In Focus October 2023

In Focus

BEHIND THE BUILD: THE BLOCK HOUSE 5

We break the forth wall and take you behind the scenes with Eliza & Liberty from The Block 2023, to learn more about their winning rooms and design choices.

MY NEIGHBOURHOOD: TANJA NEVEN-JONES

This month we are excited to open a new hub in the heart of Kingston. We sat down with Director Tanja Neven-Jones, to talk about living and working in the beachside suburb of Chelsea.

25/33-35 BODLEY STREET, BEAUMARIS a b c

This penthouse suite offers a rare opportunity to live in the Bayside's golden triangle, where the elements that characterise the coast are on full display.

26 CHOMLEY STREET, PRAHRAN

With a design strategy focused on flexible family living and peaceful privacy, this inspired home, designed by Clare Cousins Architects, celebrates an effortless connection to the outdoors.

KINDRED MENTONE

Discover a boutique collection of 10 multistorey bayside homes, designed with meticulous care by award winning architectural practice Megowan.

SPRING INTO ACTION

Thinking of selling this Spring? Contact us today to learn more about the Jellis Craig difference and discover the value of your home with a property appraisal.

BEHIND the BUILD

A mid-century modernist home in Melbourne's bayside transformed for modern family living.

This year, Jellis Craig Bayside is proud to represent House 5, from the much-anticipated 2023 season of The Block. Contestants and sisters from Melbourne, Eliza and Liberty, were new to the world of building and design before they arrived to the site 12 weeks ago.

At 22 Charming St, Hampton East, Eliza and Liberty managed to capture the essence of mid-century architecture whilst embracing contemporary living, resulting in the creation of a breathtaking family home.

We sat down with the sisters to talk about what inspired their build and some of the biggest lessons they learnt during the process.

What materials or architectural elements did you employ to stay true to the architectural period of the original home?

Open-plan living was a non-negotiable for our home design and a key attribute of mid-century design. This is most evident in our kitchen/living/dining space, which encourages easy flow of people and conversation and great indoor-outdoor connections. Our front facade features bricks from the original home and has become one our favourite features. To be able to keep some of the elements and character of the 1950’s build was important to us in maintaining its history whilst showcasing our own unique flavour.

The home features bold moments of colour throughout. Why are you drawn to colour and how have you employed colour throughout the home?

Describe your personal style—are there particular designs you are drawn to?

‘Contemporary and bright’ probably best describes our overall chosen aesthetic. Given we were lacking renovation experience, we were keen to utilise a neutral base, and build on that with the occasional bold statement piece. This then gives the buyer the opportunity to put their own spin on the property as desired.

What elements of the home are inspired by the original mid-century design?

We really wanted to pay homage to the home’s original midcentury design and there were a lot of elements already in our plans that did just this. Minimalist design was embraced during the 1950’s, so we kept true to this in the architecture and permanent fixtures by keeping the base quite neutral. Bright colours were also prominent during that era, so we added our own contemporary style and pops of colour to non-permanent fixtures like artwork and appliances.

When conducting research for our ‘Block mood board’ prior to the show, we were always drawn to house designs which incorporated colour utilised in a classy way. We noticed interior design trends shifting away from cream/beige colour schemes, to pops of colour and pattern so we did our own interpretations of this throughout the home. We kept the base framework of the house fairly neutral, with white walls, light grey kitchen cabinetry, oak floorboards and cream carpets. Coloured accents were then incorporated through non-permanent fixtures like furniture, artwork, wallpaper, accessories, and décor, so the new home owner can interchange these easily if they wish.

Your winning kitchen is perfect for entertaining and everyday cooking. How important was the kitchen to your build?

The kitchen truly is the heart of the home and a space we feel is one of the most important to get right. We wanted to do justice to our amazing floor plan by keeping it open, spacious and functional, but also aesthetically beautiful. We chose our kitchen design in Week 2 of The Block and then used our choices as inspiration for the rest of the house. In order to maximise the open-plan design, we removed a wall from the original plans between the kitchen and living area, extended the length of the island bench and removed a nib wall to create a self-contained bar, creating a kitchen which truly has everything!

What materials and fixtures did you use that make this kitchen perfect for family entertaining?

There are so many incredible features and fixtures in our kitchen which make it the perfect space for entertaining, whilst maintaining ultimate functionality. Our favourite feature is the 4m long island bench made of Dekton stone from Cosetino, which is heat, stain and scratch resistant, making it almost indestructible. We kept it free of a sink or cooktop, making it purely for entertaining and enjoying quality time with family and friends. We have an abundance of below and above-bench storage in the form of cutlery and crockery drawers, large cupboards for pots and pans, a self-contained bar station with glassware racks, built-in food storage and a butler’s pantry for food preparation and housing appliances. The dishwasher, fridge and bins are integrated, making for a seamless design and the proximity of appliances to each other is practical and well thought-out.

Tell us about the choice of tile, stone, and other materials for the beautiful bathrooms.

We were delighted with the end product of all of our bathrooms, and we love the fact they all have continuity but are also very distinct from one another. In the master ensuite and guest bathroom, we tiled floor to ceiling and kept the palette quite neutral. We incorporated a combination of different shapes and textures by using large square tiles in a matte finish and smaller finger tiles in a gloss finish. The famous moss wall provided a pop of colour and interest in the guest bathroom, and the master ensuite was sophisticated and luxurious, with a black fronted timber vanity, double shower, mood lighting and gold hardware. We kept the powder room very simple, just tiling the floor but we added a pop of colour with a burgundy Nood Co basin. We amped up the fun and colour in the kids bathroom, opting for a multicoloured terrazzo tile on the floor, an emerald gloss tile on the walls and textured mint basins.

Webelieveaminimalistdesignwith clean, classic lines and a neutral colour palettefortheframeworkofthehome will ensure it remains timeless.

Where are some of your favourite places in the home that were designed to relax and recharge?

There is an abundance of spaces within the home for everyone to kick back, relax and recharge. The living room has a huge, comfortable eight-seater couch for everyone to gather and watch TV or feel the warmth of the 360-degree fireplace. The northfacing backyard is calm and charming, with several zones including a casual lounge area and firepit which is the ideal relaxation space in all seasons. The rumpus room upstairs on the landing is a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the main entertaining area downstairs and the studio retreat out the back is the perfect sanctuary to escape to, while overlooking the pool.

A note from the agent:

Nick Renna Director, Jellis Craig Bayside

Tell us your favourite room in the house and why.

The kitchen is by far our favourite room in the house. It is the centrepiece of our home and the space we drew inspiration for the entire house. We put so much time and thought into the architecture, flow and design of this room and we wouldn’t change a thing about the outcome. It is spacious, functional, and luxurious. It is a dream kitchen for the cook, the entertainer and the family who want to hang out and eat with each other or with friends. It is everything you could want in a kitchen, and it ties every room in the home together.

The Block is a demanding 12 weeks. What helped inspire your creativity each week?

We went into The Block vibing an industrial theme, but after receiving Julian Brenchley’s façade design, we became inspired by the timber accents of the home. We also wanted to celebrate the grandeur of the floorplan we were allocated, by remaining focused on keeping everything light and open. Seeing what all the amazing Block sponsor stores had to offer helped to ignite different ideas too. We matured stylistically as time went on, so we became more and more confident to explore different avenues as well.

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned during your time on The Block?

The biggest thing we discovered was how much determination and resilience we have. Having survived the ups, downs and extreme sleep deprivation of The Block, we now feel like we’re capable of achieving anything. This experience also taught us that kindness, respect and hard work will get you everywhere in life. Building a house in 12 weeks is really hard…. that’s another thing we learned!

Do you have any aspirations to continue your building journey?

We’d love to win enough money to take on our own renovation project one day… with the help of builders, a professional project manager and a lengthier timeframe!

Hampton East has been the ‘flavour of the month’ for some time now with buyers recognising the suburb that has it all. You’ve got shops and public transport within walking distance of the home as well as being surrounded by some of the best private schools in Victoria. There’s been a steady increase in Hampton East prices over the years which will continue as time goes on. With the calibre of properties in the area, it’s a fantastic suburb to invest or raise a family. The location is central with both the beach & Nepean Hwy all within easy access.

The home is the complete package. Not only is it a brand new build, it also has the selfcontained unit at the back which can be used for multiple purposes such has granny-flat, home office or extra bedroom. The home is a rare find in the Bayside market.

Our experience of ‘The Block’ so far has been incredible and a fantastic opportunity which we’re very grateful for. Eliza and Liberty have been great to work with from the start and to see their vision coming to life has been a delight to watch. As the weeks go by you can really see their confidence building with the quality of rooms and spaces they are delivering. Their attention to detail and execution really is impressive. We’re getting some great momentum from buyers now so we’re looking forward to seeing the end result on Auction day and getting a great result for the girls.

22 Charming Street, Hampton East is available to purchase through Jellis Craig Brighton. View the listing exclusively on domain.com.au.

Contact Nick Renna for more information. M 0 411 551 190

Jellis Craig Bayside Director Nick Renna with contestants Liberty and Eliza Paschke.

My Neighbourhood

with Tanja Neven-Jones

Opening a new office in Chelsea is a significant milestone in your career. Tell us about your ambition for joining Jellis Craig and your plans for the future.

Byron and I have an amazing team across Kingston and we wanted to partner with a brand who could elevate our service offering. The sophistication of Jellis Craig was evident from our initial meeting, from the marketing collateral, the support of the corporate team and the caliber of high performing agents and offices across the state, we certainly couldn’t be more impressed. Byron and I together with our partners look forward to elevating our people, upskilling them using ‘sharper tools’ and empowering them to grow.

With over two decades of experience in the industry, what do you love most about your role and what inspired you to pursue a career in real estate?

Initially my interest in real estate came from having a strong sales background working as a Sales Representative at Rip Curl. I knew a few real estate agents and I knew I had that same drive and passion, but also the people skills to be a great agent for my clients. I soon discovered that real estate was about solving problems and the quicker I learnt to think outside of the box, the more successful I would become. I love helping people get into their next homes smoothly, or working with investors to make profitable decisions. The variety of work and collaboration with colleagues is something I really enjoy. Working with young talent within the industry to elevate their success is also very satisfying, I have nothing but pride when I see how talented our young agents are.

What key lessons have you learned that have contributed to your success?

Tanja Neven-Jones Director, Jellis Craig Chelsea

This month we are excited to open two new offices in the heart of Kingston. Known for its pristine beaches and family-friendly vibe, Kingston is home to some of Melbourne’s best schools, shopping and transport. We sat down with Jellis Craig Chelsea Director, Tanja Neven-Jones, to talk about living and working in Kingston.

One of the key lessons I’ve learnt is real estate is a people business and everything we do is about the client’s experience with us. Most of my business is from repeat clients and referrals so I am always over-servicing both buyers and sellers, delivering relevant information consistently. I also make an effort to touch base with past buyers, vendors and appraisals at least six times a year with a client care program that I developed after noticing a real lack of after care service within our industry once the transaction had taken place. This was an absolute game changer for me.

What do you love most about living and working in Chelsea?

Chelsea would have to have one of the most divine beaches in all of Port Phillip Bay, we are so lucky to have this as a place to enjoy a lunch break, do a call session or even a quick power walk to clear the mind before negotiating. The area is framed by the beach, Edithvale Wetlands, Patterson River and Mordialloc Creek. Without a doubt the heart of the suburb is Bicentennial Park. Farmers Markets, Festivals, Carols By Candlelight and the myriad of activities to promote health and energy across all age groups. The natural beauty combined with the traditional and modern architecture of the homes, the local characters and hardworking business owners investing in their suburb make it a delightful suburb to both work and live in.

In addition to being an experienced sales agent, you are a regular speaker at industry events. What inspires you to share your knowledge with others?

My inspiration to speak at industry events actually came from frustration. I love attending conferences but always found that agents spoke a lot about themselves and their success but never drilled down and explained the actual activities they do daily to create that success, I would leave with my conference book empty. I had an unusual story that wasn’t a typical real estate journey, there have been large setbacks and mistakes which I thought made me relatable as I am far from perfect. Telling my story isn’t easy, but I wanted to be truthful and inspire agents to show them if I can recover quickly and overcome adversity so can they.

Do you experience any nerves before getting up on stage? How do you combat this?

By far the most important tool I use to overcome nerves and control adrenaline is to practice my breathing. I’ll close my eyes for 2 minutes and take deep breaths to regulate my heart rate. Block out the noise, control the controllables and then I just get on stage and enjoy the opportunity of presenting to our industry. I’ll call friends and ask if I can present at their sales meetings to test if the content is well received before finalising and change dialogue if needed.

If you had a friend visiting from interstate, where would you take them...

FOR COFFEE

The Little Coffee Place or Tomboys in Chelsea Heights.

FOR AN ACTIVITY

A day at Aspendale Beach, most days you will spot gorgeous marine life like dolphins, stingrays and our regular seal visitor.

FOR LUNCH

The Corner Store in Mentone.

FOR DINNER

Bang Bang in Mordialloc.

FOR A DRINK

Bogurks in Edithvale.

Tell us about ‘home’.

Home is a modest weatherboard in Chelsea Heights. What I love about it is we raised our son here and created many memories with friends and family. Essentially the home grew with us. We’ve extended, put in a pool and during lockdown built what I call my ‘little street bar’. It really is a cool space where I’ve held important conversations with close friends about life, held Christmas and New Year’s parties and spent quality time with those closest to me. It really is a safe space. If you’re lucky you may get to meet my 2 crazy Chihuahua’s, my 18 year old son Ethan – who only makes the occasional special appearance and my even more reclusive husband Darren may come out and enjoy a beer if the conversation isn’t about real estate.

Can you share a book or podcast recommendation?

Smartless with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, delightful and thoughtful dialogue that always ensures a laugh.

Can you share a quote from someone you aspire to?

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change we seek.” Barak Obama.

Chelsea would have to have one of the mostdivinebeachesinallofPortPhillip Bay,wearesoluckytohavethisasaplace toenjoyalunchbreak,doacallsessionor evenaquickpowerwalktoclearthemind beforenegotiating.

This penthouse suite offers a rare opportunity to live in the Bayside's golden triangle, where the elements that characterise the coast are on full display.

Soaring ceilings, exposed brickwork and expansive windows set a stunning tone for light and airy living in this brilliantly-styled warehouse conversion with 2 sunny balconies.

With a design strategy focused on flexible family living and peaceful privacy, this inspired home, designed by Clare Cousins Architects, is expertly infused with timeless style, decisive functionality, and celebrates an effortless connection to the outdoors.

This magnificent family domain boasts a luxury transformation over two levels, taking full advantage of a highly sought north facing rear aspect amongst landscaped gardens.

An unmatched transformation of this c1927 Spanish Mission/Californian Bungalow style residence showcases meticulous attention to detail and designer flair throughout light filled contemporary interiors, on a single level allotment spanning 880sqm approx.

Exquisitely beautiful on the rise of Burke Road Hill, the Tara Estate is widely regarded as Camberwell’s most tightly held enclave of distinguished Victorian and Edwardian period homes with its tree lined streets and premium family homes for over 130 years.

Offering an air of richness and timelessness, Melbourne-based design studio Cera Stribley Architects introduces the first of just eight residences within the sophisticated TATE development, exclusively poised in the Cotham Road precinct.

Dylan Francis 0421 023 832

Caitlin Payne-Clarke 0414 456 077

Beautifully packaged within a coveted tree-lined street and amongst popular St Fidelis Primary School, this superbly enhanced Californian boasts three comfortable bedrooms, a convenient home office/ study, three designer tiled bathrooms and opulent finishes throughout an intelligent double-storey plan.

Named ‘Barrow House’ by its creators at Austin Maynard Architects, the property, winner of the Timber Design Awards, reflects a progressive double-storey design by blending recycled hardwood to form a truly unique aesthetic.

A quality crafted reinvention, this surprising three bedroom rendered brick beauty creates spacious north facing indoor/outdoor living. Thoughtfully designed with stunning European Oak floors, this newly renovated home enjoys a welcoming entrance, three beautiful light filled bedrooms all with built in robes, a generous main bathroom, and an adjoining powder room.

5 a 5 b 2 c

Emil Foller 0403 301 097

Andrew McCann 0414643744

SWEEPING PORT PHILLIP BAY VIEWS ON THE VILLAGE DOORSTEP

Unsurpassed luxury and grandeur fronted by one of Sorrento’s best bay views, are presented in this contemporary, statement home positioned on a wide service road, a stone’s throw from the village and sparkling foreshore. Effortlessly sleek and sophisticated, the palatial property offers the ultimate in comfort and space with premium specifications across two generous levels.

Andrew McCann 0414 643 744

Adam Walker 0431 186 669

Amidst a leafy streetscape, a stone's throw from Central Park, this blissful poolside entertainer infuses family elegance and heartwarming charm into a floor plan that perfectly caters to a modern, dynamic family lifestyle. Soaring ceilings communicate exceptional scale, whilst the most recent renovations complement the timelessness of the home's original character.

Behind a beautifully broad frontage in a prized English Counties address, this renovated 1920’s home offers tremendous family appeal with its generous four bedroom accommodation featuring multiple living and indoor/outdoor entertaining areas, an inviting pool and sweeping landscaped gardens just minutes from leading private schools.

Meticulously thought-out residences nestled in the serene landscape of Mont Albert North, Kodawari emulates a bespoke community lifestyle to this deeply textured neighbourhood. Impeccably crafted by Coreland and masterfully designed by T-A Square, these idyllic residences are indicative of considered design, iconic finishes, and exceptional craftsmanship.

Enriched by breathtaking design and crafted with exquisite opulence as a priority, this dazzling five bedroom plus office, five bathroom showstopper encapsulates contemporary living by fusing expansive indoor/outdoor spaces over two sublime levels

Peacefully positioned in a premium parklands precinct with advantageous lifestyle convenience, this brand new, superbly crafted domain celebrates magnificent interior spaces elegantly presented in a sophisticated palette of captivating finishes and sought after low maintenance living.

Showcasing superbly maintained Victorian charisma c1890, this exquisite double fronted family residence offers gracious proportions adorned with ornate period elements throughout, within a lush garden setting.

Winner of the Victorian Architectural Medal in 2000 and reminiscent of designs by Grounds and the McIntyres in 1950s Melbourne, this stunning north facing 2 bedroom sanctuary has naturally light and airy spaces looped together around a captivating tree within a round courtyard

Nestled within the exclusive community of 13th Beach Golf Club, this expressive home has been built with precision, highlighting excellence in design that truly embraces the natural landscape. Planned around sun capturing private courtyards, aspect has been considered from every position.

This newly renovated property is the perfect home to slow down, relax, and enjoy all the benefits of this lakeside location.

A showpiece of contemporary cool, this brand new four bedroom, three bathroom, including studio residence offers discerning buyers streamlined luxury in the heart of Northcote’s shopping and entertainment precinct.

Radiant and smartly refurbished, this four bedroom plus study Victorian represents a once in a generation opportunity on a staggeringly large blue chip block of approximately 1097m2, with a bonus self-contained two bedroom unit and deep garden adjoining a rear ROW presenting all sorts of options for a generational family compound or development opportunities (STCA).

Charming and captivating, in one of Geelong’s best streets, this freestanding, four-bedroom residence on a 465 sqm block is a showpiece of inner-city living. Owning a dual frontage to Waldron Pl with wide access for two vehicles, it's an uncompromising lifestyle choice, within walking distance to the bay, cafés, CBD, South Geelong station and a selection of popular schools and parks.

Surrounded by approx. 8 acres of mature native bushland, this idyllic country home abounds in character and a charm that is rarely found. Featuring both mudbrick and timber the 2 storey “chalet” style home with matching garage and loft enjoys a private and beautiful setting that boasts lovely views to Mt Warrenheip and surrounds.

Echoing the needs and desires of a growing family, this outstanding home and private established gardens will add atmosphere and warmth to every gathering. Comprehensively renovated by Opulent Homes, every bespoke detail will enthral from the cathartic water wall replicated on the slumped glass entrance door to the dramatic raked ceilings and elegant hardwood floor finishes.

Framed by a bullnose verandah complete with its original iron lacework, and still sporting its triple column chimneys, this double brick property's original elements have only increased in significance with the passage of time.

Lloyd Lawton 0403 229 433 Nick O'Halloran 0430 345 086

LAVER HOUSE STUDLEY PARK

This property seamlessly blends luxury and natural elements, originally renovated in 1985 by Nonda Katsalisdis and recently transformed by Neil Architecture's directors, Cameron Neil and Huyen Bui. It offers a masterful design within the leafy Studley Park precinct, providing a unique contemporary family living experience across two levels amongst superbly landscaped gardens.

To breathe in the sea air and feel the sand under your feet whenever you wish. It's the peaceful, social idyll that draws us in. An aspirational lifestyle and location await at Kindred, just a short stroll from the beach and across the road from a reserve in the heart of Mentone.

25 Brindisi St, Mentone

3 2.5-3.5 2 1

For Sale Starting from $1,295,000 | Stephen Bowtell 0455 038 022

Enjoy a rooftop deck ofyour own, a place of inspiration and recuperation.Asanctuary for quiet contemplation in sea air and sunny bay glimpses.

Developer Sloane

Architect Megowan Architectural kindredmentone.com.au

Kindred has an abundance of inspiration drawn from Mentone Beach and the surrounding bayside. The recycled cream brick exterior and white timber slats evoke the colours and textures of the bay, and the use of cascading greenery echoes the cliffs surrounding the picturesque beach. The refined, modern lines and organic curves inspired by Scandinavian avant-garde art and design speak beautifully to the surrounding bayside landscape.

This stunning boutique collection of 10 bayside homes, designed with meticulous care by award winning architectural practice Megowan, gives you that opportunity to enjoy a lifestyle without compromise in an outstanding location. They are united in their beach-inspired aesthetic. Bold, smooth curves enhance the visual experience. Texture-rich timber is also used as a striking feature, dividing spaces and building on Kindred’s unique personality.

All images are artistic impressions