This project in Melbourne’s Ascot Vale, started with a small cottage and interior designer Alison Leeder’s dream brief, essentially, “all the things.” Warm and welcoming, colourful and interesting, a mix of mid-century, period and modern touches. The trick was to achieve all this without it turning into a visual overload.
Her clients had a growing family of two young sons (and a third after the renovation was completed), so the aim was to create a practical, modern kitchen, a new bathroom, and the addition of an ensuite.
“The rooms were small, but had fabulously high ceilings and period details throughout. My guiding principle was to make the design feel unexpected yet sympathetic to the home’s Victorian heritage,” Alison explained.
Several original stained-glass windows were retained and served as a great source of inspiration. In the ensuite bathroom, Alison leaned into the green and red stained glass but freshened it up with a pale green and pink colour scheme. “The wallpaper is a distinctly Australian take on classic Victoriana, with flowering gum, gum leaves and parrots. I wanted this space to be a little more sophisticated and serene for the grownups, but still full of life.”
The main bathroom presented a challenge, with only one small highlight window, so it needed to feel bright and happy. “I wanted it to be kid-friendly without being boring,” Alison said. “A colourful, stylised floral wallpaper gave us plenty to work with, and we landed on a green wall colour with a yellow bath that lifts the whole space. It feels youthful and happy.”
The kitchen was the most complex brief. Her clients’ inspiration imagery skewed towards moody drama, so Alison set out to create a little moodiness with a balance of depth and freshness. The whimsical wallpaper from Borastapeter features an inky green background, covered with a profusion of fresh, vibrant flowers. The cabinetry took its cue from the emerald note in the wallpaper.
“To keep the small space feeling crisp, we chose a subdued plain marble for the benchtops and splashback so it didn’t compete with the wallpaper. Then we added a deliberately unexpected pop of magenta on the island with a feature marble. Brushed brass and bronze finishes pull it all together without adding noise.”
Overall, the project is eclectic, but it has a clear point of view. “Pattern-led, colour-forward, but in a way that makes the space feel lively rather than loud.”
Alison, founder of Leeder Interiors, loves creating eclectic, vibrant interiors that won’t look like your neighbours.
Photography: Adam O’Sullivan
