Situated in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote, this Victorian family home was renovated recently with a big emphasis on colour — beige was most certainly banned!
“My clients wanted a warm space with lots of colour and pattern to create interesting and fun focal points that expressed the couple’s personality. No beige!” says the home’s designer Fiona Parry-Jones, creative director of Von Haus Design Studio.
“A minimal, industrial feel was referenced to create a modern theme throughout the home. The industrial feel was incorporated through materials such as timber in the bathroom benches and lighting in the kitchen and kids’ rooms,” says Fiona who continued the theme in the fabulous kitchen where hexagon tiles (in natural stone) are paired with matte black cabinets and concrete-look composite stone benches.
As for her favourite part of the renovation, Fiona is particularly enamoured with the kitchen. “All the ideas for the colour palette started from this room and flowed on from there. I love the warmth of the tiles and the variation in the hexagon pattern. The black matt cabinetry really stands out against the tiles and bench top and contrasts nicely with the timber flooring and stools too.”
Obviously the home features bold use of colour and nowhere more so than the children’s retreat space. “I got the kids involved by getting them to create the artwork for the walls and made it a zone purely for their activities and craft,” says Fiona who created plenty of storage for books and toys and sliding doors so the room (and mess!) can be easily concealed. “That said, my clients didn’t want it to be too neat looking and wanted it to reflect their kids’ personalities.”
Another of the home’s most distinct features is the alfresco wall mural that was created by the Melbourne graffiti artist O.G.2.3.
“The owner Vicky, was particularly inspired by graffiti art on her train travels to work and she made it her mission to source an artist for the commission,” says Fiona of the fabulous mural that has personal significance too. “It has the initial of each family member on the wall and really does bring out the fun in this home. It was the final, colourful touch to the home and always makes me smile.”
Photography: Suzi Appel Photography | Styling: Fiona Parry-Jones
See more of Fiona’s work here.
