Consider it or not, this grand Edwardian residence in Hawthorn has no heritage itemizing and will have simply been demolished. Fortunately, the house owners appreciated its magnificence, and referred to as in WOWOWA to assist reconcile its layered historical past with their imaginative and prescient for a contemporary residence, that embraced the ‘chaos’ – and enjoyable – of contemporary household life.
The house got here with various challenges – a floorplan that featured a number of small rooms, and interiors that felt darkish and chilly as a result of ‘all of the white and gray tones’ left over from a earlier renovation.
WOWOWA Structure director Monique Woodward says the temporary was to reconfigure the house’s present footprint to create appropriate, open dwelling areas for the colourful household of 4. However it was additionally equally vital that their reimagined residence had its personal ‘modern visible language’ that might each complement and distinction the prevailing ornamental manor.
‘Eradicating the “scar tissue” of the earlier alteration opens up a essential area for dwelling, cooking, and eating,’ Monique says. ‘Outlined by curved partitions, expressed metal buildings, cabinets, fireplace and kitchen bench, it’s about being directly separate and collectively.’
The ensuing redesign rigorously prevented tinkering with unique options corresponding to fireplaces and archways, whereas stitching WOWOWA’s playful design strategy into its wealthy interval parts.
‘The color prompts began with the unique structure – sanguine brickwork, gray bluestone, entrance door leadlight of lilacs and greens,’ Monique provides. ‘We have been sort of Tim Tam-ing with the color scheme, aways referring to luscious meals references in our challenge color palettes.’
These concepts have been then translated in new and ingenious methods, utilizing rust colour-blocking throughout the outside, concrete masonry with lilac mortar, and a gradient of heat tones throughout the house’s paving, terrazzo, joinery and paint finishes. In addition they drew inspiration from an Australiana-style color platte for the calming inexperienced hues throughout the kitchen, which ties into the ‘modernist and bush’ gardens by Amanda Oliver.
‘The way in which the embossed terracotta terrace leads out into the backyard feels so Italian. Sauntering out from the kitchen-living-dining throughout a soiree hosted by the shoppers felt such as you have been in a Fellini movie – each fashionable as hell and grand,’ Monique says.
‘This challenge is each homage and embellishment. Restraint and playfulness’ Monique continues, ‘ [it’s] a spot to really feel introverted, a comfortable place for winter days, and has expansive spirit for entertaining.’ A spirited residence, certainly!
