Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Funky Artwork Sets the Stage in a Sleek New Melbourne Abode
Smooth lines and bright white interiors showcase stunning family favourites to dramatic effect
It can make sense to bring an interior designer on board along with an architect when you’re building a new home from the ground up and want it to perfectly suit both your taste and lifestyle. When a family of four hired David Edelman Architects to design their new home, they also sought out the expertise of interior design firm Mr Mitchell to bring their home to life.
“The clients wanted a light, bright modernist home that was a canvas for their extensive collection of art,” says Mr Mitchell’s director Andrew Mitchell.
Mitchell suggested white terrazzo floors, white walls and white ceilings to turn the bold and colourful artworks into highlights that punctuate the home. He also incorporated plenty of crisp white cabinetry and extensive use of white Corian for benchtops and customised furniture pieces.
“Custom design dominates throughout the house, with striking light fittings and bespoke furniture items featuring in every room of the house,” Mitchell says. “The home is a true reflection of the clients’ dreams and aspirations. It is unique to them and their lifestyle.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, with their two children
Location: Caulfield, Melbourne, Victoria
Size: 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, media room, 2 dining rooms, office, alfresco dining area and pool
“The clients wanted a light, bright modernist home that was a canvas for their extensive collection of art,” says Mr Mitchell’s director Andrew Mitchell.
Mitchell suggested white terrazzo floors, white walls and white ceilings to turn the bold and colourful artworks into highlights that punctuate the home. He also incorporated plenty of crisp white cabinetry and extensive use of white Corian for benchtops and customised furniture pieces.
“Custom design dominates throughout the house, with striking light fittings and bespoke furniture items featuring in every room of the house,” Mitchell says. “The home is a true reflection of the clients’ dreams and aspirations. It is unique to them and their lifestyle.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, with their two children
Location: Caulfield, Melbourne, Victoria
Size: 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, media room, 2 dining rooms, office, alfresco dining area and pool
The house gives nothing away from the outside, other than an air of exclusivity and cutting-edge style.
Step inside and the interiors are sleek and modern, with an abundance of natural light. Pops of colour are thoughtfully placed to maximise their impact. The dog, however, manages to blend in with the bright, white surrounds.
The homeowners wanted to be able to entertain a crowd, so there are two dining areas in the home, plus an outdoor entertaining zone. This table proved the biggest hurdle for Mr Mitchell designers. “Getting the custom-made 16-seater dining table in the house was a challenge,” Mitchell says. “It had to be craned in and carried by eight men. It will never leave the house!”
Mitchell designed the Corian dining table to not only accommodate 16 guests, but to do so in comfort – there won’t be any banged up knees from table legs in this house. The B&B Italia Febo chairs complement the table brilliantly.
The light over the dining table is an RGB colour-changing pendant from Artemide called the Tian Xia by Carlotta de Bevilacqua.
Missoni string curtains add texture and interest to the ultra-modern interiors.
“The clients are immensely proud of the end result and are appreciative for the role that we played in making their dreams come to life,” Mitchell says.
Missoni cushions add colour in line with those found in artwork throughout the living and dining areas.
This gorgeous rug adds more texture and colour – the perfect choice to soften those modern lines.
Mitchell chose the B&B Italia Ray Sofa, and the lighting and accessories to complement, rather than overshadow, that amazing David Bromley painting.
“Indoor material selection blends to the outdoors to create entertaining areas of impressive proportions,” Mitchell explains. A large mirror reflects the poolside greenery that makes the backyard so lush and inviting.
The custom-designed dressing room is one of the few rooms to depart from the bright white colour palette. Skylights ensure the room is far from dark, however.
The main bedroom features a Dream Bed by Marcel Wanders, and is both elegant and luxurious. Again, the artwork sets the tone; the colours work beautifully together throughout the room.
Even the main bedroom’s balcony is a statement in design, and the ultimate parents’ retreat.
Glass walls and an all-white palette bounce the natural light around this clean fresh bathroom to maximum effect.
Sculptural elements echo the artistic theme found through the home.
There’s room to move in this children’s bedroom. The study area alone combines storage galore with plenty of desk surface area for gadgets and textbooks.
The dining area off the sleek kitchen is a smaller-scale version of the 16-seater. The kitchen is as minimalist as the rest of the home.
Even the drawer storage is beautiful in this house.
And here, as well…
“The home is a true reflection of the clients’ dreams and aspirations,” Mitchell says. “It is unique to them and their lifestyle.”
“The back-lit wall of handmade tumbled grey glass mosaics in the powder room are a truly stunning and unique design statement,” Mitchell says. The niche is a perfect fit for Aesop soap and hand lotion.
The finely textured wallpaper by Elitis (France) complements the glass mosaics perfectly.