Domain 22/5/2017 Damien Leith on the biggest adjustments to
May 24, 2017 12:15:48 GMT 10
Post by thebraff (Braffy) on May 24, 2017 12:15:48 GMT 10
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Damien Leith on the biggest adjustments to life in Australia
Australia was a very different experience for this Irish expat and former Australian Idol winner.
What is your strongest memory of your childhood home?
I always remember the kitchen, the hub of the house. No matter what was going on, we would all end up in the kitchen – making dinner, singing songs, chatting about everything. It was always full of family and friends. I think some of my favourite childhood memories were centred around that room.
an Idol winner, singer Damien Leith Photo: Supplied
Singer Damien Leith performs at the Koroit Irish Festival in south-west Victoria earlier this year.
Photo: Rob Gunstone
What do you recall about buying your first home?
It was an incredible feeling. Eileen and I were expecting our first child, Jarvis, so it was such an exciting time for us and the home put icing on the cake. We got to decorate his room, do our first budget renovations. We loved the area straight away and in fact still live just around the corner from our first home.
What were your impressions of living in Australia versus your birthplace of Ireland?
As soon as I got off the plane and landed in Australia, I was called Damo which I had never been called before. I also quickly learnt that I needed to step in to my manhood by cooking on the barbecue! Also being so much more outdoorsy, going to the beach, playing soccer in the park, taking the kids cycling and park life – I never did much of that back home. Outdoor life with the kids is something we treasure.
Have you ever house-shared with flatmates?
I did for a very brief time in Dublin. Shared a house with three other guys and it was complicated. Young guys are not the greatest when it comes to cleaning bathrooms and the house in general. Luckily for me, I met up with a gorgeous Australian girl (my now-wife) and we moved into a place together.
Can you share any tips for organising your home?
No clutter. We constantly do household culls, removing anything that hasn’t been used recently. Everything has its place and everyone knows, especially the kids, that it needs to go back where it belongs after use. It’s quite a creative house, with drawings and music everywhere but we find keeping things ordered helps it not to get chaotic.
Do you have a favourite room?
The dining room has to me my favourite since it reminds of the kitchen when I was younger – it’s where everyone hangs out and all our musical instruments are in that room. Jagger and Jarvis spend most of their time in there doing homework and playing guitar or piano. Kikki like to drags her toys into there also.
What is the worst piece of furniture or household item you have bought?
Anything that required self-assembly – I’m atrocious at it and generally finish building the piece of furniture with pieces left over. I remember I built a barbecue and one of the first steps was placing the wheels on – I put them on backwards and when the entire unit was complete I had take it apart entirely to fix my error.
What’s the best household item you own (and why)?
It has to be our bed – they say you should invest in a good bed and I totally agree. Nothing like a good night’s sleep. I used to be a very bad sleeper but nowadays I go unconscious.
Do you enjoy gardening?
I’m not a green thumb and unfortunately most plants under my care die.
If you could live in a dream house, anywhere in the world, where would it be?
We have our sights set close to home – Balmoral beach in Sydney – it’s just beautiful.
Singer and songwriter Damien Leith is touring nationally until August. See damienleith.com.au.
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Damien Leith on the biggest adjustments to life in Australia
Australia was a very different experience for this Irish expat and former Australian Idol winner.
What is your strongest memory of your childhood home?
I always remember the kitchen, the hub of the house. No matter what was going on, we would all end up in the kitchen – making dinner, singing songs, chatting about everything. It was always full of family and friends. I think some of my favourite childhood memories were centred around that room.
an Idol winner, singer Damien Leith Photo: Supplied
Singer Damien Leith performs at the Koroit Irish Festival in south-west Victoria earlier this year.
Photo: Rob Gunstone
What do you recall about buying your first home?
It was an incredible feeling. Eileen and I were expecting our first child, Jarvis, so it was such an exciting time for us and the home put icing on the cake. We got to decorate his room, do our first budget renovations. We loved the area straight away and in fact still live just around the corner from our first home.
What were your impressions of living in Australia versus your birthplace of Ireland?
As soon as I got off the plane and landed in Australia, I was called Damo which I had never been called before. I also quickly learnt that I needed to step in to my manhood by cooking on the barbecue! Also being so much more outdoorsy, going to the beach, playing soccer in the park, taking the kids cycling and park life – I never did much of that back home. Outdoor life with the kids is something we treasure.
Have you ever house-shared with flatmates?
I did for a very brief time in Dublin. Shared a house with three other guys and it was complicated. Young guys are not the greatest when it comes to cleaning bathrooms and the house in general. Luckily for me, I met up with a gorgeous Australian girl (my now-wife) and we moved into a place together.
Can you share any tips for organising your home?
No clutter. We constantly do household culls, removing anything that hasn’t been used recently. Everything has its place and everyone knows, especially the kids, that it needs to go back where it belongs after use. It’s quite a creative house, with drawings and music everywhere but we find keeping things ordered helps it not to get chaotic.
Do you have a favourite room?
The dining room has to me my favourite since it reminds of the kitchen when I was younger – it’s where everyone hangs out and all our musical instruments are in that room. Jagger and Jarvis spend most of their time in there doing homework and playing guitar or piano. Kikki like to drags her toys into there also.
What is the worst piece of furniture or household item you have bought?
Anything that required self-assembly – I’m atrocious at it and generally finish building the piece of furniture with pieces left over. I remember I built a barbecue and one of the first steps was placing the wheels on – I put them on backwards and when the entire unit was complete I had take it apart entirely to fix my error.
What’s the best household item you own (and why)?
It has to be our bed – they say you should invest in a good bed and I totally agree. Nothing like a good night’s sleep. I used to be a very bad sleeper but nowadays I go unconscious.
Do you enjoy gardening?
I’m not a green thumb and unfortunately most plants under my care die.
If you could live in a dream house, anywhere in the world, where would it be?
We have our sights set close to home – Balmoral beach in Sydney – it’s just beautiful.
Singer and songwriter Damien Leith is touring nationally until August. See damienleith.com.au.
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