a dynamic and lively area of inner Melbourne, this home offered a smaller footprint set over four levels without compromising on luxurious amenities and space essential for regular entertaining and house guests for a couple moving from a larger home in Toorak. The empty nesters, who lead a busy family and social life, had sought out a “pristine location with unique architectural features”, explains Richard Misso, creative director of interior design studio The Stylesmiths. The property was a grand, dark and heavy The property was a highly bespoke design catering specifically to the previous owner’s taste, needs and furniture. The tendency to lean more towards a series of interconnected rooms rather than open spaces was resolved by taking a more holistic approach to the design. In the past, each space was designed and decorated in isolation which further enhanced this disconnect. To resolve this, a more uniform colour palette was selected as well as consistency of materials used throughout to create a sense of cohesion, lightness and space. This neutral foundation offered the flexibility to layer some individuality to each space by way of soft furnishings, custom joinery, artwork and decorator items. The building itself was the starting point. Although very grand, the classical, European-inspired architectural elements were done in a very committed way and unique for a property of this age (and in Australia). From the outset Patricia and David knew they wanted to be sympathetic to this and embrace and update these elements rather than fight or remove them. Grounded in the Parisian apartment style, the finished interior is a soothing collaboration of old and new. The best of both design worlds are celebrated in an eclectic but very sophisticated way. Despite the formal and elevated elements and the combination of new and beloved antique pieces the final product has a heart-warming soul feeling much like a happy, relaxed family home. What we love about the design are the little vignettes found as you move around the house. The whole is spectacular, but these little moments of micro-pleasure really make it come alive. If we had to pick a favourite space, it would be the central courtyard with the by Willie Wildlife Sculptures. It’s a perfectly serene slice of Europe right in the middle of bustling inner Melbourne. We also love the beautiful craftsmanship of the architraves, cornices and stone flooring, mantels and fountains found throughout the house. The light, greenery and natural views to the central and rear courtyards make each room interesting and special. The living areas were smaller than what you’d typically find in a house of this size so scale was important. Where possible, we looked to slightly smaller pieces of furniture to ensure easy flow of movement when traversing the spaces without compromising on the grandeur. The opposite was the case with the artwork. Where we could, we looked to larger scale, bold and abstract pieces or salon-hung smaller individual works. A lighter, more muted colour palette for walls, floors and window furnishings further enhanced a feeling a lightness and space not found in the original design. We needed to temper the classical elements found within and consider the client’s love of art and antique furniture. Also critical was maintaining a degree of luxury and sophistication in both the formal and informal areas. With that in mind, we turned to more modern pieces in luxurious fabrics and modernist artworks synonymous with Parisian apartment style. Plush carpets, natural marbles, herringbone timbers and high-end textiles such as silk, linens and velvets elevated the design while keeping it a very personal and inviting space. It turned out wonderfully and we are all very happy with the final product, especially the clients which makes it so much more worthwhile. Once inside, it’s like being cocooned in a peaceful oasis and the manic noise and excitement of the inner-city neighbourhood could be thousands of miles away.
