Sweet disposition Timeless style meets Scandi sensibility

TRUE TO ITS OWNERS’ BRIEF, THIS REBORN FAMILY HOME MARRIES TIMELESS STYLE WITH A SCANDI SENSIBILITY – AND PERFECTLY PLACED SPLASHES OF COLOUR

For Christine and Richard, home is a place to retreat and relax, as well as recharge, with their three daughters, Charlotte, Olivia and Pippa. Today, their lovingly restored period abode in Melbourne’s leafy inner south-east delivers on all counts. The sublime setting is also the perfect showcase for the family’s cherished collection of locally designed furnishings, including the piece fondly dubbed Christine’s “fourth child” – the Jardan ‘Wilfred’ sofa in beguiling navy that takes centrestage in the home’s living room. “Most of the pieces in the home are ones we will have for a very long time,” says Christine. “We’re not gatherers of possessions – everything has been bought with a view that it will be here until it breaks and simply cannot be fixed or repaired.”

With its handsome heritage features, the home is, in itself, a lesson in graceful longevity. Not that the couple were enamoured with everything about it when they moved in 12 years ago. “The house had undergone a minor renovation in the ’80s, with peach carpet, peach vertical blinds and lots of exposed timber architraves,” recalls Christine. “Our ensuite had maroon tiles to the ceiling and a cream bidet we only ever used for storing sports gear!”

Back then, the couple added a rear extension that today houses an airy open-plan kitchen and living room, but Christine and Richard knew they would one day revamp the entire home. When that day came, KK Architecture reconfigured a more functional internal layout and Mil Constructions took charge of the 10-month build.

Meanwhile, Christine and Richard called on interior decorator Sarah Elshaug of The Retreat Stylist to help create an interior scheme the whole family would love. >

“WE LOVE NATURAL PRODUCTS AND TEXTURES THAT warmth HAVE AND A TIMELESS LOOK” ~ CHRISTINE

“Both the family’s lifestyle and the layout of the house lent itself beautifully to the Scandi ethos,” explains Sarah. “I knew from the start that this project would be about picking beautiful but restrained finishes and creating wow factor with a few unexpected details and colour choices.” Against the home’s timeless base palette of crisp whites and organic timbers and stone, the carefully considered highlights of deep navy, emerald green, misty grey and soft pink truly bring the home into its own. “Seeing loved pieces in a new light just adds to the feeling of comfort and luxury in these renewed spaces,” says the interior decorator.

With the renovation behind them, the family has well and truly settled into their reborn abode. Their lovingly chosen pieces are also right at home. “Wilfred is definitely here to stay,” says Christine, laughing. “He’s not going anywhere – and neither are we. This is a home that is continuing to grow with us as a family.” MAIN BEDROOM Overlooking the garden, the couple’s bedroom (top left & opposite) offers rest, with Storm Cloud ‘1’ and ‘2’ photo prints by Katie Carmichael setting a dreamy theme. “You do get lost in these images,” says Christine. A leather ‘Kent’ bench seat from Barnaby Lane injects warmth, propped against the bed layered with Cultiver linen and a throw from Adairs. BATHROOMS In the girls’ bathroom (top right), a grey terrazzo benchtop from Signorino Tile Gallery is flanked by large-format tiles in Steel from G-Lux and Amano square tiles in Musk. “When Sarah showed us the beautiful terrazzo, we both said, ‘Wow!’” says Christine. The grey mood extends to the family bathroom (left), where ‘Liquid Glass’ subway tiles from Perini Tiles encase the feature wall.

“SARAH WORKED WITH EACH OF THE GIRLS WHEN IT CAME colours TO CHOOSING AND PIECES FOR THEIR BEDROOMS” ~ CHRISTINE

PIPPA’S ROOM

“The iron bed belonged to

Pippa’s great-grandmother,” says Christine of the heirloom that inspired the decor in Pippa’s stylish room (opposite & right). “We had it refurbished and repainted in emerald green. We wanted a vibrant colour for an eight-year-old that wasn’t pink!” The ‘Belle’ pendant in Jade from The Family Love Tree, the Baltic velvet custom window seat and loose cushion from Zepel and Inform Upholstery are in keeping with the highlight hue. Jimmy Cricket ‘Seeds’ wallpaper creates a feature wall behind Pippa’s antique bed, dressed in a custom hand-printed ‘Cloudy’ quilt cover by Little Louli. Other pretty touches include a ‘Numero 74’ star cushion sourced from Mondocherry, and a W&V swing shelf from Kiss With Style.

ENSUITE

Christine and Richard’s ensuite (top left) has a curvaceous duo of Roca Inspira basins and a terrazzo vanity top from Signorino Tiles. Ross Gardam ‘Flare’ wall lights in Brushed Copper are matched with stylish Astra Walker copper tapware. The overarching look is functional and glamorous.

CHARLOTTE’S ROOM

“Charlotte has loved and collected all things fox-related for many years, so we had to keep a ‘little fox’ in the new makeover,” says Christine, referencing the framed fox print (from unknown supplier) on the Dulux Blue Balm bedroom wall (top right). Two framed prints – ‘Ikaros’ and ‘Summer Pink’ by Magdalena Tyboni – from Norsu Interiors enhance the sleep zone’s magical feel. An Adairs ‘Newport’ chunky knit throw in Dusty Pink and Closely Knit ‘Soleil’ white pom pom cushion from Norsu Interiors create a soft-as-clouds effect, while the ‘Florence’ pendant from The Family Love Tree adds charm. >

LIGHT & BREEZY With its gorgeous blend of timeless Scandi chic and warm pops of colour, Christine and Richard’s weatherboard cottage in inner Melbourne has been transformed into a dream home for the couple and their three daughters, Charlotte, 13, Olivia, 11, and Pippa, eight. An expanse of glass and bright white walls in the airy living zones, including the northfacing family room (pictured), maximises a sense of light and space. The home has many treasured furnishings, such as the Jardan ‘Wilfred’ clover wool sofa in Nigella Seed, the Sketch ‘Nysse’ occasional chairs in Natural/Dove from Globe West and the ‘Reuben’ marble and oak nesting coffee tables by Arthur G. The Hay ‘Strap Mirror’ hanging above the fireplace was found at Cult. >

LIVING ROOM Claiming pride of place above a ‘Marius’ sideboard in Grey and Oak, the ‘Sapphire & Gold Hills’ painting by local artist – and family friend – Antoinette Ferwerda is a favourite (above). “Our middle daughter fell in love with this piece, as it reminded her of surfboards standing in the sand at the beach!” says Christine. The sweet ‘Haus’ and ‘Mr Potts’ and ‘Mrs Potts’ vases were found at Kiss With Style, while the plush ‘Magic’ rug in Storm is from The Rug Collection.

KITCHEN AND DINING Interior decorator Sarah Elshaug of The Retreat Stylist introduced the stunning glazed pendants (above) from Mark Douglass Design in Steel Blue, Aubergine and Clear, along with the retro penny round mosaic tiles in Indigo from Byzantine Design that line the splashback. “The minute Sarah showed them to us, we knew they were the ones,” says Christine. A trio of ‘Dita’ stools in Navy and White from Grazia & Co draw the home’s favoured accent colour into the cooking zone, too. Centred by a bespoke oak table from Arthur G, and ‘Boston’ leather chairs in Rose Blush from Barnaby Lane, the designated dining zone adjacent to the kitchen flows through into the outdoor area (below), where the family (pictured from left Pippa, Christine, Richard, Olivia and Charlotte) love to gather for meals and play.

FLOOR PLAN

EXTERIOR Charlotte (pictured from left), Olivia and Pippa take time out on the steps of the period home, its exterior painted in Resene Friar Grey. Behind the magnolias, a glorious weeping cherry tree keeps guard over the home and offers lush shade throughout the warmer months. “I fell in love with this tree the moment I saw it,” recalls Christine. “It’s such a prolific grower and I do feel it brings the home privacy and protection.”