Located in a highly prized pocket of inner-Melbourne, this rundown Victorian terrace was styled for sale with a difference recently by Jordanka Kuzmanov of Reworke. Originally taken to market empty, the agent felt it looked a bit harsh and so Jordanka’s services were enlisted to generate interest. And she did so by making it look more art gallery than show home.
“Originally they wanted the home staged like a normal house, but I didn’t think that would work,” says Jordanka. Tight and dark spaces, outdated fixtures, confusing floor plans and rooms cluttered with impractical furniture were just some of the challenges faced. So, given the house needed a lot of love (it didn’t even have a kitchen!) Jordanka came at the project with a novel approach.
“Rather than use traditional furniture staging to style the rooms and fade the flaws, I convinced the selling agent that the best approach, to generate interest in the property, was to completely reimagine the space,” says Jordanka. She styled the property with vintage finds, DIY pieces, hired items, art and her own styling inventory to create a unique result that saw the terrace reborn as an artful, gallery-like space that highlights the bones of the historic building.
To make the project even more challenging, the work had to be done while Melbourne was in stage-four COVID-19 lockdown; styling pieces were sourced online and over the phone. “The dining room chairs were vintage – I purchased them online and then painted and distressed them,” says Jordanka.
“I wanted it to be a bit eclectic and unexpected. A lot of the selections simply came down to what I could find and then I just had to figure out how I could piece it together. I wanted to warm it up with colour, but I couldn’t over style it either.”
A highlight of the home, Jordanka’s strong artwork choices were comprised of some DIY pieces and a couple of statement photographic prints hired from Studio Gallery. In one of the rooms, a piece of pink linen was stretched to create a sizeable pop of colour and Jordanka paired it with a gorgeous original mid-century Dutch chaise that had been restored and reupholstered.
“Ultimately we were certain that the interest generated by a unique styling approach would unearth a buyer that would appreciate the incredible potential of the home.”
And it did, with the home selling last week for more than $2.1m, $206k over the reserve! “Everyone was extremely happy with the result,” Jordana said.
For more on Jordanka and Reworke
Check out the property’s real estate listing
Photography: Jason Reekie
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