- Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Three best friends share this tastefully-decorated house of five bedrooms in Gore Tuca, Braeton.

Friends Andrea Christie, Ella Flemming and Shamall Graham have taken the concept 'best friends' to another level.

The women, who have been close for over 20 years and who have been living together in a large five-bedroom house in Gore Tuca, Braeton, Portmore, since 2000, have also poured their resources into decorating their rented home together.

Their landlord, Shamall's grandmother, has given them carte blanche to improve the property and they have done so with style.

The October women (born October 10, 11 and 12) get along so well that they possess one mind when it comes to decorating their home.

The brightly-painted porch with its collection of plants and handmade 'welcome' sign opens to an entryway to the living room with its signature table, plants and mirror.

The living room, painted in 'Stewart gold' is filled with handmade drapes.

The drapes have been literally made by hand by Andrea Christie who also did most of the sewing, down to even the tassels which she also selected herself.

The living room chairs are luxurious and filled with cushions.

Nearby is the powder room, rarely used but prettily kept.

The painting throughout the house was done by the young women. The ground floor which includes three bedrooms, a dining room and the kitchen testifies throughout to good taste.

The stairwell leading to the second floor and other areas have been used to display the friends' large selection of collectibles. A vodka bottle with its lable removed sits in one enclave.

"We also collect bowls or shells and put plants in them," Andrea says. Shamall specialises in picture frames and crystals.

Shamall, who often travels, rarely comes back home without something to add to the 'nest'.

Andrea who watches Home and Garden TV likes to make what she sees.

The house has five bedrooms and the girls admit, "It took us a while to get it right."

Shamall and Andrea collect and decorate. Ella is a cleaning machine who has to be restrained from dusting and cleaning every day.

The young ladies share the home with two children - 18 month-old Shrijani, who is Shamall's daughter, and seven-year-old Shyeme who is the nephew of Andrea Christie.

Andrea, a registered nurse, Shamall, an insurance underwriter, and Ella, who is a pastry decorator, say they are very happy living together.

Outlook Team