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A Stunning Interior on a $25k Budget? See How a Designer Did It
Beautifully renovated but cold and lacking in cohesion, this Victorian terrace was crying out for a designer's touch
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation, redesign or new build each week. Here, Kirsty Ristevski, interior designer and creative director at Furnishd, reveals how she brought the interior of a renovated Victorian terrace to life on a tight budget for a Melbourne family of four.
The dining area before works.
How would you describe the house?
This home is a beautifully renovated double-storey Victorian terrace. The architectural makeover blends the home’s stunning period features with bold industrial elements.
What wasn’t working for the client?
Our client tried to furnish the home herself, but found that between her busy career and full family life, she just didn’t have the time to source and shop for the perfect pieces – especially without knowing for sure how everything would look together once it was in the space.
How would you describe the house?
This home is a beautifully renovated double-storey Victorian terrace. The architectural makeover blends the home’s stunning period features with bold industrial elements.
What wasn’t working for the client?
Our client tried to furnish the home herself, but found that between her busy career and full family life, she just didn’t have the time to source and shop for the perfect pieces – especially without knowing for sure how everything would look together once it was in the space.
The living area before works.
What was your brief?
To bring the home to life with furnishings after the renovation was completed. Our objective was to enhance the beautiful architecture, elevating the spaces with warmth and character, while incorporating luxurious, modern touches.
Our client’s main goal was for the home to feel warm and inviting, while being practical for living life as a family with kids and a cat. She wanted the interior styling to enhance the structure of the home, without overpowering it.
Inspired to redecorate your own home? Find a local interior designer or decorator on Houzz
What was your brief?
To bring the home to life with furnishings after the renovation was completed. Our objective was to enhance the beautiful architecture, elevating the spaces with warmth and character, while incorporating luxurious, modern touches.
Our client’s main goal was for the home to feel warm and inviting, while being practical for living life as a family with kids and a cat. She wanted the interior styling to enhance the structure of the home, without overpowering it.
Inspired to redecorate your own home? Find a local interior designer or decorator on Houzz
The living area after works.
What were the client’s must-haves?
Our client wanted a home that she could be proud to entertain in, which would also provide a relaxing sanctuary for the family.
The design had to have some wow factor, while being practical for family life and working with the home’s architectural elements.
What were the client’s must-haves?
Our client wanted a home that she could be proud to entertain in, which would also provide a relaxing sanctuary for the family.
The design had to have some wow factor, while being practical for family life and working with the home’s architectural elements.
The living area before works.
What was your scope of works?
To furnish and style the entry, downstairs open-plan dining and living room through to the outdoor courtyard, upstairs landing and living area.
What was your scope of works?
To furnish and style the entry, downstairs open-plan dining and living room through to the outdoor courtyard, upstairs landing and living area.
The green wall in the lightwell viewed from the dining area before works.
What was the budget?
Around AU$25,000.
Where did most of it go?
On anchor pieces on the ground floor: the King Living Zaza sofa in Amalfi Nutmeg, the Tully Round dining table and Mimi dining chairs from GlobeWest, and an artwork by Australian artist Clare Dubina.
What was the budget?
Around AU$25,000.
Where did most of it go?
On anchor pieces on the ground floor: the King Living Zaza sofa in Amalfi Nutmeg, the Tully Round dining table and Mimi dining chairs from GlobeWest, and an artwork by Australian artist Clare Dubina.
The living area before works.
What was gained?
The client’s family home has now been taken to a new level for daily life and for entertaining friends and family.
The home has found the perfect balance between style and practicality. Not only is the design beautiful, but our client now feels proud to call this space her own.
What was gained?
The client’s family home has now been taken to a new level for daily life and for entertaining friends and family.
The home has found the perfect balance between style and practicality. Not only is the design beautiful, but our client now feels proud to call this space her own.
The dining area and kitchen before works.
The dining area and kitchen after works.
What look and feel did you want to create?
The aim for the entry was to create a calming space for my client and her family to pass through whenever they entered or left their home, taking inspiration from natural landscapes.
We also wanted to create a little wow factor as you walk through the home – the idea of walking down an entry hall that opens up to a beautiful open-plan living space with special features. We see this in how the way the burnt-rust velvet dining chairs and dark wooden dining table contrast with the green wall in the lightwell, which creates an incredible moment.
What look and feel did you want to create?
The aim for the entry was to create a calming space for my client and her family to pass through whenever they entered or left their home, taking inspiration from natural landscapes.
We also wanted to create a little wow factor as you walk through the home – the idea of walking down an entry hall that opens up to a beautiful open-plan living space with special features. We see this in how the way the burnt-rust velvet dining chairs and dark wooden dining table contrast with the green wall in the lightwell, which creates an incredible moment.
Tell us about the living area
When it came to the living room, we knew that King Living’s Zaza sofa in a textural fabric would suit the brief perfectly. It provides luxurious comfort, while being sophisticated and practical enough for family life. This piece really anchored the space.
When it came to the living room, we knew that King Living’s Zaza sofa in a textural fabric would suit the brief perfectly. It provides luxurious comfort, while being sophisticated and practical enough for family life. This piece really anchored the space.
The custom artwork by talented local artist Clare Dubina ties together the living and dining areas within this open-plan area.
What was your thinking behind the colour and materials palette?
Earthy tones and contrasting textures that inject personality and warmth into an otherwise cool, architectural space.
Earthy tones and contrasting textures that inject personality and warmth into an otherwise cool, architectural space.
Tell us about the dining area
We introduced a circular dining table to create better flow within the space, paired with plush and comfortable dining chairs to inject some wow factor and to create contrast with the green wall in the lightwell.
We introduced a circular dining table to create better flow within the space, paired with plush and comfortable dining chairs to inject some wow factor and to create contrast with the green wall in the lightwell.
What challenges did you have to work around?
Being an inner-city, single-fronted terrace, space was tight. Also, the home had a neutral, monochromatic backdrop with concrete floors that really needed warming up.
Being an inner-city, single-fronted terrace, space was tight. Also, the home had a neutral, monochromatic backdrop with concrete floors that really needed warming up.
The hallway before works.
A view into the hallway after works.
What are the defining features of the house now?
What are the defining features of the house now?
- The striking contrast between the rust-coloured dining chairs and the green wall outside.
- Custom local artwork that complements the home’s incredible architecture.
- The elegant lines and rich, textural fabric of the sofa.
Why do you think it works so well?
The whole home works so beautifully as nothing is trying to overpower anything else.
It feels calm, balanced and the styling creates those exciting little moments as you move through the house.
The whole home works so beautifully as nothing is trying to overpower anything else.
It feels calm, balanced and the styling creates those exciting little moments as you move through the house.
The upstairs landing after works.
Furniture and art
First-floor landing:
Furniture and art
First-floor landing:
- The Cullin Design Fluted bench seat.
- Artwork: Night Daisy I at Greenhouse Interiors.
- GlobeWest Mason console table.
- Warranbrooke Bjorn Arch mirror in Dove.
- Warranbrooke framed artworks.
Living area
- Form No 5 artwork by Clare Dubina.
- GlobeWest Sketch Nysse Occasional Chair, side table, Mason Round coffee tables and Natadora Arbor ottoman.
- King Living Zaza 3-seater sofa.
- Aura Home, L&M Home and Marimekko scatter cushions.
Dining area
Your turn
Do you love what the interior designer has done here as much as we do? What’s your favourite feature? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see another impressive decorative redesign? Check out this story: Sydney Houzz: A Dark, Chilly Home Made Warm and Inviting
- GlobeWest Tully Round dining table, Mimi dining chairs in Caramel velvet and marble platter.
- GlobeWest Livorno outdoor dining table and Granada Butterfly chairs.
Your turn
Do you love what the interior designer has done here as much as we do? What’s your favourite feature? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see another impressive decorative redesign? Check out this story: Sydney Houzz: A Dark, Chilly Home Made Warm and Inviting
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Who lives here: A couple with two daughters and a cat
Location: Albert Park, Victoria
House size: Around 140 square metres
Bedrooms and bathrooms: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Budget: Around AU$25,000
Interior designer: Kirsty Ristevski, creative director at Furnishd.
How did you use Houzz Pro for this project?
We used Houzz Pro Mood Boards to create the overall vision for the project.