There’s a softness and depth to the way filmmaker Jake McCann captures the world - an ability to find beauty in the in-between, and to hold space for both lightness and loss. What began as a childhood habit of documenting everyday moments has evolved into a deeply personal visual language, shaped by emotion, memory, and a willingness to embrace life as it is.
Based in Bilambil Heights in Northern NSW, they’ve created a home that mirrors this sensibility - thoughtful, layered, and deeply lived-in. In this conversation, we step inside a space shaped slowly over time, where meaningful objects, handmade pieces, and an evolving approach to living reflect a life grounded in family, creativity, and intention.
| Photography by Jake Mccann
Featuring our Bhakti Abrash Wool Rug in Honey
Can you tell us a little about yourself, and the path that led you to filmmaking?
Filmmaking was always something I enjoyed doing; filming dumb videos as kids, random skate trips with friends, vacations, family, kind of everything. I always gravitated to film (stock) as I could shoot these otherwise every day things and they’d come back looking beautiful - and I guess somewhere in that I figured I’d leave the safety net of a salary and see if I can’t make a living doing this thing I enjoyed so much.
For those meeting you here for the first time, can you introduce your family and who you share your home with?
Happily! My partner Ainsley, curator of all things tasteful, my daughter Rowie, all smiles, and our dog Billie, the latest addition. Shout out to our first-born son too, Townes, forever in our hearts and home.
Your work is known for its atmosphere and emotional clarity - how would you describe your visual language, and what continues to shape it?
I tend to look for quiet moments; hold frames where often there’s no one around so we have a chance to breathe. I guess it’s the Pisces in me that longs for that deep sensibility. For the longest time I thought I was incredibly uncool being so enchanted by such depth of emotion, but now as I grow older and experience both grief and joy, I realise that’s me
“Life is way too short to be concerned with making anything insincere.”
| Ainsley & Rowie in their garden - @thefloraldiary
You’ve created a home that feels incredibly personal and layered. What was your vision for the space when you first began shaping it?
We’d been living here as tenants for a year before we had the chance to buy it, and so we had wildly grand plans of what we wanted to do to make it ours. But good things take time (and money) and so we’ve been more considerate in how we continue shaping the space, forever exploring new ideas and ways to make it feel even more personal. And, after maybe five years, it’s finally to a place we love.
There’s a strong sense of intention in your interiors - from vintage pieces to handcrafted elements. Can you tell us about some of the pieces that hold the most meaning for you?
Over time we’ve definitely shredded the excess and focused on having more personal pieces around the home. I have one piece in the living room that my late friend Baxter sent to me from London; it’s a personal work of his with his name scribed on the bottom too, which was rare with his work in the later years before he passed. We then have these three beautiful little portraits of Townes that sit beside the couch, which I enjoy looking at often.
We love that you built your own headboard. What drew you to making something by hand, and how did that process feel?
My father has been in the building game for a long time, and for the longest time I was the furthest thing from a builder he’d seen. And so part of me enjoys taking on projects like this (there’s been a lot) partly to make him proud, partly to give to my partner but also for some level of self-validation (and at half the price). How did it feel? Incredibly frustrating and then wildly satisfying - can’t have the good without the bad.
How do you and your family approach styling your home - what guides your choices when it comes to furniture, objects, and materials?
As we’ve moved through the years we try not to live with too much, and that what we do have is most often more personal and functional. We share similar taste though I’d give credit to Ainsley with the majority of the styling.
| Featuring our Bhakti Abrash Wool Rug in Honey
How do you create a sense of warmth or feeling in a room - whether for your family or when hosting others?
IKEA bulbs and nothing over 3000K. I always enjoy having music playing downstairs too, our house is only small so you can hear it pretty easily throughout and it always brings a nice warmth to the place.
Sustainability and longevity are central to Rugs for Good. How important is it for you to invest in pieces that are made with care and designed to last?
The older we get the more disdain we share for anything overtly disposable, and so investing in quality things for our home has become pretty important. Sure it’s more expensive but the quality is always worth it, I think.
Which Rugs for Good pieces have you brought into your home, and how have they changed or completed the space?
We laid the new Bhakti rug down in the bedroom and found it has a beautiful, deep texture that rounded off the room. Couple that with my DIY headboard and we’re both real chuffed with how the room now feels.
“A beautiful, deep texture that rounded off the room.”
Looking ahead, how do you hope your home continues to evolve alongside your work and your family life?
Balance, ha! We recently converted the spare room into my office and bought a pull-out sofa, so while I enjoy working from home I’d argue as things evolve, balancing work hours with family life in a more equal manner will be paramount.
SHOP THE EDIT-
1. Bhakti Abrash Wool Blend Rug in Honey by Rugs for Good. 2. 'Organism 10' Artwork by Kane Lehanneur. 3. 'Grounded' Incense by This is Incense. 4. Fado Table Lamp by IKEA. 5. Wooden Animal Toys by Oskar's Wooden Ark.
There’s a quiet tenderness to the way Jake and Ainsley share their world - thoughtful interiors, family life, and moments captured with depth. Follow along via Instagram @jake_mccann and @ainss.s, or discover more of Jake’s work here.
