BAYSIDE Despite its bursts of bold colour and personality, this new home in bayside Melbourne still provides a relaxed and tranquil setting for the young family who resides here. WORDS CASSANDRA CHARLES / PHOTOGRAPHY MARTINA GEMMOLA / STYLING AIMEE TARULLI
HOME TOUR
With a baby on the way, Aimee and Frank had an inflexible but looming deadline to get their new home built. But with Frank the director of building company Thomas Archer Homes and Aimee a talented stylist, nothing was impossible. After spying a plot of land in a Melbourne bayside suburb, the pair set about demolishing the pre-existing weatherboard house and building a pair of contemporary, spacious townhouses on the land – with one specifically designed for their family. The end result is a bright and contemporary four-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse that supports their coastal lifestyle. “It was such an exciting process designing a house from scratch for ourselves and then building it. It meant we got everything how we wanted it,” says Aimee.
Dreamy living
Aimee chose a sectional sofa from King Furniture for its minimal and understated look. “I’ve added lots of colour through cushions and accessories to make the space come alive,” Aimee says. Colourful Lisa Lapointe and Bonnie & Neil cushions are combined with a vintage Kantha throw from Sage & Clare. A pale aqua coloured rug from Halcyon Lake gives the space its serene feel.
62
adore home
“We have such a great partnership… Frank concentrated on the building side of things but many of the interior decisions we both collaboratively made together as we have very similar taste. It was definitely a collaborative process and one that went really smoothly,” Aimee says. Aimee’s favourite room of their new home is the openplanliving and dining space, which perfectly sums up the decorating style she has applied to the entire house. “It’s the heart of the home and the place we spend the most time. It’s full of colourful art and accessories and is filled with an abundance of natural light. It’s so peaceful and
serene sitting in there surrounded by all the things I love,” Aimee says. From the living room, the family can look out to the decked alfresco area. Here, a laser-cut black screen forms the patio’s ceiling. When the sun is out, beautiful dappled light drapes over the space. Aimee and Frank’s outdoor areas have a lush, tropical feel, which they achieved by planting large strelitzia palms down one side of the house. The palms have since grown to the top floor, providing privacy and a leafy, tropical character to the house. Like the dining and living areas, the crisp white kitchen is also open plan, allowing Aimee and Frank to move around it freely when preparing meals. Above the sink, a large picture window allows abundant natural light and more leafy views into the space. The home’s colour palette is kept neutral with bursts ofcolour of personality dotted throughout. “I love incorporating lots of colour when decorating. I always think the larger investment pieces should be quite minimal and neutral to last the test of time, and then I like to add pops of colour though things like art and soft furnishings,” says Aimee. Aimee and Frank’s art collection is enviable but, most >
adore home
63
HOME TOUR
importantly, it is special to them. “They are all very special pieces that we’ve bought at special times in our lives and we get so much enjoyment out of each piece. We’ll have them forever and it’s something I’d love to keep adding to over the years,” Aimee says. With its calm character and bursts of fresh colour and pattern, Aimee and Frank’s home is the perfect setting for their relaxed lifestyle. “I wanted a really contemporary look and something that reflected our personality. I think we’ve definitely achieved that,” says Aimee.
64
adore home
Dining hero
“My favourite piece of art in my home is this original artwork by Ali McNabney-Stevens. It was the first piece of original art I had purchased and it frames my dining area and is the real hero of the room,” Aimee says. Vibrant greens in the foliage on the table and the Hux & Co pot add a hint of tropical panache, as does the Toucan porthole by Ahoy Trader.
adore home
65
>
Toddler hangout
“A new room for my toddler has been the most rewarding room I have designed in my house. I wanted a room that wasn’t too young, or age specific, but a room that was really cool for a little boy,” explains Aimee. “My favourite piece in the room is the original vintage poster I sourced from The Galerie.” A fun OYOY lion cushion from Norsu Interiors and tribal arrows from A Boy Named Aaron add a touch of whimsy to the space.
66
adore home
adore home
67
HOME TOUR
Peaceful bedroom
“I wanted my main bedroom to feel really luxurious and peaceful,” Aimee explains. “Gorgeous linen from Cultiver in pastel hues adorn the Heatherly Designs bed adding a real sense of serene luxury.” The Kelly ottoman (at the end of the bed) from Jardan adds a pop of turquoise to the room. Bedside table from Click On Furniture, lamp and mauve vase from Bungalow Trading Co.
HOME TOUR
HOME TOUR
Green outlook
MRoIGdHerTnS
“The alfresco deck provides a great place for summer BBQs and entertaining. It gets all the morning and midday sun and provides a lovely outlook from the open plan living space,” Aimee says. Outdoor dining table and chairs from Click On Furniture.
colour palette
B
Check out more homes from Thomas Archer Homes here: www.thomasarcher.com.au 70
adore home
TO
STEAL
Acheive Aimee’s colourful bayside home’s style with these bright and modern pieces.
STOOL Replica Yvonne Potter ‘Y’ design bar stool $195 www.relaxhouse.com.au / ART ‘Make Love Not Raw’ print (unframed) by Prudence Caroline (91 x 91cm) $770 sales@greenhouseinteriors.com.au / THROW ‘Jem’ handwoven throw $199 www.sageandclare.com / TRAYS Trays Excellenté diamond trays (various sizes/colours) large $90 www.fentonandfenton.com.au / LAMP ‘Meyer’ floor lamp $429 www.beaconlighting.com.au / POT Pop & Scott triangle pot (plant not included) from $120 www.huntingforgeorge.com CUSHION Bonnie & Neil ‘Tropical Floral’ cushion $145 www.bonnieandneil.com.au / CANISTER Canister in matt neon coral (small) $15 www.adornhomewares.com.au / COFFEE TABLE Globe West ‘Como’ marble coffee table $1515 www.globewest.com.au / CHAIR Retro chair in Arena Neptune $699 www.freedom.com.au adore home
71