Houzz Tour: A Modern Melbourne Home Finds Its Soul
A scattering of animal prints, organic decor and generous helpings of wood bring personality to an Australian couple's modern home
Interior designer Andrew Mitchell toes the fine line beween design constraint and generosity in this Brighton, Australia, home. Called by clients who wanted to inject their home with more warmth and character, the designer brought in texture and materials without layering in too much old with the new. "Achieving balance between the sleek, modern bones of the house and adding character and soul is not an easy thing to do," says Mitchell. A slow and deliberate introduction of natural materials, including recycled Australian hardwoods and fabrics, softened what used to be a slightly steely interior.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Brighton, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia
Size: 3,660 square feet
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Brighton, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia
Size: 3,660 square feet
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by MR.MITCHELL
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| The modern house gets a surge of warmth from hardwood floors and a rust collage rug. A built-in TV panel hides unsightly wires and cables, minimizing attention on the appliance. Logs add a touch of rustic elegance and some textural contrast in the streamlined, modern room. |
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by MR.MITCHELL
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| Here we see how the collage rug coexists nicely with the floors. The designer opted for just one area rug in this high-traffic entertainment area. "We avoided layering in too many rugs on top of the gorgeous hardwood floors, which we wanted to highlight. They really warm up the space," he says. |
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by MR.MITCHELL
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| From the outside, the home fits neatly into the Brighton area, exhibiting a modern aesthetic with sharp lines and simple materials. "But inside, the house breaks away from the bleakness of a typical minimalist interior with the addition of animal prints, recycled wood and highly textured fabrics," Mitchell says. |
by MR.MITCHELL
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The exaggerated bottom lip of this chair's seat makes the piece part furniture, part sculpture.
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by MR.MITCHELL
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| Bar stools with natural-weave seats, indoor plants and a tropical leaves wallpaper print lend an organic feel to the sleek contemporary kitchen and the connected living room area. |
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by MR.MITCHELL
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Outside, the clients filled in a plunge pool in the rear garden in favor of landscape architect Jack Merlo's bluestone water feature — a stunning curved wall fountain that provides both privacy and serenity in the garden area.
Australian native spotted gumwood was used extensively throughout the garden design, including for the decking and the wall paneling.
Australian native spotted gumwood was used extensively throughout the garden design, including for the decking and the wall paneling.
by MR.MITCHELL
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A custom-designed barbecue hutch made of spotted gum conceals appliances.
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by MR.MITCHELL
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| Bocci pendant lights dangle above a luxurious marble dining table. |
by MR.MITCHELL
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Look down and notice how the floor's wood grain also delights.
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by MR.MITCHELL
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| Mitchell designed this screen, also made of spotted gum, to gently divide the lounge area from the formal dining table. |
by MR.MITCHELL
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Carefully selected artwork throughout the house reflects the owners' personalities and taste. Included in their eclectic collection is this original David Bromley oil panting, along with traditional artwork sourced from central Australia as well as prints and sketches by John Lennon.
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by MR.MITCHELL
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| Vast amounts of north sun flood into the house in winter, keeping all areas of the house — including this master bath — full of as much natural light as possible. |
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by MR.MITCHELL
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| A plank tray and a few sprigs in a jar warm up a sleek bath, complete with a flush-mounted plasma TV. |
Comments
Anita Roll Murals I absolutely love everything about this home! Bravo
10 months ago · Like
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midmodfan The curved wall / water feature and the concealed barbecue niche are extraordinary. Beautiful home!
10 months ago · Like
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smoore That barbecue "hutch" is pure genius! Great home.
10 months ago · Like
ababe311 I want to be there.
10 months ago · Like
newmouse The integration of the garden and interior - as seen in the first picture- is incredible.
10 months ago · Like
zmekker Any chance we could get the species of the hardwoods used in the kitchen and living areas?
10 months ago · Like
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junipergirl Knowing the area, it'll be priced waaaaay beyond what it should be! Trendy but 'old money' area. Nice place. Would have like to have seen the exterior though.
10 months ago · Like
portpiro Exquisite taste and lots of wow factor but where is the warmth the clients wanted? I can admire a house like this for the clever design and the money that has gone into it but I can't shake the feeling that it's all about impressing others and not really about living. It looks like a house done by an interior designer or an architect; not like a home.
10 months ago · Like
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melbourne_mum Are the kitchen cupboards grey or white? Are the countertop and splashback the same material? Caesarstone? What colour? Thnx
10 months ago · Like
Isabelle Paquin I love the contrast of the cold straight lines created by the black & grey structure, mixed with the warmth of the curved wood structure! Perfect touch!
10 months ago · Like
mrinali Love this house, especially the lites in the dining room n the screen separating the dining area from the living. lovely place
10 months ago · Like
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niecee I WANT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥
10 months ago · Like
ARTnBED Love the artwork
10 months ago · Like
mona1964 Love the local melbourne story
10 months ago · Like
Ju this is done very well!!!
9 months ago · Like
mrsomergozen Exotic and Chic
3 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Aug. 29, 2012.
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