Photography: Kate Enno/ Styling: Annalese Hay
More than an ocean away from the ivory sands and pristine waters of the Caribbean, this 1920s maisonette nestled in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs feels like a little private island of relaxation for homeowner Amy, her partner and her son. Awash with a holiday feel, opening the front door signals a farewell to the city; closing it behind you is akin to stepping into a tropical-inspired paradise.
Who lives here?
Amy, who works in financial services, her partner and her soon-to-be teenage son.
Your favourite weekend rituals? Amy: “I love a lazy Saturday morning having a girlfriend over for a coffee on the couch. Friday and Saturday nights are usually family movie nights in the blue room. And if it’s footy season, the boys take over to watch the AFL – it’s a cosy, lively home.”
What’s next on your renovation list? “I’m planning a welcoming outdoor living space with a barbecue, fire pit and seating where my son can entertain his friends, to finish the home for good.”
The century-old abode was in a blessedly sturdy state when Amy collected the keys; the interior, however, was not such a tranquil scene. “I wanted it to feel homely, functional and neat. Classic and organised, but warm and lived-in,” she says. To remedy this, Amy approached interior designer Julie Godfrey, who led a cosmetic revamp by The Stylesmiths.
“The brief for the project was to create a sanctuary using as much colour and pattern as possible,” says Julie. She set about layering the interiors with character and creature comforts, staying loyal to a palette of blue and green, with organic materials that subtly evoke luxurious island hideaways. “Rattan was used in and around the spaces to add a different material to just timber, and some antique pieces were used, which Amy had previously purchased,” says Julie. Her guide to the furniture curation? “Detail heavy, but not over-the-top.”
The undeniable hero – and a must for Amy and Julie – is the flock of wallpapers, all in soft chromatic washes. Julie reserved the most detailed design (sage palm fronds swaying in a summer breeze) for the smallest space (the entrance), and selected more muted motifs (pinstripe and tactile seagrass-style wallpapers) for the larger rooms (the living area and bedrooms). “Without the wallpapers, the rooms would feel only half-done,” she says. Given the home’s age and its abundant curves, papering the old walls proved the biggest challenge – and spend – of the project.
Nevertheless, it was worth it. Amy selected tactile, vinyl wallpapers for a hard-wearing, seagrass-like appearance without the upkeep. “The palette of soft blues and greens gives the house a calm, timeless mood, while the layered textures, wallpapers and fabrics bring personality and depth without feeling fussy,” she says. White-painted elements now pop against the oceanic hues, and Amy has embraced the painterly backdrop to display cherished mementos.
“After my dad recently passed away, I added special touches throughout the house that remind me of him; little knick-knacks from his office, some personal items from his room and a few of the pictures that once hung on his walls,” she says. “It’s comforting to have those special pieces around me every day and luckily, they all tie in perfectly with the style of the house. It feels like he’s part of it, too.”
With the paint now dry and tradies’ tools packed away, Amy’s sanctuary is a true reflection of her style – and one that will endure far longer than the tides of trends. “I wanted to create my own personal footprint,” she says. “I absolutely love it. The house now feels calm, layered and distinctly mine.”
Kitchen
We love…pretty wall plates
Amy accented her kitchen with a gallery wall of plates that hold deep sentimental value. “They’re a collection of Bing & Grøndahl, Gien and other pieces,” she explains. “Bing & Grøndahl released annual Christmas plates and, growing up, my dad would give one to my sister and me each Christmas. It was a highlight of Christmas for us; we built up a beautiful collection.” For porcelain and vintage-edition wall plates, see Danish Porcelain House Trading at dphtrading.com.
Living
“The must-haves for me were the wallpapers. You can soften a space with wallpaper designs and patterns, it’s like having art on your walls.”
Bedrooms
The tropical references carry into Amy’s bedroom, which is cloaked head-to-toe in Thibaut ‘Taluk’ sisal wallpaper – even the panelled wardrobe doors. “My bedroom is my favourite room,” says Amy. “With its soft green and filled with morning light, it’s peaceful and lovely for reading in bed with a cup of tea.”
Source book
Interior design The Stylesmiths, thestylesmiths.com.au
Builder iSolar Builders, isolarbuilders.com.au
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