Home tour | A minimalist family house in Melbourne
It’s time for another home tour, and today I’m heading all the way over to Australia for a peek at this envy-inducing Melbourne pad.
Set in the North Fitzroy district, it’s an excellent example of how small city spaces can be maximised to suit modern living. It was designed by architectural duo Pipkorn & Kilpatrick, who managed to reconfigure a one-bedroom terrace (once a stable block) into a house big enough for a family of four.
Rather than build over valuable garden space – or chop down the old ash tree in the middle of the plot – the architects enlarged the property by adding an overhanging timber-clad extension to the first floor. Downstairs, they removed internal walls and lifted the height of the ceilings to create an open-plan living area flooded with natural light.
Throughout the house, the warm tones of the wooden doorways and window frames are offset by sleek white walls and swathes of cool grey, including polished concrete walls and worktops. These colours and textures are echoed in the furniture and accessories, which consist of a carefully chosen blend of contemporary Scandinavian pieces and well-worn antiques. Clever built-in storage under the stairs and in kitchen recesses hides away clutter and helps to maintain a calm, minimalist feel.
A few beautiful original features have been preserved, ensuring that a sense of the building’s history remains. I love the arched fireplace in the sitting area, and the white-washed brick walls in the kitchen.
My favourite aspect of this home, though, is the way the interior flows seamlessly into the garden, creating the perfect space for indoor-outdoor living. A slatted fence mirrors the architectural forms of the house, and banks of glass doors open straight onto the patio, which is paved with old bricks salvaged from a demolished chimney. There’s also lots of greenery, both inside and out.
Photography by Martina Gemmola for Est
