Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Real Melbourne Home
The Real Housewives of Melbourne's Chyka Keebaugh shows off her softer side at home
You may know Chyka Keebaugh from the popular reality TV show The Real Housewives of Melbourne, where viewers can catch a glimpse of her glamorous lifestyle as a successful businesswoman. When the cameras turn off and the drama subsides, Chyka comes home to spend some quality time with her family. She describes her manor-style abode in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne as her happy place. From an enviable wardrobe to a secret stairway, this Housewife’s home boasts features most of us could only dream of.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Chyka and her husband Bruce Keebaugh along with their children Chessie, 21, and BJ, 19
Location: Melbourne
Size: 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a self-sufficient granny flat
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Chyka and her husband Bruce Keebaugh along with their children Chessie, 21, and BJ, 19
Location: Melbourne
Size: 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a self-sufficient granny flat
Chyka and her husband Bruce had been looking for the ideal family home six months before finding their English-style manor in 1998. Having missed out on two other homes at auction, they were determined not to let another one slip through their fingers. After viewing the house, they knew it was the one – it was in an ideal location to raise their kids and had massive potential for renovations. They immediately put in a bid, which was thankfully accepted. “We have loved this house every day since we’ve been here,” says Chyka.
The renovations were extensive, “I don’t think there is an inch of the house that hasn’t been touched,” Chyka admits. To date, new flooring has been laid throughout the entire home and the back of the house was extended with the addition of a living room and open-plan kitchen area. Three new bathrooms were added and the original one was renovated.
The couple also had the home re-wired and repainted three times, and the doorways widened. “I honestly feel like we are always having something done all the time and there is a tradie at our house every week! I love it!” Chyka says.
The couple also had the home re-wired and repainted three times, and the doorways widened. “I honestly feel like we are always having something done all the time and there is a tradie at our house every week! I love it!” Chyka says.
The home is decorated in Chyka’s flawlessly classy style. With eclectic details at every corner, each room has a story to tell. It’s a friendly and cosy atmosphere and there are key features she always tries to keep around. “It’s really important for me to have lots of books and candles and fresh flowers every week,” she says, a fact which is evident when you step into the entryway.
One of Chyka’s favourite features of her home is that it never fails to surprise visitors. Outside, it appears as a grand English-style manor, while the inside is modern, light and layered. She also loves that no matter what mood she’s in, there’s always a room for her to enjoy.
One of Chyka’s favourite features of her home is that it never fails to surprise visitors. Outside, it appears as a grand English-style manor, while the inside is modern, light and layered. She also loves that no matter what mood she’s in, there’s always a room for her to enjoy.
‘The green room’ used to be Bruce’s library and now serves the family as a cosy space during the colder months of the year. With the gas fire and timber panels, Chyka says it has a masculine feel. She regularly finds a member of the family snuggled up in here watching TV on a cold night.
Artwork: Nicholas Harding
Artwork: Nicholas Harding
Another leisurely room in the house is the family’s second living room. Chyka loves this space, and over the years she has decorated it with more and more exotic pieces from around the world. As an avid traveller, Chyka’s favourite places include Morocco, India and Mexico, just a few of the exciting locales from which she has brought back souvenirs, now placed artfully around the house.
“There is so much in the room from my travels… I don’t know how I will ever pack it all up! But I can tell you where every piece comes from.”
Chyka opted for a galley kitchen when the renovations took place and says it works really well in their busy household. The white cabinetry and simple stainless-steel range hood gives the space a clean and modern style. “When we put in the extra-high benches, the builder told me they were too high! However, I think they’re perfect and make the kitchen look bigger than it is,” Chyka says.
“I always have fresh herbs and produce on display and love all my colour-coded China that can be seen in the cabinets – everything is always used,” Chyka says.
Part of the open-plan area of the house is taken up by an informal dining room. This is where the members of the family eat most of their meals. “There is always someone sitting at the table reading the paper, chatting on the phone, eating or having a drink with a friend,” says Chyka. “We have had many interesting conversations around that table and if walls could talk!”
Table and chairs: Perfect Pieces; light: Villa Maison
Table and chairs: Perfect Pieces; light: Villa Maison
Chyka often uses this informal dining space to work on her blog, Chyka Life and Style. She writes about decorating, shares her favourite recipes and tells fun stories from her day-to-day life.
The living room was part of the extension that Chyka and Bruce added on seven years ago. The most striking feature of this space is the generous bank of windows, which allow floods of sunlight to come into the room. “I also love the layering of cushions on the neutral linen couch,” says Chyka, “and the love seat is where you will find me with a dog on either side reading a new magazine.”
Chyka bought this ‘Je T’aime’ sign from a local store called Fenton & Fenton for Bruce’s birthday. It now has pride of place on the bookshelves.
The formal dining room doesn’t get used as much as Chyka hoped it would. It is mostly used for entertaining over winter. The table was a sample bought from Perfect Pieces and the dining chairs were some of the first quality pieces of furniture the couple invested in. Chyka just recently had them covered in a battered leather to fit in with the rest of the dark decor.
Leading up to Bruce and Chyka’s bedroom is a secret stairwell that only the couple use. Chyka adorned the walls with her large collection of family photos. She had them printed in black and white and set in white frames. “I can’t tell you what a nightmare of a job it was, as it’s not an easy place to have a ladder. But it makes me so happy when I walk down the stairs and see an old photo of the kids or my grandparent’s wedding photo!” says Chyka.
The secret stairway entrance can be seen here in the master bedroom in the corner of the room, disguised by mirrored walls.
The couple’s master bedroom has three large windows which let in plenty of light. Neutral colours have been used in here and the bed is the main feature of the room – Chyka wanted the space to be a calm escape for Bruce and herself after a busy day. “I don’t think there is a night that I don’t get into bed and say to Bruce, ‘I love our bed!’ It cost us a fortune but was worth every cent!”
The balcony leads off from the main bedroom. Chyka and Bruce had it added during the renovations as a place for them to relax when Melbourne heats up. “It’s definitely our go-to place for a gin and tonic in summer,” she says.
Chyka gave the outdoor shower to Bruce as a gift and says it’s the perfect place to cool down on a hot day and even at night. “There’s nothing more beautiful than being under the stars,” she says.
Chyka gave the outdoor shower to Bruce as a gift and says it’s the perfect place to cool down on a hot day and even at night. “There’s nothing more beautiful than being under the stars,” she says.
A small room next to the master bedroom, which used to be a guest bedroom, was made into an ensuite for the couple to use. The bathroom was finished in a crisp white paint, giving it a clean, fresh feel.
As those who watch The Real Housewives of Melbourne can attest to, Chyka is one stylish lady! When her son BJ decided to move out into the backyard granny flat, Chyka converted his old room into the ultimate wardrobe. An envious collection of designer clothes, shoes and bags now live in this dream space. “I can’t tell you how happy I am in that room,” says Chyka.
“I have colour coordinated my clothes and accessories and I love that I now wear everything I have because I can find it and see it!” The wardrobe is also fitted with a vanity where Chyka can do her make-up.
Chessie’s bedroom is down the hall and is decorated in her own style. “Chessie is 21 and has very definite ideas about the look and feel of her room,” Chyka says. “She is a little like me in the fact that she loves layering fabrics, pictures and quirky objects.” One of these quirky objects include the fabric antlers, which Chyka sourced from Ruby Star when she was buying Christmas decorations.
Rug: West Elm; bedframe: Ikea
Rug: West Elm; bedframe: Ikea
The backyard was originally largely occupied by a pebble-mix swimming pool, which the couple had removed and filled in. They now use the space to entertain, hosting parties inside a marquee up to six times a years. BJ also has his own space out the back in the granny flat, which is perfectly secluded for when his friends come around for a visit.
TELL US
What do you like about Chyka’s Melbourne home?
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
What do you like about Chyka’s Melbourne home?
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.