Houzz Tour: Dilapidated Unit Goes Back to the Future in Retro Revamp
A pokey two-bedder gets the face lift it deserves without departing too far from its 1960s roots
Joanna Tovia
14 July 2015
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
Apartment renovations often result in a more open and modern space, but it can be tempting to refurbish without regard for the building in which it resides. This fifth floor apartment – built in the 1960s – certainly needed opening up to make it lighter, brighter and far more liveable, but Mr Mitchell interior designer Andrew Mitchell resisted the urge to depart too radically from its origins when it came to the decor.
“We wanted to make some reference to the retro era of the building and give the apartment a clean, fresh and airy contemporary appeal,” Mitchell says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Guests of a busy professional couple and their 3 children
Location: South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Size: 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
“We wanted to make some reference to the retro era of the building and give the apartment a clean, fresh and airy contemporary appeal,” Mitchell says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Guests of a busy professional couple and their 3 children
Location: South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Size: 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
The owners loved the northern aspect and city views from the apartment, and it was a smart investment in an area that continues to improve in value. The family’s main home is in the same suburb – they bought the unit primarily as a place for friends and family to be able to stay – but its small rooms and dated decor desperately needed a rethink. Although the kitchen and bathroom had been renovated in the past, they were neither serviceable nor stylish, and the layout didn’t take advantage of the sweeping city views.
Mitchell knocked down all the walls in the main living areas and opted for lovely limed oak boards throughout to unite the updated kitchen and bathrooms with the bedrooms, living and dining area.
Artwork: Christopher Dolman (right), Juan Ford Triptych (far wall); Sabrina solid oak side tables: Zuster; Gold vase: Meizai
Mitchell knocked down all the walls in the main living areas and opted for lovely limed oak boards throughout to unite the updated kitchen and bathrooms with the bedrooms, living and dining area.
Artwork: Christopher Dolman (right), Juan Ford Triptych (far wall); Sabrina solid oak side tables: Zuster; Gold vase: Meizai
The retro theme plays out subtly throughout the apartment with the help of colour, pattern and form.
Side table: Temperature Design; planter: Fenton & Fenton; floor lamp: Space Furniture
Side table: Temperature Design; planter: Fenton & Fenton; floor lamp: Space Furniture
The spectacular dining banquette sits in the middle of the living space. “It allowed us to introduce the macramé screen, which is a fun reference to the retro era of the apartment,” Mitchell says.
Macramé screen: Smalltown; Pellan banquette seating fabric in ‘Dove’: Austex; Coco pendant: Corporate Culture; Corian tabletop in ‘Glacier white’: Pro Solid
Macramé screen: Smalltown; Pellan banquette seating fabric in ‘Dove’: Austex; Coco pendant: Corporate Culture; Corian tabletop in ‘Glacier white’: Pro Solid
Construction in a small apartment on the fifth floor is never an easy task, but installing a banquette this size proved to be the biggest challenge of the project.
“The banquette had to be winched in by hand up a central light well through the middle of the building,” Mitchell says. “Keeping neighbours happy, placating the body corporate and meeting council regulations were all challenges in their own right!”
“The banquette had to be winched in by hand up a central light well through the middle of the building,” Mitchell says. “Keeping neighbours happy, placating the body corporate and meeting council regulations were all challenges in their own right!”
The macramé screen was a true labour of love for artist Sarah Parkes of Smalltown. It was handcrafted offsite and installed over the course of a full day by Sarah and her partner.
“The banquette is a real focal point of the property,” Mitchell says. “It is visible from the moment you enter the apartment, and provides an intimate place for family gatherings, or a quiet place to read the paper and take in the expansive views.”
Timber tray, jug and glasses: Zuster
“The banquette is a real focal point of the property,” Mitchell says. “It is visible from the moment you enter the apartment, and provides an intimate place for family gatherings, or a quiet place to read the paper and take in the expansive views.”
Timber tray, jug and glasses: Zuster
Playful wallpaper by Cole & Son from Radford wraps around the central structural wall, again referencing a slight retro aesthetic.
The kitchen was updated with interstate guests and visiting family members in mind.
European oak flooring in ‘Smoked oak & lime’ finish: Timberland; Quantum Quartz benchtops in ‘Alpine white’: European Marble Centre
European oak flooring in ‘Smoked oak & lime’ finish: Timberland; Quantum Quartz benchtops in ‘Alpine white’: European Marble Centre
The bedrooms are just as stylish as the rest of the abode. Mr Mitchell custom made this bedhead with fabric in ‘Peacock’ from Unique Fabrics.
Lamp: Space Furniture; throw: Abode
Lamp: Space Furniture; throw: Abode
Here is a closer look…
The feature wall is a modern take on a retro theme and adds real appeal to this simple but inviting bathroom.
Timber stool: Temperature Design; feature wall tiles: Academy Tiles
Timber stool: Temperature Design; feature wall tiles: Academy Tiles
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Wonderfully welcoming and playful.
Totally love this makeover - Brave and fun
Love the dining banquet- I'm designing one for our new home so loving any inspiration I can find ! Beaut !