of adornment. Throughout history, jewellery has been worn as a symbol of protection, power and personal identity. What does adorning yourself mean to you, and are there any special pieces you never leave the house without?
Honestly, I like to style myself like im a walking billboard it makes me feel so cool and sexy and also it showcases my pieces.. I’m like a walking art gallery because jewellery is art.. Especially when its made one at a time and one off.. Its pretty iconic and sexy!
I permanently wear a minimum of about 10 rings and 2-3 necklaces.. But im forever adding and re styling my hands, its an ever evolving process
You mentioned you travel to the Burning Man festival every year. It’s famously a place where anything goes. What's the most extraordinary thing you've experienced there, and has it changed the way you think about creativity or life?
This place changed my life and propelled me further into the trajectory of creativity and art. First and foremost though it taught me a lot about myself and the possibilities of life... Honestly my most memorable experience was in 2019 when I met an older gentleman who was a grandfather and he took me for a ride in the desert through the art, on this giant claw foot bath tub he had built.
That was pretty insane but the biggest lesson I took from meeting this man David, was that age is just a number and our society's condition of ‘needing to grow up’ is made up and not true.. We can always have fun and enjoy life and express ourselves and our creativity no matter our age…
Spirituality and symbolism seem to weave their way through your creative world. What role does spirituality play in your everyday life, and how does it influence the spaces you create and the jewellery you make?
Spirituality means to me learning to be whole heartedly myself and accepting all parts of myself that I might unconsciously reject… it also means magic to me… when we are open ~ magic & abundance comes to us in weird synchronicities and its so goddamn beautiful and COOOOL
With my spaces I go by feel, i love to imagine the Feng Shui of a room and how best i can orchestrate a space to have the best ‘vibe’ ,that is definitely one of my gifts and it brings me immense pleasure to curate a space
Mixing vintage furniture with contemporary art, objects and newer pieces keeps it feeling personal rather than like a recreation of a house from 1978.
From the jewellery you create to the way you dress and decorate your home, there's such a strong sense of personal style in everything you do. Where does that inspiration come from? Are there particular eras, artists or experiences you find yourself coming back to?
Slim aarons sexy boujee poolside women in the 60’s & 70’s OMG, i was definitely alive back then in a past life.. hehe ..
I also LOVE attention hehe so i am inspired by anything eye capturing, unforgettable and one of a kind… which reminds me!!! Do you know what another of my favorite pieces is ~ cigarette memorabilia (i hate smoking) BUT in an era where it was once sexy and sultry, i have this 60’s musical box where you press the button and it sings and opens to deliver you a cigarette.. SO iconic!!!
FAST FIVE:
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One piece of jewellery you’ll never take off / get rid of?
My wedding ring its one of the most unique heirlooms ill ever own -
Favourite type of stone or crystal?
Oh tri colour tourmalines anyday of the week, sexy multicoloured stones like WOW nature -
Playlist, song or artist you’re listening to on repeat right now?
Any sunrise sets from Burning Man throw me straight back into the euphoric desert … -
Favourite era of art or fashion that resonates with you?
60’s/70’s i Mean its the most iconic era yet.. AM I RIGHT??? And re art definitely Space Age i mean COOOOOLLL -
Favourite holiday destination for summer?
I bloody love Echuca Victoria, the flow of the river, the Australian landscape, the sunsets and beautiful music whilst skiing on dead flat water.. It makes me feel so free
