Home Beautiful

Worth the wait The realisatio­n of a long-held dream comes to life

THIS BEAUTIFULL­Y REIMAGINED HOME IN BAYSIDE MELBOURNE IS THE REALISATIO­N OF A LONG-HELD DREAM

- STORY JACKIE BRYGEL STYLING BECK SIMON PHOTOGRAPH­Y DEREK SWALWELL

Time and time again, a 14-year-old Tina would find herself walking past one of the most distinctiv­e homes in the neighbourh­ood, imagining the world of inspired surprises that surely lay beyond its front door. Perched on the southernmo­st tip of one of Melbourne’s prettiest waterfront precincts, the multi-level concrete property with its sharp angles and curved glass walls left an indelible impression on the young high school student. “I grew up a few streets away, so I used to come down and sketch the home,” recalls Tina. “It just seemed so different to all other homes in the area.” As the decades came and went, Tina became a renowned building designer who continued to call the suburb home. Yet, she was never able to stop thinking about the area’s iconic abode – built in the early 1980s, but well ahead of its time. Three years ago, the property finally came onto the market. But sadly, it wasn’t to be for Tina and her husband Lee. “We did try to buy it at the auction, but ended up being the underbidde­rs on the day,” says Lee. “It was just out of our reach.” “That was the first time I saw the home internally; it was quite different to how I’d imagined it,” adds Tina. “There was a sunken lounge on the ground level and tiled floors upstairs, but there was so much I loved about it. It’s such a solid house.”

“I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED right here – I DON’T NEED TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE”~ TINA

Two years later, the home was once again calling for new owners. Almost on a whim, Tina and Lee decided to attend the auction. This time, fate was on their side. “It was very spontaneou­s,” says Tina. “We were going for a drive and came to the auction on the way. We didn’t have any plans. But I’m a pretty motivated person and thought, ‘If we don’t do it now, we’ll never get it. We have to make it happen!’” Lee was impressed by her tenacity. “Tina suddenly said, ‘I’m not missing out again’ when we arrived here, so she put in the first bid and knocked everyone out,” he recalls. “It was amazing.” Finally, Tina could call her dream home their own. Then, it was time to transform it into her ultimate vision of style and functional­ity. She redesigned the galley-style kitchen, along with the lush alfresco domain, which now features a wall of breeze blocks. On the upper level, what was once a home office is today a beautiful bar and entertaini­ng area. Expansive full-height glazing now lets the sea and sunshine into the home, with views of the stunning natural setting rightfully claiming centrestag­e in the living zones. Tina decided to keep key organic materials such as concrete, marble and American oak uniform throughout, with additional warmth, colour and texture delivered through walls of ebony cabinetry, beautiful furnishing­s and treasured artworks. “This is now the home’s second major transforma­tion,” she says. “I hope we’ve done it justice.” Certainly, she has no regrets. “I always thought I would love to live in this house, and I was right,” she says.

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?? ?? KITCHEN Lining the splashback of the kitchen (below left), textured Prima Materia ‘Cenere Mosaici’ tiles from Disegno Casa contribute an organic feel. A duo of custom-made Qasair rangehoods is complement­ed by the ‘Axis’ track light found at Lights & Tracks. Connected to the island, a cantilever­ed table (below right), surrounded by Billiani ‘Doll’ chairs, is ideal for casual meals. Fornasetti plates on the wall serve as artwork.
KITCHEN Lining the splashback of the kitchen (below left), textured Prima Materia ‘Cenere Mosaici’ tiles from Disegno Casa contribute an organic feel. A duo of custom-made Qasair rangehoods is complement­ed by the ‘Axis’ track light found at Lights & Tracks. Connected to the island, a cantilever­ed table (below right), surrounded by Billiani ‘Doll’ chairs, is ideal for casual meals. Fornasetti plates on the wall serve as artwork.
?? ?? ENTRY Designed by Tina, the front door made by Touchwood Windows and Doors in European Oak stained in Resene Sheer Black works in perfect harmony with the oversized handle from Auburn Woodturnin­g.
ENTRY Designed by Tina, the front door made by Touchwood Windows and Doors in European Oak stained in Resene Sheer Black works in perfect harmony with the oversized handle from Auburn Woodturnin­g.
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?? ?? HALLWAY Sisal carpet from Floorspace provides softness underfoot on the stairs and along the hallway for Lee and Bella the cavoodle (top right), while walls clad in exposed Austral Masonry ‘Standard Grey Blocks’ continue a sense of textural interest throughout. DOWNSTAIRS LIVING ROOM “This is such a cosy space to chat, with a view to the parkland and bay,” says Tina of the downstairs living room (right). By the window, a ‘Bali’ armchair from Poliform beckons, while statement-making ‘Super Grey’ marble from Signorino Tile Gallery encases the fireplace surround, lending a luxurious feel.
HALLWAY Sisal carpet from Floorspace provides softness underfoot on the stairs and along the hallway for Lee and Bella the cavoodle (top right), while walls clad in exposed Austral Masonry ‘Standard Grey Blocks’ continue a sense of textural interest throughout. DOWNSTAIRS LIVING ROOM “This is such a cosy space to chat, with a view to the parkland and bay,” says Tina of the downstairs living room (right). By the window, a ‘Bali’ armchair from Poliform beckons, while statement-making ‘Super Grey’ marble from Signorino Tile Gallery encases the fireplace surround, lending a luxurious feel.
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