suburban kerb appeal

Meet Sandy Weir from Other People’s Homes

Interview Hayley Griffiths @hayleyg.creative

Images Sandy Weir @other_peopleshomes

The humble abode has come a long way from years past, but Sandy Weir has uncovered some of Australia’s suburban treasures through her lens from all architectural walks of life. From art deco apartments to fibro shacks, sturdy brick boxes and mid-century stunners, Sandy has seen it all.

Behind the wildly popular Instagram account @other_peopleshomes and now published author of a book in the same name, Sandy takes us on a trip down memory lane, as she sticky beaks at houses that remind us of where we grew up. Wollongong is no stranger to these architectural delights, as a cultural melting pot with a long and proud history. Let’s see what Sandy has to say about our much-loved Coal Coast.

Tell us more about your background and where the idea for Other People's Homes came from?

Other People’s Homes came from me not wanting to be at home after my dog died. I’ve always been a wanderer and sticky beak, so I took to the suburban streets to escape the silence at home. I shared a few photos of houses I thought were interesting and then boom! Lots of people started following me on my Instagram account and it evolved from there.

Your Instagram account in the same name (@other_peopleshomes) has exploded in growth with over 88k followers now. What do you think draws people to your content, in particular Australian homes?

I started the account during Covid, a time when things felt a bit uncertain to many, and nostalgia and comfort was on the rise – like comfort eating, comfort reading and comfort viewing. I think people liked to be reminded of where they grew up or wanted to grow up, the places we passed on the way to get mixed lollies as a kid, what you saw out the window on the way to Nan and Pops. Our suburban view is changing faster than we realise, so I’m capturing a snapshot of a disappearing Australia.

We would love to know what architectural styles of homes you've found in Wollongong and if you have a favourite house in mind?

Wollongong has a little bit of everything. I don’t like to name favourites but that little half a house in Warrawong is a bonza piece of Australian architecture.

Are there any particular suburbs in Wollongong that interested people should drive through to experience unique architecture from all walks of life?

Wollongong is a treasure trove of architectural styles, which makes it a gem of a place. There is something for everyone. There is a collection of traffic stopping art deco houses in Mount Ousley mingling with a great set of stylish mid-century modern beauties. The classic-coloured fibro houses scatted all over the area are so heart-warming. Lakes Heights has a fabulous mix of houses.

Congratulations on the launch of your beautiful new book 'Other People's Homes, Suburban Kerb Appeal'. Can you share more about the process of writing and publishing the book?
Thank you. I never thought I’d write a book and there’s not much writing in mine. The captions were ready to go, although on re-reading, I do wonder what I was banging on about, so I revised them. The trickiest bit was selecting the pictures as I’ve taken so many. I had a wonderful trip down memory lane while I went through them all, I’ve covered a lot of kilometres. It’s been such tremendous and surprising experience.

Can you share what's next for yourself and Other People's Homes?

More walking. More house stalking. More meeting the owners when they pop out the front door and ask why I’m taking a picture. I enjoy the interaction with the people I’ve found through this new aspect of my life. I’m looking forward to finding more suburban beauties and pounding the pavements of the Illawarra.