Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: House of Grand Proportions Seeks Warm Scandi Touch
A large family home uses Scandinavian design influences to ensure character, functionality and easy maintenance
Jim and Vicky were after a home that could cater to their family of six (they have four young children, all of whom are all still in primary school), but also for their big extended Greek family; a home that was the perfect juxtaposition of family, functionality and entertainment. Having worked with Jasmine McClelland of Jasmine McClleland Design before, they enlisted her expertise to turn their generously sized two-storey new build into a warm and welcoming home, perfect for raising a young and active family. The open-plan layout celebrates shared family spaces, ensures ease of movement, and reflects modern Scandinavian design with ‘wow’ factor.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Small business owners, Jim and Vicky, and their 4 young children (includes twins), aged 12, 9 and 7. Plus, 2 small dogs, Scotty and Harry
Location: A 10-minute walk from Mentone Beach, Victoria
Size: 496sqm; 5 bedrooms, study, 2 living areas, powder room, 3 ensuites, swimming pool, tennis court
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Small business owners, Jim and Vicky, and their 4 young children (includes twins), aged 12, 9 and 7. Plus, 2 small dogs, Scotty and Harry
Location: A 10-minute walk from Mentone Beach, Victoria
Size: 496sqm; 5 bedrooms, study, 2 living areas, powder room, 3 ensuites, swimming pool, tennis court
A custom-made staircase is a feature of the home, and can be seen from most of the ground floor. It serves as much as a sculpture as a practicality. It is made of wrought iron with floating, spotted gum treads and a spotted gum landing.
Initially, the homeowners had planned to erect a wall behind the staircase to section off areas of the ground floor. Instead, McClelland suggested a glass wall and sliding door, which still separates the space, but, because it allows the staircase to be viewed from all angles, maintains a sense of openness, all while ensuring downstairs noise does not filter up to the second floor.
Shapes are reflected on the staircase at night by the lights from the second floor.
Initially, the homeowners had planned to erect a wall behind the staircase to section off areas of the ground floor. Instead, McClelland suggested a glass wall and sliding door, which still separates the space, but, because it allows the staircase to be viewed from all angles, maintains a sense of openness, all while ensuring downstairs noise does not filter up to the second floor.
Shapes are reflected on the staircase at night by the lights from the second floor.
Staircase: designed by Jasmine McClelland Design in collaboration with the homeowners
As seen from the staircase, the house features an OmniCourt tennis court. “We had the space, so we decided to install a tennis court to encourage our four children to play outside as much as possible,” says Jim. “The court provides a mud-free yard, even in the winter.”
OmniCourt tennis court: Kevin McNamara
OmniCourt tennis court: Kevin McNamara
The first thing you see when entering the house (you can see the door to the left) is a cladded wall that extends out to help define the living space and nook. “The cladding actually disguises the doorway to the study, as we didn’t want the entrance to open straight onto another door,” says McClelland. Prior to adding the feature cladding, the space was bare and open, and the entrance to the house opened not only onto the study door but straight into the living room.
The study is now accessed through a floor-to-ceiling pivot door built into the cladding, which is all but invisible unless you look for it.
The cladding extends out to form the wall of the lounge room nook seen here. It’s a retreat that Jim and Vicky can escape to while still having a clear view of the children playing, doing their homework or watching television in the adjacent living area. The pendant light from Mondo Luce is a standout feature, even from afar, creating an ambient, warm glow after dark.
Chair: Acapulco
The study is now accessed through a floor-to-ceiling pivot door built into the cladding, which is all but invisible unless you look for it.
The cladding extends out to form the wall of the lounge room nook seen here. It’s a retreat that Jim and Vicky can escape to while still having a clear view of the children playing, doing their homework or watching television in the adjacent living area. The pendant light from Mondo Luce is a standout feature, even from afar, creating an ambient, warm glow after dark.
Chair: Acapulco
The view as you enter the house.
The family room itself is a large, open-plan space that directly adjoins the staircase, kitchen and dining area, and features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, which bring the light and energy of the outdoors in. Jim and Vicky love the fact that they can watch their children playing outside from anywhere in the house.
Leira lights: Surround Interiors
Leira lights: Surround Interiors
Polished concrete flooring is used throughout the house (downstairs and upstairs) and was chosen, first and foremost, because the owners loved the look, but also because it would retain the heat of the house in the winter.
“The balance of textures and colours in the aggregate of the polished concrete flooring were chosen deliberately to soften the effect of the concrete,” says McClelland. “People are often surprised at how warm it looks.”
“The balance of textures and colours in the aggregate of the polished concrete flooring were chosen deliberately to soften the effect of the concrete,” says McClelland. “People are often surprised at how warm it looks.”
To achieve ‘wow factor’ in the powder room, McClelland used cupped circular modern-retro tiles, which provide a dramatic contrast against the white Crest stone basin from Apaiser.
Eclipse tiles in Roja/Red (74202): Academy Tiles; Cosmos pendant light: Mondo Luce
Eclipse tiles in Roja/Red (74202): Academy Tiles; Cosmos pendant light: Mondo Luce
The sheer size of the kitchen and its relationship to the surrounding living spaces was carefully considered in the design. “It was important to create a kitchen that had its own clear style and character whilst not overwhelming the contiguous spaces,” says McClelland.
To ensure this balance, bold, clean lines and modern colours work in harmony with the natural light created by the open plan and floor-to-ceiling windows.
To ensure this balance, bold, clean lines and modern colours work in harmony with the natural light created by the open plan and floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Jim and Vicky wanted this house to be their best and last, so the kitchen had to be built with a focus on enjoyment and longevity,” says McClelland. As a result, the kitchen features zoned cabinetry for functionality, and is fitted throughout with Blum Servo-Drive hardware, “making the day-to-day use of even the most basic features a pleasure.” The addition of an integrated bar is a nod to the homeowners’ love of entertaining.
Undermount sink: Franke Sinks Kubus; tapware: KWC
The custom-made rangehood extends the length of the bench to ensure aesthetic balance and, when partnered with the suspended cantilevered benchtop, creates a visually dynamic room.
Wine fridge: Vintec
Wine fridge: Vintec
Visibility was the biggest challenge when designing the laundry, as the open-plan style of the house meant it could be viewed from the main living space, the kitchen and the pantry area. “It had to have the look of a space designed to be seen,” says McClelland.
The design approach was to turn the laundry into a complementary feature of the overall design of the house, in particular, the adjoining rooms and living spaces. The eye-catching, burnt orange cabinetry makes a statement; it complements the black and veneer found in the kitchen. Cabinetry is fitted with touch latches, ensuring there are no handles or other distractions from what appears from the kitchen as a wall of colour.
Jim and Vicky specifically requested it be easy to use, accessible and practical, so McClelland ensured it included the conveniences of generous storage, an upstairs-downstairs laundry chute, and a lengthy clothes rail for inside drying and hanging, conveniently located above the laundry sink and framed by the burnt orange.
The design approach was to turn the laundry into a complementary feature of the overall design of the house, in particular, the adjoining rooms and living spaces. The eye-catching, burnt orange cabinetry makes a statement; it complements the black and veneer found in the kitchen. Cabinetry is fitted with touch latches, ensuring there are no handles or other distractions from what appears from the kitchen as a wall of colour.
Jim and Vicky specifically requested it be easy to use, accessible and practical, so McClelland ensured it included the conveniences of generous storage, an upstairs-downstairs laundry chute, and a lengthy clothes rail for inside drying and hanging, conveniently located above the laundry sink and framed by the burnt orange.
A 10m-long atrium with an open glass ceiling and concealed floor-to-ceiling storage connects all of the children’s rooms. “It ensures there is a place for everything, even for the toys and treasures of four children!” says McClelland.
A custom-made Danish forest mural by Adelaide Daniell lines the atrium. “It needed something extra to draw attention to it and help those wandering though it to stop, enjoy the light, the sky and the moment,” says McClelland. “This one-off element changed the whole space. It is a lovely balance of design and function, easy to clean and even better, to keep clean.”
Take a closer look at this atrium and watch the mural go up here.
A custom-made Danish forest mural by Adelaide Daniell lines the atrium. “It needed something extra to draw attention to it and help those wandering though it to stop, enjoy the light, the sky and the moment,” says McClelland. “This one-off element changed the whole space. It is a lovely balance of design and function, easy to clean and even better, to keep clean.”
Take a closer look at this atrium and watch the mural go up here.
The master bedroom is also an open-plan space with only one free-standing wall separating the bedroom from the ensuite. “As it is a large room, it was important to choose furnishings and finishes that celebrated the generous scale of the room, but also created a feeling of intimacy,” says McClelland.
Scandinavian wallpaper in green hues softens the room, with the help of a pendant light that casts a pattern on the ceiling and walls, adding further interest to the timber cabinetry.
Bed: designed by Jasmine McClelland Design and custom made by Earl Pinto
Scandinavian wallpaper in green hues softens the room, with the help of a pendant light that casts a pattern on the ceiling and walls, adding further interest to the timber cabinetry.
Bed: designed by Jasmine McClelland Design and custom made by Earl Pinto
The walk-in robe opens into the bedroom and is finished in Briggs Truegrain Caramel Veneer, with black laminate.
A daybed from Tongue & Groove adds a luxurious touch to the adults-only haven.
David Trubride ‘Snowflake’ pendant light: Mondo Luce
A daybed from Tongue & Groove adds a luxurious touch to the adults-only haven.
David Trubride ‘Snowflake’ pendant light: Mondo Luce
Different sized mirrors add interest and further brighten the room.
Wallpaper in ‘Walkotyr’ (11037): Scandinavian Wallpaper and Decor
Wallpaper in ‘Walkotyr’ (11037): Scandinavian Wallpaper and Decor
As the ensuite is connected to the bedroom by open plan, it was important the two spaces interact and complement one another. The veneer and black laminate used in the bedroom also wraps around the ensuite, to create a harmonious flow and unison between the two.
Oval double vanity in ‘Nimbus’: Apaiser; taps: Zucchetti
Touch latch doors and feature boxes provide both practical storage and an element of design. Black edging and shelving softens the cabinetry and gives a sense of completion to the entire space.
The Apaiser bath is elevated on a timber clad platform. David Trubridge pendant lighting was added to specifically create a sense of warmth and play to the space. “The colour chosen for the lighting was also matched to highlight the shades in the Scandinavian wallpaper featured on the nib wall and in the master bedroom,” adds McClelland.
The greys in the vanity and bath, along with the warm colours of the timber platform and veneer, soften the polished concrete floor.
The greys in the vanity and bath, along with the warm colours of the timber platform and veneer, soften the polished concrete floor.
The vintage-look penny tiling feature wall creates interest and intimacy within a large space. The large internal window next to the bath provides a sense of light and play, whilst meeting the need for privacy with its ability to become opaque at the touch of a button.
Ivory matt wall tiles: Beyond Tiles; heated towel rail: Hydrotherm
Ivory matt wall tiles: Beyond Tiles; heated towel rail: Hydrotherm
The sheer proportions and corner block location of the house could have easily overpowered the atypical suburban street, but McClelland says the careful consideration of exterior colour and finishes ensured the house sat comfortably within its environment and was considerate of its surroundings.
“We needed to strike the right balance, which is why we chose a dark charcoal for the stucco/render, dark cedar for the cladding, and a complementary crazy pave bluestone for the feature tower, which leads down to a more structured bluestone driveway,” McClelland says.
“We needed to strike the right balance, which is why we chose a dark charcoal for the stucco/render, dark cedar for the cladding, and a complementary crazy pave bluestone for the feature tower, which leads down to a more structured bluestone driveway,” McClelland says.
The entrance sets the tone of the house with a unique, custom-made copper front door designed by Jasmine McClelland Design, and brought to life by local coppersmith Peter Pankiewicz from Rivendale Copper. Looking closely in between the panels, you can see a slanted cursive pattern, which is a continuous script of the clients’ surname. McClelland says the clients felt it put their personal stamp on the family home.
Outside, a solar and gas heated swimming pool with integrated spa is enjoyed by the family all year round. “The length of the pool also allows for lap training,” adds Jim.
Pool: Domain Pools
Pool: Domain Pools
Warm, bold colours and designer lighting help to create ambience, while timber veneer and spotted gum cladding are used in the entrance, staircase and cabinetry, which can be seen from all areas of the open-plan ground floor.
A suspended fireplace is a lavish final touch and is just one of the reasons this space is a family favourite. “Nothing beats sitting on the couch with a blanket and a good book on a cold, rainy day with the fireplace roaring,” says homeowner Jim.
Gyrofocus fireplace: Focus