A Modern Melbourne Home Finds Its Soul
Interior designer Andrew Mitchell toes the fine line beween style restriction and generosity in this Brighton, Australia, home. Inspired by customers who wanted to inject their house with much more warmth and personality, the designer brought in materials and texture without layering in too much old with the new. “Achieving equilibrium between the slick, contemporary bones of the home and adding personality and soul isn’t a simple thing to do,” says Mitchell. A slow and deliberate introduction of pure materials, including recycled Australian hardwoods and fabrics, softened what was a somewhat steely interior.
in a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Brighton, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia
Size: 3,660 square feet
MR.MITCHELL
The contemporary home gets a surge of heat from hardwood floors and a rust pub carpet. An integrated TV panel hides unsightly wires and cables, reducing focus on the appliance. Logs include a touch of rustic elegance and some textural contrast in the compact, contemporary room.
MR.MITCHELL
Here we see how the collage carpet coexists well with all the floors. The designer opted for only 1 area rug in this high-traffic entertainment area. “We averted layering in too many rugs in addition to the gorgeous hardwood floors, which we wanted to emphasize. They warm up the space,” he states.
MR.MITCHELL
From the exterior, the house fits neatly into the Brighton region, demonstrating a contemporary aesthetic with sharp lines and simple materials. “But inside, the home breaks away from the bleakness of a normal minimalist interior with the addition of animal prints, recycled timber and highly textured fabrics,” Mitchell says.
MR.MITCHELL
The exaggerated bottom lip of the chair’s seat creates the piece part furniture, part sculpture.
MR.MITCHELL
Bar stools with natural-weave chairs, indoor plants and a tropical leaves background print give a natural feel to the slick modern kitchen and the connected living room area.
MR.MITCHELL
Outside, the customers full of a plunge pool at the back garden in favour of landscape architect Jack Merlo’s bluestone water feature — a stunning curved wall fountain that provides both privacy and serenity in the backyard.
Australian native spotted gumwood was utilized extensively throughout the garden layout, including such as the decking and the wall paneling.
MR.MITCHELL
A custom-designed barbecue hutch made from spotted gum hides appliances.
MR.MITCHELL
Bocci pendant lights dangle over a lavish marble dining table.
MR.MITCHELL
Look down and notice how the flooring’s wood grain also delights.
MR.MITCHELL
Mitchell made this display, also made from spotted gum, to gently divide the lounge area from the formal dining table.
MR.MITCHELL
Carefully selected artwork throughout the home reflects the owners’ taste and personalities. Contained in their eclectic collection is that this original David Bromley oil panting, along with traditional artwork sourced from central Australia as well as prints and sketches by John Lennon.
MR.MITCHELL
Vast amounts of north sunlight flood into the home in winter, maintaining all regions of the home — including this master bathroom — filled with as much all-natural light as possible.
MR.MITCHELL
A board tray and a few sprigs in a jar hot up a glossy bath, complete with a flush-mounted plasma TV.