Houzz Tour: A White-on-White Home Radiates Scandinavian Charm
Pale woods, black accents and an abundance of white shine in this Australian-Swedish family’s renovated row house
When this young family decided to update its historic Victorian row house in Melbourne, it asked architect Clare Cousins to take inspiration from Scandinavian design — particularly the pared-back, clutter-free style; well-designed furniture made from textured natural materials; and the white backdrops used to reflect light and brighten spaces. The choice wasn’t surprising, given that the owners have close family ties with Sweden.
All of these features contributed to a dramatic about-face for the now beautifully renovated home in the city’s Albert Park neighborhood. In Australia, small, single-fronted, one-story row houses typically present as a series of rooms opening off a narrow hallway that leads to the rear of the property. Within these layout confines, Cousins created a straightforward, practical home with a streamlined look. The purity of the pale interiors and modest materials, as well as the restrained use of black and bright accent colors, suggests a true appreciation of the classic Scandinavian approach to design.
All of these features contributed to a dramatic about-face for the now beautifully renovated home in the city’s Albert Park neighborhood. In Australia, small, single-fronted, one-story row houses typically present as a series of rooms opening off a narrow hallway that leads to the rear of the property. Within these layout confines, Cousins created a straightforward, practical home with a streamlined look. The purity of the pale interiors and modest materials, as well as the restrained use of black and bright accent colors, suggests a true appreciation of the classic Scandinavian approach to design.
The first room off the hallway — originally a third bedroom — has been remade into a study that doubles as a guest bedroom for the owners’ international visitors.
Despite the compact size of the rooms, first impressions are of light, space and uncluttered simplicity. The study houses built-in cabinetry that runs the width of the room and provides double work stations. Ample drawers with practical finger cutouts instead of knobs maximize the space and emphasize the simple lines of the furniture.
Next off the hallway is the children’s bedroom. White-painted vertical wood paneling encases two bunks, whose interior plywood walls have movable pegs for hanging toys. Not an inch of space has been wasted, with deep under-bunk drawers running the length of the wall. The paneling above the bunks also hides storage.
The cabinetry throughout the house, from the study to the bedrooms to the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry, is sleek and fuss-free. Floating the children’s deep storage drawers off the floor keeps the feel of the room light and reveals more of the pale wood floors.
Pine stain: Weiss, Lobadur Procolor Stains
Pine stain: Weiss, Lobadur Procolor Stains
A small suspended desk is tucked in the corner. Beside it is an original fireplace, which backs onto a similar one in the adjacent study. Both are still in working order and have been painted in Pot Belly Black from White Knight. Playful artwork and painted stools add colorful accents.
All paneling and cabinetry was color-matched to the matte-finish whitewashed wood floors. An Ikea Stockholm rug in black and white offsets the wood and the walls, which are painted in Dulux’s White on White.
The next room opening from the hallway is the parents’ bedroom. The original high baseboards and paneled doors add period details to the understated room. Under-bed drawers in pale painted wood employ the same style of cabinetry as in the rest of the house. A spacious walk-in dressing room replaced what was once the laundry room.
The master bathroom in black, gray and white is tiled in Vogue 4-by-4-inch tile in Latte from Classic Ceramics. The grout is Silver Gray (discontinued) from Davco.
Bathtub: Comfort 1700, Rogerseller; shower set, faucets, towel bar and wall hooks in Charcoal Bronze: Astra Walker Icon, Mary Noall
Bathtub: Comfort 1700, Rogerseller; shower set, faucets, towel bar and wall hooks in Charcoal Bronze: Astra Walker Icon, Mary Noall
An all-in-one concrete vanity with sink was custom made and poured in place. The medicine cabinet has the sleek features that characterize all the home’s woodwork.
A second bathroom is directly off the hallway. Adding textural interest to the clean spaces of both bathrooms are terrazzo floor tiles in Carrara TRE/67 from Classic Ceramics. Wall tiles and the faucet and shower set echo those in the master bath.
Tucked beside this bathroom behind white-painted bi-fold wood doors is a compact laundry and shoe storage area.
Tucked beside this bathroom behind white-painted bi-fold wood doors is a compact laundry and shoe storage area.
In the living area, a small floating desk with drawers provides a landing zone.
Floors throughout the living space, hallway, bedrooms and study are whitewashed wood. Joel Carr of construction management company Fido Projects says: “The clients wanted a hard-wearing light wood floor, which eliminated most native Australian hardwoods commonly used. We proposed and installed rock maple, a very hard light wood, in 180-millimeter-wide [7-inch-] boards, whitewashed and with a matte finish.”
Floors: JConcepts
Floors throughout the living space, hallway, bedrooms and study are whitewashed wood. Joel Carr of construction management company Fido Projects says: “The clients wanted a hard-wearing light wood floor, which eliminated most native Australian hardwoods commonly used. We proposed and installed rock maple, a very hard light wood, in 180-millimeter-wide [7-inch-] boards, whitewashed and with a matte finish.”
Floors: JConcepts
In the kitchen, the island’s polished concrete countertop was cantilevered to create an informal dining area at one end. It was poured in place by Concrete by Keenan Harris. “It was somewhat of an engineering challenge,” Carr says. “The woodwork underneath had to be reinforced to support its weight.” The island’s cladding is a standout feature, in vertical half-round Tasmanian oak dowel with a whitewashed finish.
The backsplash and a secondary prep counter containing a Miele five-burner gas cooktop are in gray-white Bianco Carrara marble from CDK Stone. The double wall oven is from Miele.
The backsplash and a secondary prep counter containing a Miele five-burner gas cooktop are in gray-white Bianco Carrara marble from CDK Stone. The double wall oven is from Miele.
Soft-close drawers hide a multitude of practical utensil inserts, compartments and slide-out racks, including this pullout breadboard with crumb catcher.
Internal cabinetry fittings: Blum
Internal cabinetry fittings: Blum
The dining furniture is sturdy but stylish, with a Scandinavian simplicity. It was custom-designed by Clare Cousins Architects and built by Fido Projects.
Wide sliding glass doors connect the space to an outdoor deck with bench seat, which was not changed in the renovation. A slatted wood screen hides the garage and a shed at the alleyway entrance to the house.
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Wide sliding glass doors connect the space to an outdoor deck with bench seat, which was not changed in the renovation. A slatted wood screen hides the garage and a shed at the alleyway entrance to the house.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: A Swedish-Australian family with children ages 3 and 6
Location: Albert Park area of Melbourne, Australia
Size: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Architect and interior designer: Clare Cousins
There was a meeting of the minds between Cousins and the owners, and the project was completed in just seven months. The basic layout of the home — about 16 feet wide and 75 feet long — was retained, with room functions adjusted to suit the family’s needs. “The owners wanted the internal spaces reconfigured to suit their lifestyle, a bedroom suitable for two children to share and materials in a soft Scandinavian palette,” Cousins says.
Aussie meets Scandi at the entrance to the home. The owners retained the ornate stained-glass window with its stylized florals, which is typical of houses in older Australian suburbs.
Bench: Moller bench No. 63 in paper cord and wood, Great Dane Furniture; hangers: Dots, Muuto