Photography: Mindi Cooke
A renovation in Melbourne, overseen by a Gold Coast-based interior designer, while the owners are temporarily living in New York sounds like a recipe for disaster.
But this four-bedroom Edwardian beauty was seamlessly transformed for Danica and Sean, and their children, Cameron, 16, Cavanagh, six, and Cohen, two. “If there were hiccups, I didn’t know about them,” says Danica.
The odds were in their favour, as interior designer Donna Guyler meticulously planned her schemes before anyone could say ‘demo’, and the builder, Original Projects, was solutions-focused. “They just got the job done,” says Danica. Having collaborated with Donna on previous projects, such as their Mornington Peninsula weekender, engaging her again was a no-brainer for the couple.
“Donna understands us, we like her style and she’s flexible,” says Danica. “She managed the entire renovation process for us so effortlessly.”
Drive behind the design
In 2022, Danica and Sean were determined to secure a place in Melbourne before they moved to the Big Apple for a year. Drawn to one particular neighbourhood’s tree-lined streets, as well as its proximity to the city, airport and beach, they bid on a renovated house at auction… and lost.
“The price just blew out,” recalls Danica. “Then this home became available, just around the corner. It had the same floor plan as the first house with a good block size, and it was a blank canvas. We were so excited to make this home our own.”
The kitchen Joinery is painted in Taubmans Crisp White and Dulux Guild Grey, teaming with splashbacks and benchtops in Santo Blue dolomite from CDK Stone. The space is lit by a trio of ‘Celeste’ pendants by Ivory & Deene and Visual Comfort Aerin ‘Fontaine’ sconces from Bloomingdales Lighting. Oz Design ‘Tamba’ stools tone with the island’s timber edge profile and arch.
The palette
Kitchen joinery in
Taubmans, Crisp White
Benchtops in
Santo Blue dolomite, CDK Stone
Kitchen joinery in
Dulux, Guild Grey
Engineered timber flooring in
White Smoked, Woodcut
“The unique mirrored panelling behind the banquette reflects the garden beautifully,” says Donna of the dining area. There’s loads of seating at the ‘Benjamin Ripple’ dining table from Globe West, with Satara ‘Chris’ chairs and a banquette in Warwick ‘Benito’ fabric in Ivory.
Planning process
Danica and Sean originally envisioned adding a second level, fourth bedroom, powder room and butler’s pantry, while creating a more functional main bedroom suite. Rounding out their wishlist were a pool and sizeable alfresco zone with a built-in outdoor kitchen, as the couple love to entertain. But in July 2023, after a year of design and development, they scrapped their plan to build up. Heritage restrictions and a costly DA process were consuming time; they had hoped their renovation would be finished before they’d moved to, and ultimately returned from, New York. Instead, they opted to work mostly within the existing single-level envelope.
Budget breakdown
“The biggest cost saving was pivoting from a two-storey house,” says Sean of their decision. “We had a $2 million budget for the renovation and fitout, which was achieved with this change.” While the original vision shifted, it also let the couple work within their designated budget and, in many ways, delivered a more considered long-term outcome. Money aside, Sean and Danica love cosy and connected spaces. “We want to be together when we’re home,” explains Danica. Relinquishing the second storey also future-proofed the house. “Ultimately, if this is our forever home, we might not want to walk upstairs when we’re older,” says Sean.
Chequerboard floor tiles seamlessly link the laundry and butler’s pantry, where the upper cabinets are in Haymes Spiritual and lower cabinets are in Benjamin Moore Raintree Green, with ‘Kia’ handles from Passio Interiors. The benchtop is Caesarstone Alpine Mist.
The bedlinen and rug, both Weave Home, layer beautifully with cushions from Living By Design and Tonic Living. A Mario Stefanelli artwork from Fineprintco graces Porter’s Paints Interno Lime Wash walls in Washed Linen.
“The house is just spacious enough and the flow is energetically beautiful.”
Danica, homeowner
In Danica and Sean’s ensuite, the vanity features Farmers Doors ‘Polo Reeded’ fronts in Porter’s Paints Bacio and ‘Freya’ knobs in Bronze from Passio Interiors. Brodware ‘Manhattan’ tapware in Durobrite Chrome picks up hues in the Smartstone vanity top and Astro ‘Versailles 370’ wall light from Enlightened Living.
Special features
Despite undergoing previous renovations, the existing house had “hints of delicious, decorative architectural details,” says Donna. “Ceiling roses, cornices, mantles, stained glass – but the cornices, for example, were different from room to room.” This lack of cohesion was addressed by restoring many of the characterful finishes of a 1920s luxury home and adding Shaker-style joinery, wainscotting and wall sconces. Oceanic blues bring colour to the kitchen and study, while traditional marble and limestone chequerboard tiles infuse the entrance and laundry with a sense of history. With the design details bedded down, Donna and her team also procured everything a young family would need in a breezy, beautiful inner-city home – leaving no detail overlooked. “Pillows, bedding, bath towels, washing up detergent, washing up gloves, coffee machine pods, milk – you name it,” she recalls. “It was the unquestionable definition of a turnkey project. Exhausting but very satisfying!” When the family saw their elevated Edwardian for the first time after returning straight from the airport with their suitcases in hand, they were floored. “I bawled my eyes out,” says Danica with a smile. “It felt like home instantly.”
‘Lunar’ bed bases by AH Beard share the side table and a Canvas + Sasson lamp in Cohen’s sleepover-ready bedroom. The bedding is from My Linen and Target, with Walter G, Eadie Lifestyle and Macey & Moore cushions. Underfoot, Feltex ‘Stonefields’ carpet in Cotswold Stone adds extra cosiness.
Pink leather panels of ‘Club 8713’ wallpaper by Casadeco pop against the Porter’s Paints French Green walls in the powder room. The Design Palette supplied the ‘Notre Dame Botticino’ mosaics.
Lessons learnt
Be flexible, and bigger isn’t always better, offers Sean. “The decision to not build up was one of the best we made,” he says, proving that thoughtful restraint often leads to better outcomes. Danica advises using an interior designer, budget permitting. “If design is not your wheelhouse or you’re feeling lost, an interior designer adds a lot of value to a home.”
The joinery in Sean’s office is painted in Haymes Paint Greyology, and features Gregory Croxford Living double diamond grilles. A soft Roman blind crafted from Warwick Linia ‘Boracay’ fabric in Gunmetal adds texture with a Lifely armchair.
Communication, says Donna, is also key – especially when all parties are scattered across the globe: “The builders would FaceTime us regularly!” The combined efforts have elevated this home in every way and Danica says they can’t imagine ever selling their exquisitely reinvented Melbourne residence. “Hopefully, it will stay in our family for generations.”
Source book – your trusted directory to help you find the best team to help create your dream home
Architecture: Point Architects, pointarchitects.com.au
Interior design: Donna Guyler Design, donnaguyler.com
Builder: Original Projects, originalprojects.com.au
Joinery: Oakwood, oakwoodcabinetry.com.au
Landscaping: Penny Starr Design, pennystarrdesign.com.au
Be the first to read this story by subscribing to Home Beautiful magazine
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
