Georgianinspired elegance
Painstaking attention to detail has gone into this stunning home, writes Donna Fleming
It comes as no surprise, when you’ve seen Ton and Michelle van der Veer’s house, to learn what they do for a living. Ton is a window dresser and stylist. Michelle has a business importing and distributing homewares. They both have a passion for home design, which is evident in every room of the beautifully restored masonry villa.
“We have got complementary skills,” says Michelle. “I’m good at the actual design and looking at how things are going to be built. I designed the kitchen and worked out the layout of all the cupboards.
“Ton is very good at the styling — he’s got great vision. And somehow it all comes together.”
They’ve combined their skills to create a home that’s glossy- magazine stylish, but also practical, comfortable and perfect for family living. Their goal was to preserve period features and make the house, which dates back to around 1915, feel as authentic as possible while still being suitable for 21st- century living.
Inspired by elegant Georgian homes, along with French provincial style, Michelle wanted a house that was classic and timeless, and she and Ton have certainly achieved that. They’ve paid incredible attention to detail — even adding Georgian- style decorative architraves to doorways.
When they bought the double bay villa 11 years ago, parts were rotten and needed to be replaced or re- built. “We were told to have no more than three people on the deck at a time or it would collapse,” recalls Michelle.
One of the biggest jobs was putting in a new kitchen and conservatory dining room. Michelle had the kitchen tailor- made by a carpenter who “sang from the same song sheet as us” and the stone bench tops and Cape Cod- style cabinetry complement the exposed- brick walls. There’s a big enamel sink, plenty of storage space and a beer fridge concealed among the cupboards.
The new deck is sturdy and spacious, and gets the sun for most of the day. It’s also the ideal spot to enjoy sunsets. Meanwhile, a paved area at the front of the house, surrounded by the landscaped garden, is also great for al fresco dining.
Inside, the layout is flexible. There are two main living areas — one by the kitchen, and a sitting/ TV room at the front of the house — but they also have a third area they use as a music room.
When Michelle ran her business from home, this room and the adjoining guest bedroom made up her office and storage space. They could easily both be bedrooms, office space or a lounge and bedroom for extended family or a nanny.
Sons Matisse and Laurent have generously sized bedrooms on the main level, while the entire upper floor is a haven for grown- ups. Along with an enormous master bedroom, there is an en suite bathroom and huge dressing room.
“It is such a luxury to have this space — I’m very lucky,” says Michelle.
There is also a small office, which was used as a nursery when the boys were babies.
Meanwhile storage is not a problem — as well as cupboards tucked into the eaves of the master bedroom there are his and hers walk- in- wardrobes and access to attic storage.
6
62 GARNET RD, WESTMERE SIZE: PRICE GUIDE: AUCTION: INSPECT:
2
SCHOOLS: CONTACT: ON THE WEB:
Another room on the basement level was used as a bedroom by older son Dominique when he still lived at home. It would also be a great gym, playroom or man cave.
The room that really shows off the couple’s creative flair is the main bathroom. A stunning copper bath, tasteful decorative tiles and a marbletopped vanity unit are complemented by walls painted by artist Ross Lewis to look like aged concrete.
“It is a bit of a talking point — everyone comments on it,” says Michelle.
They expected the house to be their forever home because they not only love the building but also the location close to schools, parks, shops, cafes, beaches, the city and major transport routes.
But they’ve decided to sell up to put some cash into Michelle’s business, and to also take on another renovation. “We really enjoyed doing this house, and we would love to do it again,” she says.