Located in one of Melbourne’s most desired inner city suburbs and surrounded by bustling cafes and restaurants, this South Melbourne house captures your attention at first glance. The two-storey home has been completely transformed by Inglis Architects into a sanctuary and place of entertainment for the residents to retreat to after a long day in the office.

DESIGN: Inglis Architects | PHOTOGRAPHY: Sean Fennessy

Staying true to the brief, the architects have converted this once small and compacted house into an open and inviting home. With the existing home being built in the mid 1800’s and having suffered an ordinary previous renovation, a new lease on life was essential for this charming abode. Retaining the home’s existing high ceilings has meant spaciousness is far from scarce. The home’s original detailing has been pared back to take on a more modern design aesthetic, while large black steel framed windows act as an affinity to draw the natural beauty of the outdoors within. As the client’s have a background in hospitality, a large edible garden was built in close proximity to the kitchen for the client’s to utilise fresh produce when cooking and entertaining.

Inglis worked closely with the client from the beginning to ensure the home was a true reflection of their personality. This is heavily reflected through the eclectic mix of furniture and decor pieces, collected by the client, that are curated throughout the home. The interior is a mix of old and new. While the colour palette has remained somewhat subtle, elegance and style is showcased through the impeccable use of raw materials and finishes. A generously sized steam room was constructed upstairs offering a place to decompress after a busy day. A rich material like marble has been used on both the bathroom and steam room walls to create a subtle yet captivating backdrop. The bathroom pays respect to the home’s roots incorporating a modern take on a traditional Victorian freestanding claw bath that adds such charm and elegance to the room. Throughout the home timber floorboards line the floor to add a calming and relaxed feel and bronze tapware adds an element of rawness and intrinsic continuity to each space.

Attention to detail was key in creating this high-end home. From the herringbone brick fireplace to the fully customised contemporary cabinetry, every corner is nothing less than impressive. As the clients have a strong connection with art, sculptor Peter Cole was engaged to custom design elements within the home, including the organic island bench legs, draw pulls and shelves in the kitchen and master ensuite.

The final house is a product of a client with a penchant for a classic eclectic style combined with an architect who has an expert grasp on minimal design approach and aesthetic. Uniting soothing materials and the client’s personal touches, this home is indeed something lovely to come home to.

Pops of duck egg blue used in various furniture pieces and cabinetry adds the perfect softness and contrast to the rather monochromatic colour palette.