In partnership with MCM House
The life of an actress is one lived largely on the road. It's a fact Miah Madden knows all too well. The Australian actress and creative has been carving out a life on the screen since she was just a child, with projects like The Unlisted and Paper Dolls taking her from her home in Sydney's Rose Bay.
But frequent travel means Madden is also an expert at cultivating a feeling of sanctuary at home; a quiet retreat from the bustling pace that comes with a burgeoning career of this kind. She's honed the careful craft of turning a space into a home, collecting an curating an eclectic mix of objects and textures that bring comfort, beauty, and a sense of self into her environment, no matter where that might be.
Below, Madden sits down with RUSSH for an intimate look into the space she calls home. She's giving us a glimpse into the objects that hold stories, the rituals that ground her, and the small, intentional details that transform a place into something deeply personal. This is how Miah finds calm amid the chaos, and builds a home that moves — and grows — with her.
LEFT: MCM HOUSE Parkha Sofa, Pronto Side Table, and Sienna Rug. RIGHT: MCM HOUSE Donato Occasional Chair
How would you describe your ideal space in three words?
Cozy, idyllic, fresh.
What, to you, transforms a house into a home; a sanctuary?
Scent is a huge one for me. I always have a diffuser flowing with essential oils, or incense burning. For me at least, scent has the power to bring about nostalgia. I have always associated the smell of lavender with my childhood home, my mum was always putting lavender in our drawers and rubbing our temples with lavender oil so being able to bring that scent to my home now transports me back to such happy memories. I also think art truly makes a house a home. Art is so personal, so subjective. The process of selecting art and then being able to curate the energy of a space by pairing it with your furniture and homewares is truly a form of creative expression.
MCM HOUSE Parkha Sofa, Pronto Side Table, Jean De Coffee Table, and Sienna Rug.
Is there a homeware trend you’re loving this winter?
Layering rugs has really grown on me. There's just something about pairing textiles which gives a space such a cozy energy, especially in the winter. Not to mention the right pairing can just look aesthetically gorgeous, as if the rugs were made to be piece together and you simply can't imagine one without the other.
During winter, we often find ourselves retreating inwards, and spending more time at home. Do you have any winter rituals you can’t go without?
As the nights get colder, I love making a little nest on my MCM House sofa. It's my own little space where, at the end of the day, I can decompress, wrapped in a blanket, with a cup of green tea and a good book. I will spend my whole day being excited for that moment at home at at the end of the day. A warm lamp and a Hunter candle is also essential for setting the mood. I love my space and me-time, and I really make an effort to prioritise those little moments in the winter.
MCM HOUSE Parkha Sofa, Pronto Side Table, Jean De Side Table, and Sienna Rug.
As an actress and creative, you travel a lot. How has this shaped your concept of a home?
When I'm filming, I spend so much time living out of serviced apartments in places I'm not familiar with, which makes me develop such an appreciation of my own home that I will never take for granted. However, I must say I've gotten pretty good at understanding that concept of home is inherently defined by you. I'll be in a freezing cold apartment in the middle of nowhere and always manage to recreate an on-the-go version of the little nest I create at home. It doesn't quite hit the same, but it usually does the trick to me get through the home-sickness. I must say though, there really is nothing better than being reunited with your own bed after returning home from a long shoot. I love my bed.
LEFT: MCM HOUSE Zaha Table Lamp, and Robare 2 Door Buffet. RIGHT: MCM HOUSE Pronto Dining Table, and Maki Natural Dining Chair.
Do you have a favourite memory in your home?
My favourite memory would have to be all the times my childhood dog, Lola, who sadly passed away last year, had sleepovers at my house once I moved into my own place. She was obsessed with my white MCM House sofa. She had black fur so I would always try to make her sit on a blanket so that she wouldn't shed on my new couch, but as soon as I turned away she would pull the blanket aside and curl up among the cushions. Girl had good taste! I refrained from getting the sofa dry cleaned for so long after she passed. It really is one of my favourite memories in my home, she was such a sassy pooch with so much personality.
Left: MCM HOUSE Pronto Dining Table, and Maki Natural Dining Chairs. Middle: MCM HOUSE Parkha Sofa. Right: MCM HOUSE Donato Occasional Chair, Pronto Side Table, and Sienna Rug.
What’s one thing that might surprise people to know that you have in your home?
Probably the sheer amount of flowers I have at any given time. I have so many beautiful vases and it feels criminal to keep them sad and empty. I love going to the farmer's market on a Saturday and getting bunches of native flowers and foliage, it's like a little gift to myself. Sometimes they take up the entire dining room table. I'm just a sucker for flowers, they look so beautiful and the more the merrier!
PHOTOGRAPHY Olivia Repaci
FASHION Hannah Cooper
MAKEUP Sean Brady @ A P Reps
HAIR Stephanie Dell
PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT Anne Thu Pham
STYLIST'S ASSISTANT Koby Dulac-Daley
Miah wears a dress by Common Hours, and her own jeans, socks, and jewellery.
