A Victorian beachside house built from scratch

Outdoor types are well catered for at Carole and Barrie’s coastal Victorian home, which they currently share with daughter Prue and her husband. The pool area features a spotted gum deck, furnished with a Tribu outdoor setting from Cosh Living. A five-metre Manchurian Pear hedge gives the pool and garden absolute privacy. The pool house doubles as a studio for artist Prue but it is also where the family loves to entertain.

Prue’s artwork Neon Farm is the focal point of the dining area. The painting was the feature piece in one of Prue’s exhibitions in Melbourne. “It fits the space and colour palette so well,” says Carole. The painting is the perfect foil to the clean modern lines of the classic dining table and Poliform ‘Fly Tre’ dining chairs. For lighting, the couple chose an eyecatching timber ply pendant; try Lumera Living for a range of timber pendants. A Poliform ‘Bali’ chair draped in a reindeer hide from Great Dane Furniture and a replica Eero Saarinen ‘Tulip’ side table from Matt Blatt form a cosy corner. Carole created a chic vignette on the table with an Iggy & Lou Lou vase from the Outre Gallery, and amber vessels from Duck’s Nest in Geelong.

Contact: Prudence Caroline, greenhouseinteriors.com.au

With its glossy Essastone island bench, Bertoia wire bar stools from Dedece and one of Prue’s artworks as decoration, the open-plan kitchen is a visual feast. The space is kept light and neutral with a mix of stainless-steel appliances and cabinetry by Laminex.

Carole’s carefully curated possessions are displayed on streamlined ‘Sintesi’ cabinetry from Poliform. A white leather chair by Arflex, black Poliform rug and a Missoni ottoman from Spence & Lyda continue the monochromatic scheme.

Carole has collected Dinosaur Designs pieces for many years and displays them here on a walnut sideboard from Great Dane Furniture. Propped against the wall is a painting by Josh Gurrie, purchased at an exhibition 11 years ago.

In the intimate sitting room, a painting by Anthony Breslin forms a dramatic backdrop to an original Marcel Breuer tan leather ‘Wassily’ chair and a cowhide from Kyo.

A black pure wool carpet (try Carpet Court) makes a dramatic base for statement bedlinen. The bed is dressed with kohl and saffron pure linen bedlinen by Bedouin Societe. “It’s extravagant, but once you have slept on pure linen you never want to go back,” says Carole. Bright pops of colour are added with a super soft blanket by Danish brand Lucky
Boy Sunday and cushions by Bonnie & Neil, all found at The Assembly Hall.

In keeping with the graphic decor in the rest of the home, Prue covered her bed in an Aura By Tracie Ellis blanket, plus a graphite and white reversible quilt. A pop of bright colour is added courtesy of a yellow cushion by Scholten & Baijings, available from Corporate Culture. The floor lamp was found at Duck’s Nest in Geelong.