Photography: Elise Scott / Styling: Bea + Co
Cradled by a glorious garden on an expansive 1600 square metres of land, this Melbourne home has undergone a beautifully considered transformation since the owners purchased it in 2021. And for this, the couple pay tribute to the talents of interior designer Jessica Viscarde.
When Jessica met the owners, the home was calling for a fresh new chapter, distinct from its beginnings in the 1890s. “The initial brief described a desire for a warm and comfortable, crisp and eclectic home, while honouring the heritage of the grand old abode,” says Jessica. “The owners wanted a home that included tasteful additions of colour and pattern. We were conscious of not overtly modernising the interiors, yet breathing new life into the home in a contemporary way.”
Who lives here?
A couple, their two teenage sons, plus Smokey the cat and Badger the Groodle.
Favourite place for me-time? Homeowner: “The lounge room that opens up to the alfresco deck. It’s so beautiful to sit there with the bi-fold doors open on a summer’s morning or a warm evening.”
How did you choose the lighting? “Jess put us in touch with Mint Lighting Design and they were incredible. So much thought and effort went into planning where the lighting would go and what it would be. That meant we ended up with a much more nuanced outcome.”
What’s the history of your home? “Our understanding is that the house first belonged to a local politician in the 1890s. Hopefully, he would like what we’ve done!”
Over the ensuing months, Jessica transformed the front formal living area into a luxe master suite, while a rear addition was constructed containing a north-facing open-plan kitchen and living domain at ground level, with two new bedrooms and a bathroom above. Paying great attention to detail, she ensured the design deftly straddled the decades by meticulously marrying old with new.
“For a seamless flow from the existing front to the new extension at the rear, we custom-stained on-site the Baltic pine flooring to achieve a smoked aged-oak effect,” explains Jessica. “We also reinstated the fretwork in the hallway, which made such a difference, as it follows on from the home’s facade. In the extension, the skirting and architraves were all matched to those in the original wing. It was integral to get these elements right.”
Kitchen
Then, of course, there are those distinctive pops of blue and green, brought to enchanting life in everything from the inky cabinetry in the kitchen to the indigo and pebble-hued wallpaper in the powder room and the petrol-green boucle sofas in the core chill-out area.
This home offers its family decorative opportunities to express their personalities and interests. “There is so much open shelving in the home, which gives an immediate sense of casualness,” says Jessica. “This was something that was important in the design brief. We wanted to create a lived-in feel through the layering of the owners’ keepsakes and curios.”
We love… display shelving
“Our intention was always for the kitchen to have a contemporary yet casual feel that makes cooking and entertaining a breeze.”
– Jessica, interior designer
Living area
“I love the sense of scale in this room and how inviting it feels with the open shelving and the fireplace,” says Jessica. The sumptuous custom sofas upholstered in Zepel Fabrics ‘Fontaine’ in Petrol are favourite spots for family time.
“I like the warmth that the open display shelving gives. It brings the areas to life.”
– Homeowner
Dining room
Classic style is celebrated in the formal dining space with a vintage rug from Hali Rugs, an existing chandelier and the homeowners’ long-held custom dining setting.
Powder room
One of Jessica’s favourite spots is the powder room. “Our clients’ heirloom mirror was a lovely personal touch, and we switched to brass fittings in this space for something different. There’s nothing wrong with mixing metal finishes, as long as you do it thoughtfully,” says Jessica.
Main bedroom and ensuite
“The main bedroom has a sense of understated grandness, thanks to the tall ceilings and beautiful leadlight windows,” says Jessica. The interior designer reupholstered the couple’s existing bedhead in Zepel Fabrics ‘Recharge’ in Teal – a decor standout against walls painted in Dulux Highgate.
On the bed is a flax linen coverlet in Petrol from Bed Threads, striped European pillowcases from Sheet Society and a cushion from Tigger Hall Design.
With its warm yet neutral palette, the couple’s ensuite has a serene softness, with large-format tiles from Tiento lining the walls and floor.
Glass Orb wall sconces from Creative Lighting Solutions illuminate the custom Polytec ‘Ascot’ vanity in Gossamer White, which was topped in Caesarstone Statuario Maximus.
As for the couple, they couldn’t be happier with their wonderfully layered and inviting family home.
“This is certainly the place we see ourselves living in for the next 20-plus years,” says the homeowner. “It’s perfect for us.”
Interior design: Eclectic Creative, eclecticcreative.com.au.
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Lighting design: Mint Lighting Design, (03) 9555 2275, mintlighting.com.au.
