This week we introduce “Open House”. Or Real Estate Porn as we affectionately like to refer to it at Est HQ. Homes for sale that you can fantasise about buying, or if your in the market cough up and make your dreams a reality. Be sure to let us know if you do buy though – we’d love to come back and do a ‘take two’ with the new owners!
We’re kicking things off this week with one of our favourite homes for sale in the leafy inner city suburb of Malvern, in Melbourne, Victoria Australia. Thanks to Estate Agents, RT Edgar, we were introduced to the current home owners, who were only to happy to give est an exclusive and intimate “Open House” tour. They spent an afternoon discussing style, renovating, floral colour preference and the perks of living in the highly sought after suburb.
We did get a little wistful shooting this dreamy home, imagining long lunches and fabulous parties in this “entertainers delight’. (Thats real estate speak for ‘great party house’ don’t-ya know?)
Who lives here?
Dani a homemaker & Marcus who is in the security business with daughters, Bec (21) a fashion design student, Bella (19) a graphic design student and part time foodie along with Cocker Spaniels Charlie & Lucas.
How long have you lived here?
Almost 3 years.
What do you love about your home and the area you live in?
The house is in a quiet street, close to all of the areas great amenities (shopping, restauants & cafes) and offers a perfect mix of period features and modern ‘easy’ living. We’ve always loved a period home with white walls a dark floorboards with a modern edge.
How would you describe your home’s style?
It’s a classic Edwardian home with a modern extension that seamlessly flows out into the backyard. We like to think the decor is stylish, but, relaxed and inviting. We aimed for a crisp, but, relaxed ‘New York style’ townhouse feel. We think it’s a wonderful home for easy relaxed entertaining with friends and family.
What do you love about your home?
The first thing that attracted us to this home when we bough it was the wide entrance hall, crisp white walls with high ceilings, high period skirting boards and architraves and the wide oak floor boards that lead through to the main living area. We also love the stackable frameless glass doors that open right out to the outdoor entertaining and pool area. It’s great to open the house up and let the garden in on breezy Summer days and having the girls’ rooms upstairs with their own living/TV area works so well. We love the front sitting room too as it is a nice quiet retreat with a leafy outlook.
Where do you go to walk the dogs?
Union Park in Armadale is a nice spot close by with a real neighbourhood vibe.
How long has it taken to pull the look of your home together?
We pretty much had it looking the way we wanted it in the first few months, but we do keep adding and subtracting various ornaments, lamps, artworks etc. All our homes over the years have continued to evolve as our kids have grown and our lifestyle has changed with time.
Where is your go to cafe for a family breakfast and what do you always order?
We love cafe Eden in Glenferrie Road, Malvern. Everything is great on the menu, but the Challah French Toast is an absolute stand out.
Where do you find inspiration?
We have enjoyed travelling over the years and tried to embed a relaxed / holiday lifestyle into our everyday life and decor. We have spent a lot of time at our beach house on the Mornington Peninsula and also in Bali and Hawaii – so that whole indoor / outdoor beach side living works for us. We are perpetual house hunters and enjoy seeing what’s on the market and what works from a living / lifestyle point of view. Dani is usually in charge of the actual interior design and Marcus is the one that focuses on functionality. Our good friend, Ian Archibald from Decollo Interior Design is someone we trust to help with major design decisions.
What’s the best thing about living here?
Having a home that works so well for our family which helps to keep our now grown-up girls at home with us. It’s a very welcoming environment for our friends as well as our kids and their friends. Living in Melbourne, where we experience all seasons (often in one day), it’s important to create a home that can open up and let the outdoors in when the weather permits, but, be really cozy on those cold winter nights as well.
What is your favourite room in the house?
The open plan kitchen/meals/living area is a great area at all times of day and night, but the front sitting room is a lovely calm retreat.
What decorating advice can you share with readers?
White walls and dark floorboards is a great pallet to start with. Lush dark green foliage in the garden with mass plantings keep things calm and relaxed. If there are flowers we keep them white. Furniture should be kept to a subdued pallet and add colour through artworks, cushions and ornaments. Only have what you love in your home and keep it relaxed and welcoming. And remember homes are for living.
What changes have you made over the past 3 years?
The home was a blank canvas when we moved in which was perfect for us bring in our own design touches. We’ve added extensive window furnishings, floor coverings, a cellar, automatic gates and of course our own touch with the furnishings and artworks. Our process is usually to keep the walls white and then we like to start with the floor coverings followed by the window furnishings. The furniture then starts to build up the pallet and finally we add the artworks to give different areas of the home a bit of impact or a softer feel as the case may be. It’s very important to always consider the relationship of various spaces with the garden outside. We incorporate a ‘green’ outdoor aspect wherever possible.
Rugs – Behruz Studio
Lighting – Mondo Luce, Cavitt & Co
Furniture – Cavitt & Co, Hub, Jardan, Space, Christopher Guy, Grange Joinery (custom pieces)
Outdoor – House of Orange
Artworks – Scott Livesey Galleries, Gould Galleries
PHOTOGRAPHY Tara Pearce
All open inspection dates have now closed for this property. For more information, contact RT Edgar.
