A Room of One's Own

A Room of One's Own is an intimate talk series set in a bedroom. Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s book A Room of One’s Own.

A Room of Abby's Own in Paris

In this episode, we step inside Abby's apartment in Paris — a space shaped by creativity, simple rituals, and the things that make a place feel like home. Through her journey from Melbourne to Paris, Abby shares how she has built a life in a new city through the things that bring her comfort, curiosity, and a sense of home.

Could you start by telling us a little about yourself?

I'm Abby. I grew up on the Gold Coast and moved to Melbourne straight after finishing school. I've now been living in Paris for about three years.

My background is a bit of a mix, and I hope it continues to evolve. I studied textile design before moving into psychology. I've always loved creative pursuits, but I've tended to see creativity as something that complements my life and who I am, rather than something I wanted to do full-time.

Psychology has always been my broader interest and something I've felt deeply drawn to. I currently work in healthcare, which I'm really passionate about.

Outside of work, I spend a lot of my time knitting and designing patterns - something I'm slowly trying to make a bigger part of my life and, dare I say, maybe even a small income stream one day.

What does ‘home’ mean to you?

A nice coffee mug, my current projects, always a book and some knitting, and silence (which can be a little tricky when your boyfriend is a musician, but we make it work).

You recently moved to Paris from Melbourne - what inspired the move abroad, and why PARIS?

I've always loved Paris and had this idea in the back of my mind that I'd live here one day, but it always felt more like a dream than an actual plan.

At the time, I was finishing my psychology thesis, which I could complete remotely, and work was going really well. I remember thinking, if I'm ever going to spend a year overseas and then come back, now is probably the best time to do it.

I'm not really a "the grass is greener" kind of person - I genuinely loved my life in Melbourne. I just had a really strong gut feeling about moving to Paris, and I decided to trust it.

It turned out to be one of the most life-changing decisions I've ever made.

How did you learn the language?

I learnt French at school, which, to be honest, doesn’t get you very far, but it does give you a sense of familiarity with the language and a foundation to build from.

Since moving here, I actually haven’t taken any classes (which I definitely should!). Most of what I’ve learnt has been “in the wild” - through everyday life and figuring things out (very clumsily) as I go.

The biggest help by far has been working in French. Being surrounded by the language every day has pushed me to learn so much faster than I ever could in a classroom, which is also probably why I’ve never gone back to taking classes.

I think one of the biggest challenges of moving to a new city is making friends as an adult. How has that experience been for you in Paris?

It’s been tricky, but I was lucky enough to meet a few people when I first arrived, which made the initial transition a little easier. Overall, though, it’s been a strange adjustment.

You miss your friends back home - the people who know all your little habits, your history, and all the small details that make you who you are. Building that kind of connection again takes time.

But slowly, your network grows, and there’s something really beautiful about creating a new community from scratch. Over time, friendships naturally started to grow, and I just trusted that process.

For me, I think it was a little easier because I genuinely enjoy spending time alone, so I’m quite content with having a quieter social life.

You also enjoy knitting. what first inspired you to start, and what’s your favorite part about it as a hobby?

I learnt to knit when I was young, but I really got into it more as a teenager. I was - and still am - quite a solitary person, and I’ve always enjoyed making things with my hands.

I was constantly creating little bits and pieces and giving them to friends or family, although at the time I wasn’t really thinking about why I enjoyed it so much or what drew me to it.

Nowadays, knitting is one of the few things that truly grounds me and makes me feel like myself. There’s something really special about creating something with your hands and repeating the same movement over and over again. I think that feeling is probably the reason I started knitting, and the reason I’ve continued all these years.

It’s never let me down.

With your current work in special education, have you always been drawn to education, or did it come into your life unexpectedly?

No, not really. Like everything in life, it often comes unexpectedly, and you just continue doing the things you naturally enjoy.

I’ve always been drawn to working with people, but more specifically, one-on-one work rather than traditional education settings. I don’t particularly enjoy being in large groups or around a lot of people, which is probably why I naturally gravitated away from that path.

I’ve always worked with children, but from a therapeutic perspective rather than an educational one. When I moved to Paris, finding work was very difficult, and this was the opportunity that came up.

It’s been a really interesting transition, and although it wasn’t something I initially planned, I’ve genuinely loved working with adults and discovering a different side of the field.

How would you describe your personal style?

Simple and comfortable. I only buy second-hand and I don't buy much, but I love pieces that are practical, timeless, but still have a bit of personality like a small detail, an interesting texture, or a beautiful fabric.

Abby wears Pointelle Half-Sleeve Top Cream

Are there any small rituals or routines that make a place feel like home for you, no matter where you are?

It’s the small, everyday things that make a place feel like home. Having my morning coffee and working on my current project gives me a sense of continuity, no matter where I am.

I’ve realised that home is less about a physical place and more about creating little moments of familiarity wherever I am, even when everything around me is new.

I think this is why I adapt quite easily to new environments.

What does your morning routine look like these days? And what’s your go-to breakfast lately?

I work shift work, so my morning routine really depends on whether I’m working mornings or nights.

If I’m starting early, I always make myself a coffee and try to have a little quiet time before I leave for work. I think when you spend your days caring for and helping others, making a conscious effort to give something back to yourself becomes really important. Those small moments for myself help me feel grounded before starting the day.

For breakfast, I usually have a tartine with cheese (at the moment, it’s cream cheese) when I get to work. Otherwise, I’m a yoghurt and muesli girl.

Are there any films or books you’ve enjoyed at home this spring?

I recently read The Secret History by Donna Tartt, which was incredible.

I love when a book is so engaging that you can completely lose yourself in the story and forget that you have a life and responsibilities outside of it.

Favourite eat/ drink/ coffee place in Paris? And is there a place or activity you love taking friends to?

You can’t really go wrong with most restaurants and bars in Paris, so I think it’s more about exploring the area you’re in rather than travelling far - which is something I find we often do in Australia.

I love Rives, a restaurant in the 11th arrondissement. It has great food, even better service, and just a really lovely atmosphere overall.

As for activities, it really depends on the vibe, but I always suggest a long ride (or walk) along the Seine from one end to the other. You get to see so much of the city, and it’s just incredibly beautiful.