Styling: Bea Lamobs | Photography: Martina Gemmola
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better case of ‘meant to be’ than that of this country home in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. Its owners, a well-travelled couple, were happily ensconced in their city lives, having just built a new home in Whittlesea, north-east of Melbourne.
But the pull of country life was calling to them and when this property came on the market just before Christmas 2018, they made a conditional offer. It was rejected and the property sold to someone else, but perhaps serendipitously, the sale fell through and the home returned to the market.
“In early December 2020, almost two years after we had first seen the property, and after it had been sold at least three times in between, we finally signed the contract of sale,” says the owner. “We loved the location. The 4.5-acre lake was a major drawcard, as were the views and the established trees planted across the property. The house had good bones and a reasonably functional layout. As soon as we set eyes on it, we had a clear vision for what it could become.”
A cheery Cadrys runner ties in with the ‘Prescott’ brass chandelier and mirror, both Boyd Blue. The Handvärk marble console from Fred International holds a Kelly Wearstler ‘Phoebe Stacked’ lamp from Bloomingdales Lighting. Walls are painted in Dulux Beige Royal double strength and ‘French Chateau’ engineered timber herringbone floors from Kustom Timber ground the interiors.
Built in the 1970s, the three-bedroom home was wrapped by a big verandah and equipped with generously sized rooms, with traditional gardens planted around a kidney-shaped pool. Having served as a wedding venue at some point in its past, the home had a large function room tacked onto the kitchen. “Our primary aim was to modernise the house and bring in more light, as it was very dark,” says the owner.
The couple knew just the person for the job. Interior designer Melissa Balzan is a close family friend and worked with them on their previous home, a contemporary Hamptons style build. “This project was quite different,” says Melissa. “This time they were ready to push the boundaries and be more confident in their design direction.”
The homeowners were clear from the outset that they didn’t want the house to feel too ‘country’ and Melissa agreed wholeheartedly. “Some of the original features of the home felt quite ‘pretty’ and I was keen to ground the house to give it more weight and substance,” she says. “The brief evolved into creating something distinctly Australian and a little unexpected, given its rural setting.”
Dark-stained herringbone floors, iron-framed windows, dramatic natural stone and thoughtfully selected wallpapers were introduced to bring depth and texture to each space, with a rich, earthy palette that ties it all together.
In the kitchen, a splashback in Cosmic Black granite is the star, offset by the island benchtop in Patagonia granite, both by Gladstones Granite & Marble. Walls in Dulux Beige Royal double strength warm the space with New Age Veneers ‘Navurban Diamond’ cabinetry in Nutgrove. Gaggenau appliances from Winnings ensure top-notch functionality, while a ‘Long John’ pendant over the island and ‘Lord Bouquet’ chandelier over the breakfast bar, both from Fred International, work in tandem above the Grazia & Co ‘Iva’ stools.
“Lighting was important, not just in terms of layering but in shaping the overall mood of the home.”
MELISSA BALZAN, INTERIOR DESIGNER
“We chose all the wallpapers first, then chose the paint colours, allowing the patterns to guide the overall scheme,” says Melissa. The dining room, previously an underwhelming space, has become the defining moment of the entire house, with its scenic wallpaper, heavy bronze-hued curtains, sculptural pendant and enlarged opening. “It’s now a room with real presence and personality,” shares Melissa. The kitchen follows suit. Bold and confident, the open-plan space boasts a dramatic chocolate marble splashback running all the way to the ceiling, a creamy marble-topped island with a raised breakfast bar at one end and light fittings in brass and alabaster for warmth and functionality.
A moody palette in the dining area sets the tone for the rest of the home, starting with the Caselio ‘Panoramique Dreamlike Landscape’ wallpaper from Casadeco. A ‘Curve’ dining table from Voyager Interiors is set with ‘Embellish’ dining chairs from Zuster in Tan faux leather, with a ‘Covenant Capsule’ pendant in Dark Bronze by Lost Profile Studio hanging above.
Who lives here? A well-travelled pair
Who lives here? A couple with their two Rhodesian Ridgebacks and horses.
Any must-haves? “The stone selection was integral to us. We visited the quarries with Melissa and were closely involved in choosing the stones used throughout the house.”
Favourite room? “We love everything about the library – the wallpaper, the colour on the shelves, the lighting.”
How does it feel to live in your new home? “It feels a little surreal. We’re definitely living the dream and the result has completely surpassed our expectations.”
How would you describe your decorating style? “Sleek, streamlined and subtle, yet bold.”
Furniture was chosen not only for its form, but for how it contributed to the overall mood of the house. “Given the richness of the finishes and colour palette, we were mindful of balancing sculptural silhouettes with softer, more enveloping upholstery,” says Melissa. “Ultimately, I wanted the furniture and furnishings to elevate the spaces, but also to invite you to sit, relax and stay a while.” Layered lighting, plush curtains and considered rugs give each space its own identity while adding to the harmonious and resolved result. “There’s a natural flow from one room to the next, with moments of surprise along the way,” says Melissa. “The house feels grounded in its landscape and connected to its surroundings. It feels as though it has always belonged there, which is always the ultimate goal.”
We love… stylish storage
As part of the home’s grand redesign, Melissa replaced all of the existing joinery with selections that better align with the bold design direction, while honouring the original character. In the dining room, a ‘Westbrook’ sideboard from Boyd Blue, finished in faux shagreen, adds a luxe textural element and ties in with the natural shades of the wallpaper. Visit boydblue.com for details.
“I had always wanted to use it; it has long been a favourite of mine,” says Melissa of the library print. “It’s incredibly versatile and brings a layered, timeless quality to the space.” The Rug Establishment ‘Barbary’ rug in Indigo echoes the blues, while armchairs in ‘Geotile’ fabric in Chocolate from Motivo add contrast.
“Ultimately, we’ve created a truly individual home, one that feels refined and expressive, and most importantly, reflects our clients’ personalities”
MELISSA BALZAN, INTERIOR DESIGNER
Sheridan bedding fills the couple’s room, swathed in Anthology ‘Marble’ wallpaper from Domestic Textile Corporation. Boyd Blue ‘Violetta’ lamps and a custom seat in Misia ‘L’Aventure’ fabric from The Textile Company add hotel vibes beneath a Visual Comfort ‘Alpine’ chandelier from Bloomingdales Lighting.
The Apaiser bath tones with a Cote D’Azur vanity by Signorino and Articolo ‘Duo Ball’ sconce. Guest bedroom Lo & Co handles jazz up Globe West bedsides in the guest room.
The new pool “totally transformed the outdoor area,” says Melissa. The couple’s horses, Odin and Pip, love the grounds.
SOURCE BOOK – your trusted home directory >>
Interior design: Melissa Balzan Design, melissa balzandesign.com
Builder: Miluna Homes, @miluna_ homes
Joinery: BK Cabinets, bkcabinetsmelbourne.com
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