Many things prompt us to take stock, and for this Melbourne family, the Covid pandemic helped crystallise their desire to move out of suburbia and relocate to a leafy property where they could be closer to their large network of friends.
“We went from living on a 600-square-metre block, just a five-minute walk from the train station, to a five-acre block with pet sheep, so it was quite a change,” recalls the homeowner of their move in 2022.
The home has ornate features, with wainscoting and an impressive arch with decorative corbels in the entry. “These details made me think of old Parisian salons, but rather than define them in white, the intent was to make them feel less ‘fancy’ by colour drenching them in a soft pink wall colour,” says Carolyn.
It’s easy to see why the family fell in love with the address, nestled among the lush rolling green hills, established gardens and neighbouring vineyards. The home’s charming weatherboard exterior, deep verandahs and driveway flanked by cherry blossom trees also look straight out of a picture book.
“A guiding edict was that there be no ostentation or bling. Charm, patina and comfort were the goal.”
CAROLYN BURNS-McCRAVE, DESIGNER
Yet from the moment they bought the house, major interior changes were on the cards – to redesign the vast ‘rec room-style’ open layout and sea of white finishes.
Having previously worked with interior designer Carolyn Burns-McCrave, the family loved her grounded approach and vision to transform their vast white box into a warm and welcoming family home, sprinkled with moments of reveal and delight.
Several sofas and a coffee table from the owner’s previous home informed the colour scheme in this living area. A strip of Milton & King ‘Figs & Strawberries’ wallpaper in Powder Blue and Ochre wraps around the top of walls painted in Dulux Pinkham, which display artwork, including a collage print of the Royal Albert Hall.
The room’s varied layers include Jonathan Adler lamps, velvet fabric, a Sage x Clare statement cushion and an Adairs throw, coupled with gingham curtains sewn by the owner with fabric from Spotlight.
“We were instantly on the same page,” enthuses the owner, who connected with Carolyn’s design ethos to “go with what makes your heart happy”. As the homeowner explains of their hopes, “For us, it was all about creating a home where we felt relaxed, as did our friends when they visited. We wanted the kind of place where you walk in and feel you can plonk your bag anywhere.”
A major part of the redesign involved drawing natural light into the centre of the home, which Carolyn achieved by opening up the trussed ceiling above the dining area to form a soaring void, topped with skylights.
During the six-month redesign process, the first step involved reallocating sections of the expansive floor area to create more purposeful, intimate zones. “Within the original footprint, two offices were formed, with one serving as a work-from-home space and the other as an anteroom, which added privacy to the main bedroom,” outlines Carolyn. “The cavernous kitchen was completely reimagined to create a more convivial layout, complete with a meals-area banquette, while a powder room was expanded into a bathroom.”
Who lives here?
A family of five, their pet Beagle and a small flock of sheep.
Best renovating decision? Homeowner: “Engaging the CDI Construction team. Their attention to detail was excellent, they were polite and easy to work with. A good recommendation from our designer, Carolyn.”
Most treasured find? “The ‘Cambio’ light fittings from About Space over the dining room table. Friends have nicknamed them after the ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’.”
Favourite spot to spend time? “The kitchen dining nook. Dinner with the five of us at night in that space is a pleasure.”
Next on the renovating list? “Re-finishing the outside decking and then painting our other family room in Taubmans Husk Gold. It’s a bit out there, but why stop now!”
The original vast, white, glossy kitchen lacked functionality, as there was minimal storage and far too much space between benches to work comfortably. The solution was a complete reconfiguration, with the addition of more windows, a sizeable pantry, second oven and deliberate work zones for a crowd of helpers. The epicentre of the new-look space is an island bench swathed in peachy terrazzo from Fibonacci, with stools at one end. Cabinetry in Laminex French Navy underscores the zone, with a custom plate rack filled with vintage crockery, evoking classic country kitchen charm.
A staged approach, along with the home’s generous proportions, meant the family didn’t need to move out during the six-month renovation by CDI Constructions – they simply relocated to different zones, which made it easy to admire the steady progress.
“The terrazzo benchtops in the kitchen are just delicious.”
HOMEWONER
Guided by Carolyn’s advice to “use colour you feel good wearing,” inspiration for the interior palette came from fabric in a dress the owner had worked on as a sewing project 10 years ago, featuring splotches of navy blue, dark greens, pink and blush tones. “My client and I share an obsession with fabulously bold and patterned clothes and bedlinen, so it was easy to introduce strong colours and patterns,” says Carolyn. “We pushed each other, really, and it was a lot of fun.”
A love of French architecture and Parisian interiors, coupled with the home’s existing ornate features, also steered the design, which cohesively blends textural furnishings, sculptural lighting and flourishes of lively wallpaper that exude a European flavour.
The effect is a home filled with pockets of pure joy and from the moment you walk through the front door you want to absorb it all, from the Chinoiserie-patterned walls and ‘Mad Hatter-esque’ dining room pendant lights, to the vibrant red bathroom and cosy cafe-style kitchen nook.
Its feel-good effects are enjoyed by many, says the owner, who loves sharing their family home with friends. “We’ve had lots of celebrations here, including 21sts, 50ths and a 70th birthday, and our close friends had their wedding reception here, which was really special. And day to day, it’s perfect for the five of us.”
For Carolyn, the outcome couldn’t be more satisfying. “It’s a home that looks and feels like the family who lives there,” she says. “And I can honestly say this is one of the most special projects I have worked on in my almost 30 years of design.”
SOURCE BOOK – your trusted home directory >>
Interior design & building designer: Burns McCrave Design, burnsmccrave.com.au
Builder and building design: Life Home Builders, lifehomebuilders.com.au
Builder: CDI Constructions, 0418 348 474
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