Houzz Tours
Meet My Houzz: John and Angela's Mid-Century-Style Home
A couple with a passion for retro style surround themselves with it day and night
Who said it’s never a good idea to take your work home with you? John Livadas and Angela Santas’ love of – and near-obsession with – collecting all things retro meant that not only did they need a shop to store and sell the vintage pieces they had gathered over time, but also a home that would be spacious enough to display their treasures. Their home steps back in time to when Charles Eames and George Nelson ruled the design world.
SHARE YOUR HOME WITH US
We’d love to meet your home. From photos of your perfectly-styled shelfies to your latest room makeovers, take a snap of your house and post it on Instagram, hashtagging #meetmyhouzz, and you and your home could be featured in an upcoming story.
SHARE YOUR HOME WITH US
We’d love to meet your home. From photos of your perfectly-styled shelfies to your latest room makeovers, take a snap of your house and post it on Instagram, hashtagging #meetmyhouzz, and you and your home could be featured in an upcoming story.
What is your favourite room in the house?
Our favourite part of the house is the open plan kitchen/dining/lounge area. This area is surrounded by large windows, overlooking our backyard and bringing in lots of light. This is the most utilised part of the house. John is often found under a stack of secondhand books, or tinkering with another turntable he has found. I’m usually floating between rooms, catching up on some book work, or taking some time out working on another project.
Our favourite part of the house is the open plan kitchen/dining/lounge area. This area is surrounded by large windows, overlooking our backyard and bringing in lots of light. This is the most utilised part of the house. John is often found under a stack of secondhand books, or tinkering with another turntable he has found. I’m usually floating between rooms, catching up on some book work, or taking some time out working on another project.
Sliding doors lead to our outdoor deck. We love sitting out here for sunny breakfasts, but the best time is our daily pre-dinner drinks/ debrief. With our busy schedule it’s a great chance to chat about our day and plan the week ahead.
Potted plants and a beautiful macrame piece decorate the outdoor patio.
What’s your favourite item in the house?
This changes occasionally, but it all stems from a lounge suite we found online about five years ago. We loved the look, took a punt and subsequently found out it was Brazilian and by a notable designer, Jean Gillon. This set us off on a quest for all things Brazilian, hence our favourite piece at the moment is our beautiful leather chair by another Brazilian designer, Sergio Rodrigues.
This changes occasionally, but it all stems from a lounge suite we found online about five years ago. We loved the look, took a punt and subsequently found out it was Brazilian and by a notable designer, Jean Gillon. This set us off on a quest for all things Brazilian, hence our favourite piece at the moment is our beautiful leather chair by another Brazilian designer, Sergio Rodrigues.
How would you describe your decorating style?
A mix of handcrafted items from the ‘60s and ‘70s – lots of mid-century design and Arts and Crafts influences. We love anything abstract.
A mix of handcrafted items from the ‘60s and ‘70s – lots of mid-century design and Arts and Crafts influences. We love anything abstract.
What’s your hot design tip?
Our tip is to buy well designed pieces. Whatever your style – vintage or new, buy well made, functional pieces. Your home should be a reflection of you, so take the time to find those treasures. It’s fine to mix eras and styles; it will be more satisfying than buying for the sake of filling a space.
Our tip is to buy well designed pieces. Whatever your style – vintage or new, buy well made, functional pieces. Your home should be a reflection of you, so take the time to find those treasures. It’s fine to mix eras and styles; it will be more satisfying than buying for the sake of filling a space.
What decorating lesson have you learned in your experience?
A decorating lesson we have learned, and always impress on our customers, is to buy what you love and don’t try to impose a look.
A decorating lesson we have learned, and always impress on our customers, is to buy what you love and don’t try to impose a look.
The couple have decorated their dining room shelf with Modernist ’70s clear art class vases, a West German ceramic vase by Rimini Blue and a vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (Italy). The Gus McLaren king and queen salt and pepper shakers add to the unique collection, and the wooden abacus was picked up in a vintage market in Old Phuket Town in Thailand.
Another prized possession is the teak dining table and leather sling chairs by Fler Furniture. In the background is a wall-hanging, which Santas was told would have hung in a church in a previous life.
The quintessential mid-century style the couple have decorated the rest of the home with is also embodied in the master bedroom. The bedhead is made of 1960s solid walnut by Jacob Rudowski.
The wooden elements in the room contrast nicely against the green patterned bedlinen from Ikea.
In the kitchen, the original blue tiles add a unique touch of colour to the space. Santas explains they have a love of chunky wooden chopping boards which can be seen here. A ‘60s plastic wall clock contributes to the mid-century theme and was made in Japan.
The concrete donkey planter is another ‘60s purchase and Santas refers to him as their guard dog. “We have on occasion spotted a local toddler visiting him for a pat, with Grandpa in tow,” she says.
Meet My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and New Zealand, and interview the people who inhabit them. If you would like to submit your own home for a tour, simply take a photograph and post it on Instagram hashtagging #meetmyhouzz.
MORE
Meet My Houzz: Lisa Burdus From Rooms by Design
Meet My Houzz: The Coys
Meet My Houzz: The Phangs
Meet My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and New Zealand, and interview the people who inhabit them. If you would like to submit your own home for a tour, simply take a photograph and post it on Instagram hashtagging #meetmyhouzz.
MORE
Meet My Houzz: Lisa Burdus From Rooms by Design
Meet My Houzz: The Coys
Meet My Houzz: The Phangs
We spoke to Santas to find out more about her home.
How did you come across your home?
We found it online and immediately loved the layout. Open-plan, two living zones, three bedrooms and a lovely outdoor deck ticked all the boxes. We had outgrown our last place and needed more space to spread out. Due to the nature of our business (Model No. 143), we are mad collectors of mid-century furniture and decor and needed enough space to house our treasures.
We wanted to be close to our business, so location was another major factor. We’ve both lived in the area for approximately 15 years and couldn’t bring ourselves to move further away. We love north Melbourne – the friends we’ve made, the mix of people, the variety of activity on our doorstep.