H2HB: Home For Christmas
Whether she’s setting the table in glorious festive style, or adorning the family’s tree with cherished ornaments, each of which tell a story, interior stylist Aimee is in her element come Christmas time. To the mother-of-two, there really is something wonderfully magical about the Yuletide celebrations. “I’m such a huge fan of Christmas,” she says. “I loved it so much as a child, and now I enjoy sharing that enthusiasm and excitement with my own kids.”
Happily for Aimee and her husband Frank, along with their adorable youngsters, son Leo, four, and two-year-old daughter Rosie, this Christmas is set to be among their most memorable. The young family have just moved into their new two-storey home by the bay in Melbourne – in perfect time for all the seasonal festivities. “It really is wonderful to be here for Christmas,” says Aimee. “We can’t wait to have family over on the day.”
During the past six months, Home Beautiful has followed the personal home journey of Archer Interiors stylist Aimee and builder Frank, who runs building company Thomas Archer Homes with business partner Matt Daly. Now the home is ready to be unveiled, the couple are brimming with excitement. “It’s been amazing watching the house built from the ground up, and we couldn’t be happier with the way it has turned out,” says Aimee.
Bathed in beautiful light, with soaring ceilings and super-chic finishes and furnishings that are not only luxe, but also focus on family practicality, Aimee and Frank’s home truly shines. A spacious entry with a sunken lounge to one side leads directly into the living space, kitchen and an alfresco zone framed by greenery. A teal-tinged pool wraps invitingly around the side of the home, while vivid large-scale works by the couple’s favourite artists infuse the home with further life and colour.
Upstairs, connected by a central chill-out space, are Aimee and Frank’s suite at one end, and the children’s rooms and guest suite at the other. “I went for quite a minimal aesthetic throughout, with lots of greys and strong elements of black,” explains Aimee. “I really wanted a home that felt very architectural – modern and contemporary – because that’s the style we like. But it also needed to feel warm and welcoming.”
For Aimee, working on the home has been a joy, although perhaps more challenging than the seasoned stylist had initially anticipated. “It’s a lot harder doing your own home – it’s much easier to make decisions for other people,” she explains. “But it’s been incredibly satisfying seeing it all come to life, and we feel it really does reflect our style, as well as us as a family.”
With many of the trimmings already in place for Christmas, this new build already feels like a home. “I love hosting all the family and doing an Australian take on the traditional Christmas lunch,” says Aimee. There’s just one slight concern for little Leo and Rosie. “Coming from a much smaller place, they’re worried Santa won’t be able to find them in this house,” reveals their mum. “But I’ve assured them that won’t be the case!”
Watch the full House To Home Beautiful reveal here.
