Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Inner-City Rental Gets a Designer Touch
Discover the tricks of the trade that turned a great Melbourne rental into the perfect home...
When designer Jessica Viscarde and her partner Ryan moved to Melbourne from interstate two years ago, they had already decided on their ideal suburb: one that was close to the city with plenty of green spaces and a friendly, easygoing sense of community. All that was needed was to set about finding the perfect rental to call home.
Given the design restrictions that renting poses, Jess was all too aware she would be limited in what she could bring to the table, not being able to paint, add wallpaper or update fixtures and finishes. Rather than dwell on this, Jess and Ryan simply searched for a house that had ‘great bones’, in the form of timber floors, natural light, high ceilings, large open-plan living and outdoor spaces. When their current townhouse presented itself, it ticked all these boxes and screamed potential to the couple where others would probably only see oddities and shortcomings. With these fundamentals in place – and Jess’s designer knowhow – they turned a great rental into the perfect home.
Houzz at a glance
Who lives here: Designer Jessica Viscarde, her partner Ryan Ward and their cat Peggy
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Size: Townhouse (2 bedrooms; 1 bathroom)
Given the design restrictions that renting poses, Jess was all too aware she would be limited in what she could bring to the table, not being able to paint, add wallpaper or update fixtures and finishes. Rather than dwell on this, Jess and Ryan simply searched for a house that had ‘great bones’, in the form of timber floors, natural light, high ceilings, large open-plan living and outdoor spaces. When their current townhouse presented itself, it ticked all these boxes and screamed potential to the couple where others would probably only see oddities and shortcomings. With these fundamentals in place – and Jess’s designer knowhow – they turned a great rental into the perfect home.
Houzz at a glance
Who lives here: Designer Jessica Viscarde, her partner Ryan Ward and their cat Peggy
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Size: Townhouse (2 bedrooms; 1 bathroom)
“I really like the open stairs and metal hand railings; it reminds me of a loft or warehouse,” says Jess (pictured).
Karlstad two-seater sofa: IKEA
Karlstad two-seater sofa: IKEA
When renting prevents you from fixing a shelf to the wall, then a great alternative is to add freestanding shelving for all those pieces that are worth displaying.
Cinematic light box: Form Function Style
Cinematic light box: Form Function Style
Jess is a huge fan of using fresh flowers throughout the home, as an inexpensive, simple way to change the look of a room when the mood takes her. “It adds life and much needed greenery and colour to our home,” she says. “I am currently obsessed with tulips. I love their unstructured nature and how they just do their own thing when put in a vase.”
Side table: Globewest; Diamond One black and white cushion: Billy Heckenberg; Stockholm striped cushion: IKEA
More: Bloomin’ Marvellous Ways to Arrange Fresh Spring Flowers
Side table: Globewest; Diamond One black and white cushion: Billy Heckenberg; Stockholm striped cushion: IKEA
More: Bloomin’ Marvellous Ways to Arrange Fresh Spring Flowers
“Our master bedroom is a real blend of styles: contemporary/boho/vintage. It’s a place where I am always introducing colour through linens, cushions and throws,” explains Jess. “Off the bedroom, we have a balcony with city views. I love looking at the mix of old and new rooftops, as it gives a real taste of the urban mix of contemporary apartments, Victorian terraces and cottages that Melbourne has to offer.”
Miners hanging pendant lamp: Cranmore Home; Pillowcases: Urban Outfitters
Miners hanging pendant lamp: Cranmore Home; Pillowcases: Urban Outfitters
Never shying away from a bargain, or the challenge to personalise furniture with her own creative flair, Jess picked up this armchair for $8 from eBay and re-covered the seat with a fabric more to her liking.
Snekkersten floor rug: IKEA; Indigo Lime print in frame: United Artworks; Texta Print Two cushion: Billy Heckenberg
Find out how to reupholster a chair
Snekkersten floor rug: IKEA; Indigo Lime print in frame: United Artworks; Texta Print Two cushion: Billy Heckenberg
Find out how to reupholster a chair
Jess and Ryan are all about infusing their love of the eclectic into their home and mixing the old with the new. This dressing table was bought off eBay from a man in country Victoria who stated in the advertisement that if it wasn’t sold it was destined for the woodpile.
“I am so lucky that Ryan shares my love for having a comfortable, inviting, happy home. I often pick up a bargain off eBay or the local classifieds and then realise it’s on the other side of town. Forever patient, we embark on a road trip together, hauling back items like little bower-birds,” says Jess.
Hand-poured soy candle: Frankie Gusti
“I am so lucky that Ryan shares my love for having a comfortable, inviting, happy home. I often pick up a bargain off eBay or the local classifieds and then realise it’s on the other side of town. Forever patient, we embark on a road trip together, hauling back items like little bower-birds,” says Jess.
Hand-poured soy candle: Frankie Gusti
‘Daiso’ the pig adds a little cuteness and kitsch into the couple’s bedroom.
The guest bedroom pays homage to Jess’s Danish heritage. The Danish flag doubles as a bold focal point for the room, as well as paying tribute to Jess’s Danish grandfather. “The flag is quite dominant, so I’ve styled the rest of the room using a monochrome scheme to keep it simple and stylish,” she explains. “More importantly, it needs to be friendly and inviting for our family and friends when they are visiting Melbourne.”
Gurli throw in grey/black and Lersta floor lamp: IKEA
Gurli throw in grey/black and Lersta floor lamp: IKEA
What could be more welcoming to a house guest after a long day of sightseeing than a cosy bed adorned with beautiful, fresh linen?!
Stockholm black and white cushions: IKEA; Chrysander quilt cover in pure cotton: Cotton House
Stockholm black and white cushions: IKEA; Chrysander quilt cover in pure cotton: Cotton House
One of the design challenges Jess faced was the large recess that linked the dining room to the master bedroom upstairs. She wanted to hang something that would give it a sense of scale. “That’s where our black and white flag comes in!” she says. “Paying homage to my American roots [she was born in Texas] and our love for all things Americana, this flag creates a real talking point and a bit of drama. I’m always game to be a bit daring with my decorating choices, and I’m really pleased with how this turned out. The fact that the flag is black and white ties in well with the furniture and decor of the home.”
Laurent dining chairs in ‘Rusty’: Freedom; Fiddleleaf plant in pot: Fitzroy Nursery
Laurent dining chairs in ‘Rusty’: Freedom; Fiddleleaf plant in pot: Fitzroy Nursery
This is ‘Ryan’s corner’. Creating smaller zones in an open-plan home is a great way to make a more cosy, intimate area like this one to retreat to.
Hektar floor lamp: IKEA; Mr Jones Chair: Freedom; ‘Soriano 1951 Italy’ print in yellow: Form Function Style; Footstool: Ishka
Hektar floor lamp: IKEA; Mr Jones Chair: Freedom; ‘Soriano 1951 Italy’ print in yellow: Form Function Style; Footstool: Ishka
If you can’t beat them, join them! Rather than dwelling on the fact that renting prevents her from changing the cupboards in the kitchen, Jess went out and bought these two second-hand bar stools to complement the timber scheme.
“I adore my Charlie Brown painting that I picked up from a local thrift store,” says Jess. “Charles M Schulz and the Peanuts cartoon are very sentimental in our family, and the colour in this picture is perfect as I have a lot of greens and yellows running through our living area. Charlie provides a real talking point and brings a smile to many faces. I just love him.”
Bookshelf: Ishka; Spun copper finish Industrial Lamp: Birch Living Homewares and Gifts
Bookshelf: Ishka; Spun copper finish Industrial Lamp: Birch Living Homewares and Gifts
Many items in the home have a story behind them, whether they be family heirlooms, bought on travels or picked up second-hand from thrift stores. “I am all about reflecting one’s personality through an interior,” explains Jess. “Your home should tell your story and be filled with the things you love.”
The bakelite clock was handed down to Ryan from his great-grandfather and the Royal Copenhagen polar bears are from Jess’s Danish-Australian grandparents.
The bakelite clock was handed down to Ryan from his great-grandfather and the Royal Copenhagen polar bears are from Jess’s Danish-Australian grandparents.
“We have the luxury of having balcony spaces off each of the bedrooms which provide great vantage points for city views and our neighbourhood,” says Jess.
A festive door all year round! This wreath gives a beautiful pop of vibrant colour contrasted against the blue door, providing an entrance that hints at the creative flair that awaits behind it.
Living close to the city centre usually means having to sacrifice on substantial outdoor living areas. Despite its compact size, Jess and Ryan have made the most of their outdoor spaces, filling every available nook with pot plants, artwork and outdoor furniture to ensure they have somewhere to sit, entertain and barbecue in the summer months.
Circular artwork: Freedom; Yellow pot: Masters
Circular artwork: Freedom; Yellow pot: Masters
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, a rental property provides a permanent fixture that ends up being a very cute design feature. This little shelf, housing the panda pot, came with the house!
‘Pippy’ the watermelon bike is now a feature in the garden.
Jess’s office space leads straight off the kitchen and dining room and is positioned perfectly to take advantage of the natural light that streams in from the large window that showcases the courtyard.
“I made an inspiration board where I can stick magazine tear sheets, fabric and paint samples – basically anything I am finding interesting or that can help me on current projects,” Jess says. “Sometimes I move my larger scale projects to my dining table, which is right next to the office, so it’s a handy and flexible space.”
Office chair and Shorthand desk in white: Freedom
“I made an inspiration board where I can stick magazine tear sheets, fabric and paint samples – basically anything I am finding interesting or that can help me on current projects,” Jess says. “Sometimes I move my larger scale projects to my dining table, which is right next to the office, so it’s a handy and flexible space.”
Office chair and Shorthand desk in white: Freedom
“The vibe and energy of our home is relaxed, welcoming and comfortable,” says Jess. “Our home is forever evolving to keep it fresh and interesting, and I’m always experimenting with new styles and decor – part of the reason I love having an eclectic 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.
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.
Armchair: Globewest; Footstool: Kmart; Concorde floor rug: Freedom