A fresh and modern take on a vintage home

In the dining room, above a ‘Modern Sixties’ American walnut table from Curious Grace, a replica ‘Spillray’ pendant from Da Voluce Lighting Studio casts a glow. Replica Hans J Wegner chairs and a bar trolley from West Elm blend in, as does a ‘Picon’ Art Deco poster from Home & Abode. Terrazzo flooring was an inspired choice for the main living areas. “It’s easy to keep clean and we put in underfloor heating, which is wonderful in often-chilly Hobart,” says owner. The original Murano bowl on the table was sourced from Smith Street Bazaar in Melbourne’s Fitzroy.

Adjacent to the kitchen, the living room is another inviting spot to take time out, thanks to a bespoke sofa from Angelucci 20th Century and a replica Noguchi coffee table (for similar, try Chicicat). Finishing touches to this light-filled space include a framed print of ‘The Nosy Neighbors’ by Josh ‘Shag’ Agle from Outré Gallery and an eye-catching green-and-white ‘Hedges’ cushion from Fenton & Fenton. A ‘Hawaiian Girl’ cushion (for similar, try Vavoom Emporium) picks up the tones of the ‘Flamingo’ cushion from Sparkk Shop at the other end of the sofa. The timber Modernica planter is from Luc Design.

Modern practicality prevails in the kitchen despite it being a loving ode to retro style. An array of storage comes courtesy of American walnut cabinetry by Acclaim Kitchens & Cabinets. “I love the timber bulkhead above the island bench,” says owner. “I wanted something a little left-of-centre – and it provides added storage.” The apple-green splashback tiles from Academy Tiles were a serendipitous find by Jane during a trip to Melbourne. “I had this exact colour tile in mind and walked up and down [the suburb of] Richmond before I saw these,” she says. “As soon as I did, I said, ‘This is it!’” The mother-of-two loves the low-maintenance appeal of the Silestone benchtops in Lagoon, while a cluster of leather-and-walnut Erik Buch replica bar stools from Life Interiors is a magnet at mealtime.

“This area is probably more of a feature in a 1970s home than one from the ’50s or ’60s, but we just love it,” says the owner of the lounge area that separates the kitchen from the main bedroom. “It makes this part of the house feel so warm and cosy, it’s probably my favourite spot in the whole home. If I’m here, it means I’m relaxing!” The lime-green sofa was custom-made by the owner, using Warwick’s ‘Globe’ polyester in Herb, and is dotted with colourful cushions from Country Road, Luc Design and Orla Kiely. A tiled feature wall of sandstone crazy pavers deserves an extra tick of approval, as does the shiplap timber ceiling cladding, and a soft-as-silk reindeer rug from Grey and Felt interiors which enhances the sense of comfort. The large artwork is ‘The Holmby Hills’ by Josh ‘Shag’ Agle and the framed photographs are of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, sourced from Photographers Gallery in Los Angeles.

“Drew wasn’t scared away by this floral wallpaper!” says owner, of the Orla Kiely ‘Striped Petal’ wallpaper in 110402 Graphite. “The way it complements the American walnut cabinetry is my favourite part of this room.” A ‘Colonel Mustard’ quilt cover set from Hunting For George continues the infusion of colour, while the flooring is Hycraft’s ‘Ravine’ wool carpet in Pewter.

For someone who happily declares she’s “certainly not a minimalist”, the monochrome palette of the family bathroom was a surprisingly restrained choice by the owner. Large-scale black gloss ‘Damier Noir’ tiles from Signorino guarantee a dramatic feature wall in the wash zone, while a pink-and-orange ‘Bunting’ bath sheet from Fenton & Fenton adds a requisite splash of colour against the Victoria & Albert ‘Barcelona’ freestanding bath and Reece tapware. Planters from Luc Design house some lush greenery. 

More American walnut cabinetry, together with a Silestone benchtop in Lagoon, reigns supreme in the laundry, and helps this room feel less like a working space and more like the rest of the home. “The round handles on the cupboards were custom-made by an 80-year-old wood turner we found in the north of Tasmania,” says the owner. “It’s important to pay attention to smaller items such as the handles.”