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Call or Email Tracey between 9am & 5pm on weekdays : 0404 673355
Call or Email Tracey between 9am & 5pm on weekdays : 0404 673355
Photography: Kate Hansen
Interior Design in Reservoir, Melbourne.
In May 2023, I was approached by my clients to revamp their recently acquired Federatin family home, encompassing the hallway, kitchen, living-dining room, and staircase.
The house boasted strikingly high ceilings and preserved features from the federation period. While we aimed to retain some of its character, our focus was on modernizing it. However, the home felt sombre and dim, with the slate flooring absorbing much of the natural light. Additionally, the dark wooden beams in the rear extension contributed to a perception of lower ceilings.
Our goal was to seamlessly blend the old and new sections of the house, infusing it with light and vibrancy to enhance its welcoming ambience.
Key Changes
Upon stepping into the home, I was struck by the soaring ceilings, prompting the need for a grand light fixture to complement the height. The slate flooring absorbed too much of the natural light, necessitating a complete overhaul into an oak wooden floor throughout.
Given the narrowness of the hallway, the concept of a floating console seemed fitting. Crafted from materials used in the kitchen, this bespoke piece ensured consistency in design. An oversized round mirror expanded the perceived space, reflecting the elegance of the light pendant and new black doors. Wainscoting was added to the walls, paying homage to the age and character of the front of the home.
The entrance to the kitchen underwent a dramatic transformation, now adorned with a much taller black archway. Passing through the archway, you enter into the newer part of the home with the kitchen living and dining room. The space is dominated by a series of beams running across the ceiling height. The original dark beams made the space feel much lower than it truly is. The cost to remove these beams, outweighed keeping them and painting them white. I am so pleased that we kept them as they are a huge feature within this home.
The kitchen underwent a substantial transformation, doubling it in size. We completely stripped the kitchen, removed a wall, laid new flooring, and redesigned the floor plan to suit the needs of my clients. We opted for minimal cupboards apart from the pantry, for practical storage. Thoughtful design elements were integrated, including a draining board seamlessly etched into the stone, fully integrated appliances, a thin “Chifley profile” on the cabinetry facades, a mix of brass hardware and a pop of colour (mint Green) used on the isolated island.
The new dining room comfortably accommodates 10 to 12 people, filling the space more effectively than the previous setup. Both the kitchen and the dining room are elegantly zoned with appropriate and decorative light fixtures. Consistency is maintained with barstools and dining chairs featuring bentwood backs and leather seats, harmonising beautifully with each other.
The living room was meticulously designed to complement the existing space. In some images, you’ll notice a deeper beam in the ceiling (near the staircase), which is structural and couldn’t be removed. This lower beam inspired the creation of a separate reading nook with a custom-built curved seat, along with a custom-built bookcase nestled underneath the staircase. The previous fireplace was replaced to accommodate a minimal media wall, featuring a sleek electric fire in its place. Not one cable is on show in this purposefully built design. A generously sized sofa, custom-designed and built specifically for the space, ensures ample seating for my clients, who love to entertain.
“Tracey was amazing to work with. She is approachable, professional and responsive. We were initially unsure about using an interior designer. We are a typical time-poor family. We thought interior designers were expensive and would blow our budget on high end furniture. Then we came across Tracey’s website. She saved us time, headaches, arguments, dreaded furniture shopping, and surprisingly money too! Her fee was more than covered by trade discounts and the furniture was good quality and fit within our budget.
For our renovation she helped us create a home that is timeless, comfortable, beautiful and a joy to be in. Every day we comment on something we love. We were able to achieve this result by working with someone who took the time to understand what we wanted and who collaborated with us to find choices that would work for the whole family. She also went above and beyond to make sure we had pieces we loved and incorporated our ideas. This included designing a custom couch and working with us tirelessly on options for dining chairs and tables. She works very hard behind the scenes to make it an easy process and resolves issues promptly. Just what you need if you have young kids to take care of. If you are thinking of calling Tracey don’t hesitate to reach out and discuss your project with her, you may end up with a space you only dreamed of.”
Bright Side Interiors, located in Forest Hill and led by Tracey Bright, is your destination for top-notch interior design, decoration/styling and project management services. I am dedicated to assisting you in crafting your dream home without any stress or overwhelm. My design ethos revolves around understanding your needs, encouraging collaboration and uncovering the optimal solutions for your project. Backed by over a decade of experience, robust supplier and trade connections, and a consistent history of client satisfaction, you can rely on me to bring your dream home to life.
