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Period Melbourne home belonging to interior decorator and Home & Away star’s mother

February 13, 2014

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This beautiful period property, bought as the worst house on the best street in Melbourne’s Hawthorn, belongs to interior decorator Charis James, mother of former Home & Away actress Tessa James.

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Charis says designing for yourself, rather than clients, is very different

As a design professional, tackling a serious renovation project which would also become her family’s home and living on site the whole time, was challenging to say the least. “Designing for yourself is very different,” Charis says. “A lot of the designing takes place in your head a long time before the construction begins. As a designer it gives you total control and flexibility to lead with your instincts and change your mind and make decisions on the spot. Prioritising things with the spaces that you know will make all the difference to the final product and not having to convince someone else to spend extra money, means your design isn’t compromised.”

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She and husband Steve purchased the property in 2005 and live here with teenage daughter Candy. “It was full of loads of untapped potential and just the project and location we were looking for.” The 100-year-old Federation home was in original condition and needed a complete renovation and extension added to cater for the family’s lifestyle.

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The original cottage was built in 1913, and has many typical Edwardian and Federation characteristics like unpainted and unrendered red brickwork and a roof line made up of projecting gables, turrets, chimneys and verandahs with timber fretwork. Inside there are 12ft ceilings with original decorative details and original timber flooring. “Although very decorative, it is quite modest compared with the previous Victorian terraces,” Charis says, adding that maintaining the integrity of the original building was essential to its journey into the future. “The history of the home gives it strength and purpose and is a starting point for the design process.”

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The original cottage was completely gutted, leaving only the original features they could salvage. They then started to put it all back together using like for like when they needed to replace, to maintain continuity in the architraves, skirting and ceiling roses.

It is very important to look at the home as a whole when designing, especially when combining a traditional home with a modern extension,” Charis says. “The home needed to be very streamlined and maintain its continuity with main features such as flooring, ceiling height, finishes and colour scheme. It’s essential these elements remain consistent throughout to achieve the right overall balance. Once you have provided this base, the home will flow and each room can then be given its own personality depending on its purpose and its occupants.”

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Charis wanted a home that was eclectic, interesting and forever changing. “The spaces needed to be minimal and open, yet warm and inspiring and a place where, as a family, we could grow and enjoy just being.”

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Daughter Tessa loved the house so much she chose to have her wedding reception there when she married footballer Nate Myles two years ago. “Tess had lived away from home since she was 16 and really just wanted to have everyone she loved celebrate in her family home. Her and Nate wanted a big party so all the guests could just mingle and have a great time. We emptied out all of the furniture from the open plan living areas and brought in cocktail bars, bench seating, candles and chandeliers. It was amazing, the whole house looked magical!”

Charis’ favourite room is the front sitting room (top of post, with framed Bally posters), which was the original dining room. “It has beautiful natural light all day, is small, intimate and perfectly proportioned. It’s filled with all my favourite things and reflects my personality. It also has loads of period details, especially the ceiling and the stain glass windows. It is warm and cosy in the winter with the fireplace going and a quiet space where I can reflect and be content.”

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The whole project took 18 months: six months designing and getting through council, six months renovating the original cottage and six months for the open plan extension. “It has been a dream home for us during this stage of our lives. It was also a dream project and an opportunity to put my stamp on it and expand my skills in all areas of design and construction,” Charis says. “I am always looking for our next dream home! Can’t wait for the next one!”

Charis owns Abbot Kinny Interiors, an interior design practice and homewares store in Park Orchards, VIC. 

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

“I wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"I’m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego – it allowed me to do things that I wouldn’t normally do.”

📷 @tanikablair_photography 

#interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #gemmapeanut #wedonthavetimeforthis #parentingpodcast #parentingpodcasts #holidayhousesofinstagram #cabaritabeach #airbnbstyle #airbnbstyling #colourandpattern #wallpapergoals #patternedtiles #featuretiles #poolgoals #sparkjoy #yocabacaba #boldinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulkitchen
Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys 💗 Me and my boys 💗
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner 💓😁
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting 🤣 Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help ❤️
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarAlex says

    February 13, 2014 at 8:19 am

    Such a gorgeous home. I love the mix of traditional with a modern but cosy touch. Beautiful!

  2. Avatarhena tayeb says

    February 13, 2014 at 10:37 am

    gorgeous space

  3. AvatarZ says

    February 13, 2014 at 7:03 pm

    Wow what a gorgeous home…..thank you so much for sharing. The mix of old and new pieces works beautifully and gives the home real character. I especially love the varied range of pendant lights, the rugs and artwork…..was that a Chloe Planinsek piece in the bedroom I spied? She is a favourite of mine….currently saving to own one of her originals!

  4. AvatarMary-Anne says

    February 15, 2014 at 12:49 am

    Beautiful home, but I particularly love the bar chairs. Anyone any idea where they are from?

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      February 15, 2014 at 10:26 am

      Hi Mary-Anne, I’d suggest contacting Charis via her website (link at end of post) and asking. I’m sure she’d be happy to tell you or even source them for you 🙂

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