Sweet surprise

Creating a sense of space was the key to this dwelling

EASY LIVING The modern sits easily with the traditional in Matthew and Catherine’s Melbourne home, which has been decorated over time – and with the couple’s three children, Clara, James and Patrick, in mind. Freedom sofas that have survived the baby and toddler years are paired with new pieces such as the ‘Tripod’ coffee table from Dwell in the living room. Even the floor covering – a wool flatweave ‘Subi’ rug from The Rug Collection – was a practical choice. “It’s comfort for my kids, who are often lying on the floor watching TV or doing homework, drawing or doing puzzles at the coffee table,” says Catherine, pictured opposite, with James, left, and Patrick.

WE LOVE... a feature picture window

White is alright, but black powder-coated aluminium proved to be a transformative choice in the modern back room of the home. “We’d seen so much white timber and not a lot of aluminium, so our architect had to convince me on the black,” says Catherine, “but I’m so glad we did it. It frames the garden perfectly.”

HALLWAY “The newer part of the house is Dulux White On White, but I didn’t feel comfortable doing these old, traditional rooms in a strong white,” says Catherine, who decided on Dulux White Duck for the front section (top left). The timber floorboards were in great shape – if a bit too orange for Catherine and Matthew’s taste. “We stripped them back and used a grey stain to tone down the orange,” says Catherine, who has hung a couple of inexpensive prints found on Etsy and two larger pieces from United Interiors to lift the simple palette. A ‘Stephanie’ face vase from Stone and Grain makes a chic addition on the coffee table (left).

KITCHEN Initially, Catherine had some trouble visualising the square island this kitchen needed, yet she and Matthew are thrilled with the result (below). “There’s a lot of bench space and you can have multiple people in the kitchen doing things at once,” she says. Masses of cabinetry in Dulux White On White 2-pac provide all the storage the family could wish for. The window splashback (opposite) is now one of the zone’s highlights, as is the butler’s pantry, which is this busy homeowner’s secret weapon: all that is visible from the main kitchen is a set of shelves in a timber-look laminate to echo the real timber veneer in the public spaces. Around the corner hides a second fridge, sink and less-than-chic appliances. “That’s where I have all the plastic lunch boxes, kids’ drink bottles sitting out to dry, the magnets and school notices on the fridge, microwave and those sorts of things,” explains Catherine.

“THE KITCHEN HAS amazing storage AND LOTS OF WORK SPACE – IT’S PERFECT FOR all of us TO BE IN, EATING, COOKING, CLEANING, TALKING” ~

CATHERINE

KITCHEN The snowy white of the kitchen (opposite) is broken up by shelves (left) in the same timber veneer used in the living room, and the subtle veins of the Calacatta marble benches. “It’s a bit high-maintenance, but I’ve learnt to relax with it,” says Catherine. “It’s such a beautiful material and because I wanted a white kitchen, it needed the warmth of the marble.” The timber veneer is continued in the handy butler’s pantry (top left).

DINING AREA With practicality and a budget in mind, the couple didn’t indulge in too many luxury extras, but the beautiful oak Mark Tuckey table (above) was an investment they were willing to make. “Because it’s such a big space, we decided to get a really big dining table to get the proportions right,” says Catherine, who has paired the piece with upholstered dining chairs from Globe West in a familyfriendly dark grey. A timber buffet from Clickon Furniture keeps the children’s favourite toys accessible yet out of sight.

“I HAVE LEARNT decorating A LOT ABOUT ALONG THE WAY BUT mistakes” I STILL MAKE ~

CATHERINE

FORMAL SITTING ROOM One sitting room (above) survived the rejig of the floor plan, and it now provides a spot for anyone seeking solitude, whether it’s to read in peace or to construct a giant Lego masterpiece. A coffee table from Globe West is framed by seating made by a local upholsterer when the family first moved into the house, while an artwork from United Interiors was a more recent addition. “I just needed a really big piece to give the room a lift,” says Catherine. Joinery was also added either side of the fireplace (right), supplying extra storage and ample display space for books and treasured objects. “It’s a very big room, so it can take it!”

ENSUITE The biggest change for the parents’ suite involved converting a small adjoining room into a walk-in robe and ensuite (top right). “After not having an ensuite for a good few years, that was lovely,” says Catherine. Glass mosaic tiles sourced from Signorino above the marble vanity are a point of difference from the look of the main bathroom. A large mirror, running the width of the room, makes the space feel larger.

MAIN BEDROOM

Period details and original leadlight windows are the key features in this bedroom, neatly dressed with linen from Sheridan and Provincial Home Living, and with an upholstered bedhead completing the look of understated luxury. Carpet was a must for Catherine. “I love carpeted bedrooms,” she says. “I’ve had both and I don’t think I could go back to floorboards in a bedroom.” Godfrey Hirst Waffle wool carpet in Fawn has a similar look to this. >

CLARA’S BEDROOM Walls in Dulux White Duck form a versatile base for Clara’s room, which at this point, is still pretty in pink. “I’m conscious that she’s getting to an age where she might want to move away from pink, but I love pink for girls,” says Catherine. Hiccups bedlinen fits the bill, accessorised by a tassel throw and rug, both from Kip & Co. The original fireplace surround (opposite) has been refreshed with white paint and now forms a picturesque perch for decorative pieces, including an Ikea strawberry print and an elephant painting by Catherine’s sister.

FAMILY BATHROOM Catherine splurged on a marble and 2-pac vanity, chosen to match the kitchen, but kept the rest of the fittings in the main bathroom simple and practical (above). Twin Caroma basins from Reece complete the vanity, while Catherine scouted Melbourne for just the right bath, a Moda ‘Mia’ freestanding model from ACS Designer Bathrooms. Neutral-toned porcelain tiles from National Tiles capture the fresh and clean look the couple desired, while a pendant light from About Space draws the eye upwards.

LAUNDRY The laundry almost didn’t get touched in the renovation (left). “It was done in the same apricot tones as the old kitchen, and at the last minute I decided I would regret leaving it unchanged,” says Catherine. Her joiner obliged with a bank of cabinetry in white laminate which, while simple, is a fresh and functional addition. >

“I WANTED THE biggest BATH I COULD bathe FIT TO ALL THE KIDS AT ONCE – IT WAS practical A CHOICE TO MAKE THINGS AS easy AS POSSIBLE kids WITH THE AT THAT TIME”~

CATHERINE

DECK Sliding doors connect the rear living areas with the deck, giving the family the sense of indoor-outdoor flow they craved. Built-in benches make the best use of the narrow space, which is framed in lush shrubbery. “We wanted a low-maintenance but green garden,” says Catherine, with Patrick (left), Clara and James. The bright cushions are from Freedom.

CONTACTS

Architect

Linda Simons, LSA architects,

(03) 9533 8633, ls-architects.com.au. Builder

Graeme George, Blackburn Constructions, 0418 541 704.