homes {modern marvel}
style sanctuary Built from scratch, this contemporary townhouse reflects its owners’ flair for design and decorating
Aimee, a stylist, and her husband Frank, a builder, have created a personality-filled home that serves their family needs well. “I love to be cooking in the kitchen and catching reflections through the mirrored splashback of Frank and our baby Leo playing,” she says of this open-plan space. The sitting area is defined by a wool rug from Halcyon Lake Rugs & Carpets and furnished with a ‘Plaza’ modular sofa from King Furniture, Globe West ‘Como’ marble coffee table and ‘Alby’ ottoman from Jardan. Requisite colour pops come via scatter cushions from Lumiere Art & Co, Citta Design and Bonnie And Neil, with a side table by Jardan and kantha throw from Sage & Clare completing the stunning scheme. >
ARTWORK RACHEL CASTLE
STORY & STYLING JULIA GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY ARMELLE HABIB
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KITCHEN {this page & opposite bottom} In keeping with the
rest of the home, the kitchen was designed with clean lines and minimal fuss. A bright white palette comes courtesy of 2-pac cabinetry in Dulux Lexicon Quarter to match the walls, and Caesarstone benchtops in Frosty Carina. A mirrored splashback behind the cooktop creates a clever optical illusion, visually doubling the space, while above the adjacent bench, a long window (opposite, bottom) offers a verdant outlook. Replica Yvonne Potter ‘Y’ bar stools from Relax House are arranged along the bench for casual dining.
T
he definition of a ‘dream build’ doesn’t usually include a dash through a building supply store in a last-minute attempt to finish the nursery – whilst heavily pregnant. But Melbourne homeowner and interior stylist Aimee took it all in her stride, especially given her desire to be in her new home in time for the arrival of her first child. “Twenty-four hours after that shopping expedition, my husband Frank and I expanded our family to three,” recalls Aimee. “We went straight from the hospital to our new house.” Some months prior to the birth of baby Leo, in March 2013, Frank, a builder, revealed that he had found a house in a bayside suburb of Melbourne – and that he’d actually bought it! “The funniest part was when he proudly announced that I wouldn’t even need to look at it, as it would be knocked down within a week of settlement,” says Aimee with a laugh. “And it was. We moved in six months later.” Purchasing a knock-down on a generous block allowed the couple to build an abode entirely to their tastes. With the demolition complete, Frank got to work with a no-fuss attitude and mass of ideas. “Our goal was to create a bright, spacious and contemporary townhouse,” says Aimee. “Having previously lived in older homes, the idea of a new home with little upkeep appealed to us both.” >
DINING ROOM {above right} The bold Black Moon artwork
– a commission by Ali McNabney-Stevens – sings against walls in Dulux Lexicon Quarter. A simple Ethnicraft ‘Slice’ dining table and ‘Jasper’ chairs, all from Clickon Furniture, let accessories – such as the replica Tom Dixon ‘Etch’ copper pendant from Lucretia Lighting, yellow Lightly ‘Bonbon’ vase and pretty bone-inlay tray from Fenton & Fenton – steal the show.
DETAIL {above left} Hay ‘Kaleido’ trays from Cult add a geometric
edge to the round marble coffee table from Globe West. “I love their graphic and punchy nature,” says Aimee.
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floorBOARDS Quick-St
ep ‘Palazzo’ engineered board s in Old Grey Oak Matt, $120/sqm, Premi um Floors
.
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ENTRANCE {this page & opposite top} On stepping inside the home, visitors are met by the couple’s signature blend of smart design and upbeat colour. A timber and glass staircase, crafted by Going Upstairs with treads stained in Cabot’s Indian Tea, is surrounded by eye-catching art – a limited-edition Ali McNabney-Stevens ‘Industrial Harbour’ print and a large vintage poster from the Letitia Morris gallery. To break up the expanse of grey-stained oak flooring, Aimee added an Armadillo & Co ‘Dandelion’ rug and plant pot from Pop & Scott. A replica ‘Monkey Boys’ pendant from Matt Blatt is suspended above. The open space under the stairwell accommodates a bench seat from House Of Orange and colourful wall hooks from Lightly.
“The common thread in our artworks is that they’re packed full of colour”
~ Aimee
< The couple devised a generous layout comprising three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study and a spacious open-plan living and dining area. A slick white-on-white kitchen was designed, along with a butler’s pantry for extra storage, and glass bi-fold doors were introduced to maintain the flow between outdoors and in. Outside, the couple installed a deck roofed with laser-cut screens to provide some dappled shade from the heat on summer’s days. As an interior stylist, Aimee confesses that she was itching to get to the fit-out stage of the build. “I would spend hours trawling art sites, and go to bed dreaming of works for each room,” she says. “I always begin the decorating process with art – I like the way it sets the stage and adds personality.” With a strong preference for bold colour via said artworks and soft furnishings, Aimee opted for crisp white walls and deliberately selected big-ticket items in neutral tones. “It’s more cost-effective to change decorative objects than to buy a new couch each year!” says the savvy stylist. The overall effect of this charming new-build is a considered contemporary home that packs a seriously stylish punch – and is a hit with the whole family. “Leo recently started walking,” says Aimee. “I’m already finding that his little eye is attracted to the bright pops of colour I use in my decorating.”
STUDY {right} A statement piece, Number 7 by Prudence Caroline, was one of Aimee’s first purchases for her home and takes pride of place on the landing at the top of the stairs. “The walk up my stairs each day is a pleasure, knowing that I’m going to be met with this hit of colour,” says Aimee. A ‘Seb’ chair from Jardan ticks all the boxes – comfy, contemporary and cool. > homebeautiful.com.au {SEPTEMBER 2014} 113
we love
Sorbet shades
TILES
‘Sahara Desert’ 450 mm x 900mm porcelain tiles, $105/sqm, Perini.
MASTER SUITE {top left & right} A corner of the master bedroom hosts a ‘Retro’ chair from Freedom and ‘Green Loves
Blue’ print from The Minimalist, and leads into the elegantly appointed ensuite. “I love the oversized tiles – they add to the generous feeing of space,” says Aimee of the stone flooring from Perini. A stash of patterned towels by Ziporah provide a colour rush consistent with the rest of the home. NURSERY {above left & right} “We managed to finish Leo’s nursery in the nick of time, as he came three weeks early!” recalls Aimee.The centrepiece is a ‘Vulu’ cot in Dark Forest, found at Love N Care. Small triangular decals from Ferm Living were used to enliven the walls, while a zebra artwork by Jessie Breakwell and accessories from Lucky Boy Sunday inject a sense of fun.
The home’s vivid palette takes a softer turn in the master bedroom, decorated in restful pastels. Spearmint green bedlinen from Bedouin Societe is paired with a geometric throw and peach-hued cushions from Corporate Culture and Jardan. The end result is sweet and subtle, yet still satisfies Aimee’s craving for colour.
MASTER BEDROOM Here Aimee displays her penchant for
contemporary furniture pieces, such as the ‘Kelly’ ottoman from Jardan and handsome padded ‘Fenwick’ headboard by Heatherly Design. Plush ‘Downy Fluff’ charcoal carpet from Quest Carpets underscores the scheme, toning with Citta Design ‘Guarida’ table lamps from Bungalow Trading Co. > homebeautiful.com.au {SEPTEMBER 2014} 115
INSIDE STORY CONTACTS
Who lives here?
Aimee, an interior stylist at Greenhouse Interiors; her husband Frank, a builder and director of Thomas Archer Homes; and their son, 17-month-old Leo.
Builder
Thomas Archer Homes, thomasarcher.com.au.
What’s the best thing about being an interior stylist?
Interior styling
Archer Interiors, archerinteriors.com.au.
Aimee: “Seeing how other people live, and finding out what works. I keep a sharp memory bank of products and features from my clients’ fit-outs.”
How do you spend time in your home?
“We love entertaining friends and soaking up the sun out the back while Leo plays on the grass.”
Tell us about your art collection?
“I have a great mix of limited-edition prints, vintage posters and original works on canvas, all different sizes, colours and textures. Frank now doesn’t even blink an eye when I bring home a new piece – he shouldn’t have built so many white walls for me to adorn! ”
The completion of Aimee and Frank’s beautiful home coincided neatly with the arrival of baby Leo.
Where do you look for inspiration?
“Cool architecture, contemporary furniture design, interior books and Instagram - I’m addicted!”
“Our goal was to create a
” bright and spacious townhouse
~ Aimee
DECK Outdoor entertaining is a breeze thanks to a large table from Clickon Furniture and replica Tolix chairs, plus built-in benches that deliver extra seating when required. Laser-cut ‘Marakesh’ screens from Chippy’s add a decorative edge overhead.
library
kitchen
bath
dining
entry Ground f loor
bed First f loor
study
bath
bed
wir
ILLUSTRATION KENZIEDESIGN.COM ACTUAL PAINT COLOURS MAY VARY ON APPLICATION
garage
l’dry
PLANS
ens master bed
living
deck
With a built-in desk and shelving, Frank’s study is a vision of order.