• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australiaโ€™s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      Weโ€™re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesnโ€™t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • AFTER lounge room1980’s arch inspires amazing apartment before and after
    • AFTER lounge80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other peopleโ€™s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether youโ€™re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • EnsuiteLuxury lakeside living on NSW South Coast: A fab reno
    • AFTER lounge room1980’s arch inspires amazing apartment before and after
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? Weโ€™re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • BathroomNew Kmart homewares range one of its best yet!
    • Soffle_Nina-Szewczyk3How to decorate your rental home in a damage-free way
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jenโ€™s a legitimate interiors addict, sheโ€™s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the countryโ€™s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • BedroomFormer Block twins Alisa & Lysandra’s latest project
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      Weโ€™re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks youโ€™ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • 0Q7A5539Foodie Friday: Confit salmon with preserved lemon & pomegranate
    • Burrawang HouseNew Hamptons style luxury retreat in the NSW Southern Highlands
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Sophisticated Melbourne home an ode to its owners’ Italian roots

Leave a Comment

FacebookPinEmailTweet

While people often argue that dark houses feel small, Melbourneโ€™s Splinter Society would beg to differ. โ€œWe use dark colours as a way of focussing attention and framing things. With light colours, everything is washed out and in your face. With dark colours you have more control over what is highlighted – itโ€™s all about creating theatre, intimacy and atmosphere,โ€ says director Chris Stanley. He adds that playing with natural and artificial light is key to the aesthetic which is demonstrated beautifully in this Brunswick East renovation and extension.

Lounge
A skylight floods the moody lounge room with light. A joinery unit separates it from the kitchen.

Home to a family of five, this small but perfectly formed abode sits on a narrow 4.5-metre-wide block inside a classic single fronted Victorian terrace. Affectionately named Villa Italia in reference to the ownersโ€™ Italian heritage, the designers attempted to distill classic Italian qualities into the home. โ€œOur clients are classically Italian in every way. They love simple beautiful things, food, they are very hospitable, and the house is always immaculately clean and well presented,โ€ says Chris.

Kitchen
Green marble features in the kitchen

โ€œThe house is very well put together and itโ€™s designed to host people despite being on the smaller side. Australians donโ€™t cope with living in such squishy spaces because weโ€™re not used to it, but Europeans are much better at it. Iโ€™ve found that people can be very fulfilled in small spaces,โ€ says Chris who explains that the family decided to sacrifice extra space to stay in the inner city.

Lounge
Lounge room

A carefully curated open plan space, the kitchen, dining and lounge areas are all designed to serve multiple functions โ€“ various seating and dining configurations have been composed to accommodate gatherings with the owners’ large Italian family. For instance, the banquette in the dining area doubles as soft seating for the living area.

โ€œThe family eat around the kitchen bench every night โ€“ itโ€™s the centrepiece of the home and the โ€˜diningโ€™ area is used when friends come over. The kids sit at the bar and the adults at the dining table when entertaining,โ€ says Chris.

Kitchen and lounge
Kitchen and lounge. Adding another layer of texture, the ceiling features limewash paint applied with a horsehair brush.
Dining
Dining. Natural light filters through the central stair behind.

The sophisticated materials palette references the patina of an archetypal Italian village with layered fresco finishes on the walls, bespoke upholstery, textured stonework and parquet timber flooring. Moments of colour are incorporated through the interiors also with with emerald, aquamarine and lapis shades taking centre stage.

Master bedroom
Master bedroom
Ensuite
Ensuite

โ€œDrawing on the clientsโ€™ heritage, the redesign is guided by qualities often associated with Italian brands: fine craftsmanship, sophistication, elegance, and a touch of luxury.โ€

The front of the home
Then front of the home

Photography: Sharyn Cairns

For more on Splinter Society

Black kitchens: Top tips on how to create one
Written by Anne-marie Burian Once considered a daring choice, fast forward to 2021 and black kitchens are becoming an increasingly…
Architect profile: Splinter Society
When Asha Nicholas and Chris Stanley met one another while studying architecture at Melbourne University, they were determined to join…

FacebookPinEmailTweet

December 6, 2022

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Ailanto The best new interior finds for kids + designer chair giveaway!
  • Lounge room 90’s era abode now bold and fun holiday home
  • Ensuite Luxury lakeside living on NSW South Coast: A fab reno
  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home

Follow us on Instagram

Win a long weekend away for up to six people at th Win a long weekend away for up to six people at the divine @waukivoryestate near Gloucester NSW. Includes late 5pm checkout on the final day ๐ŸŽ‰

Redeemable in February or March 2023.

To enter, simply like this post, follow @waukivoryestate and @interiorsaddict and tag three friends you would love to take with you in the comments.

One entry per person. Entries close midnight Sydney time on Tuesday 14 February.

I've stayed here with my family and the serenity is glorious! There's donkeys! And a firepit! And views and peace for days.

Prize is not redeemable for cash, transferrable to someone else or to be used outside of February/March 2023. The giveaway is in no way associated with or endorsed by Instagram.
New @kmartaus home has dropped! Hit up the link i New @kmartaus home has dropped!

Hit up the link in bio for more and links to buy. Enjoy!

#kmarthack #kmarthome #kmartaus #kmartstyling #kmartaustralia #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bargainhomewares #bargainbuys
Take a scroll through the stunning new art on line Take a scroll through the stunning new art on linen collab from @grottilotti and @linen_house We love it! โค๏ธ

And even if you're not in the market for new linen, the bird cushions would look fab on a sofa. The pink one might be finding its way to my house...

More info on the homepage now via link in bio.

#grottilotti #artistcollaboration #australianartist #australianart #australianartists #bedlinen #linenhouse #boldbedroom #colourfulbedroom #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #bedroomrefresh #bedroomgoals๐Ÿ˜ #linenaddict  #cockatoos #australianbirdsofinstagram
I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scal I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scallop design and colour pop of these lampshades from new brand @soffle_lights 

Read founder Sophie Cartwright's top tips for transforming your rental home on the blog now. Via link in bio.

Which colour is your fave?!

#lampshademaker #lampshadedesign #lampshademaking #floorlamps #lampshades #scalloped #sofflelights #lightingdecor #rentaldecor #rentalhome #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

Take the tour on the blog now. Via link in bio.

#neutralhome #neutralhomedecor #bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #builtinbunkbeds #skylights #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #holidayhousesofinstagram #nswsouthcoast #wollongong #wollongonghomes

@projection_build @lumiere_collective @shersonarchitecture 
๐Ÿ“ท@the.palm.co
Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

#kidsroomstyling #kidswallpaper #playmats #feedingchair #nursingchair #nurseryroomdecor #washablerugs #washablerug #bouclechair #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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. 

โ€œI 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.

"Iโ€™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 โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @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?
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

More from Real Renos

Ensuite

Luxury lakeside living on NSW South Coast: A fab reno

AFTER lounge room

1980’s arch inspires amazing apartment before and after

Lounge room

90’s era abode now bold and fun holiday home

AFTER lounge

80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home

AFTER kitchen

Kitchen reno proves space planning just as important as finishes

Selleys bring out the perfect addition for matt bathrooms

Kitchen

Tired apartment becomes luxe home with improved floorplan

Bedroom

Art and colour star in cottage reno inspired by Kit Kemp

Before and after: how to make the most of compact living

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP ยท Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!