Bev Killick is thrilled to be living in St Kilda again.
Four years ago, the comedian and her husband, Tony Day, bought an art deco apartment in the beachside suburb after a seven-year stint in a Caulfield rental.
"I couldn't wait to get back. I love St Kilda," Killick says. "I like how edgy it is, and surrounded by art, and influenced by art ??? a lot of comedians live here as well, artists, writers, people I hang with and do projects with. And I like to be able to walk wherever I go."
Killick raised both her children, Abel, 24 and Pepper, 10, in the iconic Melbourne neighbourhood, so the area holds sentimental value as well.
Killick first spotted the flat that is now her home when travelling on a tram one day, and was immediately struck by the building's striking art deco architecture.
The property had belonged to just one family since construction, and it was the first time in its history that the units were for sale.
"Some of them were like museum pieces from the '20s, they'd never been changed, and it was really quite bizarre," Killick says.
"This was one of the few that had had any kind of renovation, but it was a light renovation."
The two-bedroom apartment has a lounge, a balcony and a study nook - convenient for when out-of-town comedians need a place to crash - but it's the kitchen that Killick describes as the hub of the home.
"This is where we hang, this is where we have parties," she says.
It's also the only room that Killick has made any changes to since her family moved in. She created a feature wall using bright orange, 1970s era West German wallpaper.
"It was an accidental eBay purchase ??? a few German friends have said it actually brings back childhood memories for them."
A retro sensibility is key to Killick's taste. She prefers a vintage aesthetic, and eschews mod-cons such as a dishwasher, microwave or airconditioning. She also refuses to shop retail, and only owns things that she's been given or has found at places such as op shops.
"Everything has a story, it's been given, found, sourced, swapped, bartered. I don't really think to myself 'I've got to get a new art piece' and go shopping, things just come in and out."
The no-retail clause is partly a moral position, but Killick also describes it as a lovely mission.
A collector at heart, Killick had to part with many of her knick-knacks when the family moved to the apartment. Vintage tins, aprons and old cookware and blenders used to fill their Caulfield residence, but now just a few favourites remain.
"I find it's a bit like comedy. I get one piece and that will start off the rest. I pick up a couple of ceramic dogs and the next thing you know there's lots of little puppies. Comedy works the same way. You start with one idea and then it grows around it."
Killick is hosting Song Contest at St Kilda's Alex Theatre next month as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
The show pays homage to the Eurovision Song Contest, and Killick's character is the cheekily named Bettina Bitjakokov. Once that wraps up, she'll be travelling with the comedy festival Roadshow and performing on P&O cruise ships, both of which will keep her busy until winter.
"It's an interesting profession," Killick says. "I just stick to the stand-up, but you'll get a tele spot here and there, and I was just on Jack Irish. You just never know where you're going to go next."???
