Deco divine Old and new
A WHOLE-HOME RENOVATION YIELDS A REFINED ENSUITE WHICH NODS TO THE PAST AND PRESENT
The empty-nester owners of this 1930s home in Melbourne’s inner suburbs were ready to renovate, and their goal was to restore the spirit of the home’s original Art Deco style. “The house had undergone renovations in the 1960s and 1990s which removed many of the original features,” says interior designer Christopher Elliott. “The brief was to reintroduce a deco sensibility in a contemporary way.” Christopher devised a striking new scheme and oversaw the complete interior re-fit that spanned three years. Restrained luxury and enduring quality were key requirements in every space, including the ensuite – a long, narrow space that runs off the main bathroom. “We had to make sure the shower was adequately sized and didn’t restrict the flow within the space,” says Christopher. “We also kept the palette refined, with a mix of soft blue and grey punctuated by black and warmed with ribbed-oak joinery which references deco-inspired patterns.” Rather than standard wall tiles, large slabs of Alba marble from Artedomus envelop walls and provide a seamless finish across the custom floating vanity. The home’s double-helix circular staircase also prompted the inclusion of rounded forms, from a custom vanity mirror to a Flos pendant from Euroluce and a brushed-brass ‘Split Tube’ downlight from Est Lighting. “Incorporating an iconic deco shape was an effective way to pay homage to the home’s heritage, while feeling modern,” says Christopher. For the homeowners, the new look combines the best of both eras – contemporary luxury matched with deco appeal.