When you enter the vibrant, comfortable Long Mountain residence of author Pauline “Irie” Edie, it’s clear that the decor is a physical representation of her effervescent energy and a visual indication of her bohemian spirit, and she is straight up in declaring that fact.

“What you see here is a reflection of me. Whatever is in here is what I would wear.”

What you see and feel upon entry to the open-concept townhouse is relaxation combined with a tropical profusion of colours. The great room wall hue is that of a “good ripe Bombay” mango. Over that, an extensive collection of art reflects its owner’s travels.

“When I travel, I like to bring back stuff to remind me of the places I have been.”

Cuba, Spain, Chile, Jamaica, Greece are all represented, giving a gallery-type vibe.

There’s art therapy in this passion as well. Pauline shares that her collection is also an escape.

“Art is one of the best ways, after a gloomy, messed up day, [to] lose myself and be taken back to that pleasant experience. It’s a holistic experience for me. When I travel, it’s always an enjoyable, pleasurable experience.”

In her welcoming sitting area, the accessories of throw cushions and candles are in colours drawn from the lovely art.

“When I look at something that I love, it speaks about who I am. Everything you see on my walls is a reflection of me. I’m a colourful person, so you realise all my art has colours in it.”

This confident lady not only knows what she likes but also sticks with what she likes.

After 10 years in her breezy mountain-top home with resplendent city and harbour views, a moderate repair job of termite damage grew into a complete renovation. As the troubled area was freshened, she realised the paint was brighter even though she retained the original palette. So updating throughout was necessary and, along the way, there were additions of some decade-long wishlist items.

“Once you fix one thing and paint, other places look dull, so I decided to redo the whole thing.”

Although upgrading her solid surface counters in the kitchen wasn’t on the horizon, a visit to a local home centre changed that.

“I knew I wanted granite and, fortunately and gratefully, I was at the stage where I could make the purchase. I decided to spend the money. I saw this slab named “Genesis”, and it was perfect, like it is the beginning. It’s like a new home.”

The gorgeous stone and new island is enhanced with the unique, edginess of a metal, mosaic backsplash. The original cabinets and hardware were retained but darkened for more contrast.

The kitchen is the important epicentre for Irie’s regular monthly social gatherings – at least for the food preparations, with party themes that range from oyster to Prosecco nights with dear friends.

The expansive deck with its light canvas awning and Brazilian greenheart wood flooring is the star entertainment space.

“I do a lot of entertaining. My friends love my home. My home is a very peaceful place, so when my friends come here, it is zen.”

With views spanning from Red Hills to the airport, there is a twinkling cityscape to enjoy at nights. Irie laughs and says her preference for white wine and champagne’s Italian cousin is well known to intimates as the libation of choice in her incredible outdoor space. When asked about the use of the outdoor space, she chuckles.

“Ninety per cent of the time I live outside. I’m an outdoor kind of girl.”

Her passion for intense saturation of colour extends to her landscaping. Fortunate to have a corner lot, she has planted some thirteen Poui trees along the street. They bestow their golden glory magnificently, albeit with a short display. She wisely has chosen hardy plants for the area, which can be dry and windy.

“Poui is my absolute favourite, it is just amazing when all of them bloom. I love plants, but I plant hardy plants, such as Poui and Sago Palm, that can withstand the drought.”

Back inside, she calls her TV area her “rec room”. A framed article she penned on an exotic trip joins the gallery. The huge L-shaped sofa is accessorised with colourful pieces from Spaces. In fact, all her renovation purchases were made locally. “I wanted the renovation to be done and done quickly. I knew what I had in mind, and… I just went out and saw stuff and got them.”

The powder room was refurbished with a custom-made cabinet and a beautiful hammered metal vessel. The original tiles were kept, but the paint colour was intensified to make the art pop. Here, a framed set of originals by cartoonist Clovis, denote Irie’s incredible career as an author. She has several books to her credit, and the art here is illustrations from one of the publications – a volume on the history of ganja.

The guest bedroom is adorable, with a vivid quilt that balances the inky intensity of a deep purple wall. Antiques include a wrought iron bed painted in light green and a seaman’s trunk. The bed was Irie’s first furniture purchase, and its charm followed her from her previous apartment to her hilltop abode.

The master, too, has intense choices with deep chocolate on the walls, but the richness is warm rather than heavy, lightened by the accompaniment of blues from the art and bedding.

“That’s my sweetheart bedroom. I love it,” says Irie. “That bedroom is my solace. When I go up there, I forget about the world. I am home. My books are there; I read a lot and just reflect. If I had a bed only in there, I would be fine.”

When asked where she got her aesthetic sensibilities, she shares: “I work in administration for a real estate development company, but I think my style evolves from my personality.”

She goes even deeper to elaborate on how her employer showed her the way to homeownership.

Even as her company was the developer of the neighbourhood where she now resides, she never imagined that she could afford the down payment and mortgage. It was after work one evening that her boss showed her, on a drink napkin, how her book commissions could add up to the first deposit needed. Furthermore, he advised that she would need to make sacrifices in her expenditures, such as weekly salon visits and her well-known generosity towards friends.

“I sacrificed for a year and a half to build up my deposit. I am grateful for that. I also have to put a plug in for my mom as she gave me her National Housing Trust (NHT) benefit. I have already paid it back. That’s my story, and I am so grateful. As a single person, I am grateful to have my home.”

Irie’s special spirit is epitomised by her wonderful home which, like every visual expression she makes, is fuelled by her life philosophy.

“I am one of the lucky ones. I’m the eternal optimist. I don’t plan every detail of my life; I let my life take me where it wants. I say, ‘Lord, this is in your hands’. Whatever the consequences are, I will deal with it. Every day is a new day for renewal. Every day is a new day for living, loving, laughing and just enjoying life.”