The Location:
Interior Design in Vermont, Melbourne.
The Brief:
In December 2023, my client approached me to assist with the renovation of their impressive double redbrick home, set on approximately 2,600m² of land.
The home’s interior featured extensive exposed red brick, which we agreed felt overwhelming. To honour the brick’s origin—salvaged from Melbourne’s historic shot tower in Melbourne Central—we decided to retain some of its characters while softening the overall look.
Given the scope of the project, we decided to tackle it in two stages. In the first stage, we focused on redesigning the entrance, formal living/office, kitchen-dining area, and rumpus room. The bedrooms will be addressed in stage two at a later date.
My clients envisioned a more modern entrance, incorporating classic and country farmhouse elements throughout the formal living/office and kitchen spaces. Their love for a dark green, modern country-style kitchen inspired the idea to extend this rich colour palette, creating a seamless connection with the lush greenery visible from the outside.
Overview:
- Cover most of the exposed brick while preserving select sections to honour the home’s history.
- Enhance the overall lighting plan with a mix of natural and artificial lighting.
- Improve spatial planning across key areas.
- Create a multifunctional office and formal lounge space with ample storage.
- Expand the kitchen and optimise the space for entertaining.
- Design a more functional kitchen, including fixtures and fittings.
- Retain original features such as the Belfast sink, vintage stove, fireplace, doors, and handles.
- Select window treatments, wall finishes, and updated flooring.
- Complete the furniture and décor fit-out.
The Goal:
When I first visited this property, I was struck by the generous size of the rooms, but the overwhelming amount of exposed brick made the spaces feel dark, cold, and unwelcoming. The lighting plan was unthoughtful, with only one central light hoping to light up an entire 7 x 5.5m room!
The family purchased the home for its unique historical character, with vintage finds from around the world thoughtfully incorporated by the builder. However, they were unsure how to honor the home’s rich history while making it feel more inviting. As this is their forever home with no plans to sell, our goal was clear: to transform the space into a comfortable, functional, and welcoming environment they would cherish for years to come.
The Process:
The entrance sets the tone for the entire home, so it was crucial to get this space just right. We plastered over the exposed brick and refreshed it with a coat of Natural White, while the VJ panels were kept intact but brightened up in Vivid White. The original cast iron light fixture was replaced with three David Trubridge Coral lights, creating a softer, more airy feel. The travertine tiles were ripped up and replaced by oak-engineered floor boards throughout. We also sanded back the staircase, painting the risers and balustrades white for a brighter look and added a soft, cushioned runner for a welcoming touch.
The formal room/office was the darkest space in the house due to its location and the heavy foliage outside. Rather than fighting against the natural darkness, we chose to embrace it, painting the walls in a deep, rich Green while adding striking White accents to create contrast and brighten the space strategically. The result is a room that feels intentionally moody, luxurious, and cozy. The original fireplace was given a fresh, bright update, and floor-to-ceiling joinery was installed to provide much-needed storage. We positioned the desk centrally in front of the fireplace, creating a new sense of symmetry and balance in the room.
The kitchen was undersized for a home of this scale, with elements scattered chaotically, making the space feel busy and cluttered. To improve flow and functionality, we removed the upper cabinets from around the small windows, allowing more natural light to flood in and turning these charming windows into a focal point. We levelled the stepped ceiling and added a faux skylight, effortlessly brightening the room. The kitchen’s size was nearly doubled, increasing its seating capacity from six to 16 guests, including six stools at the new, larger kitchen island.
The dark green joinery with brass hardware was extended from the formal lounge, creating a harmonious flow in the colour palette. However, the true highlight of the room is the stunning stone benchtops, which seamlessly transition into the splashback and culminate in a charming little shelf perfect for displaying the occupants’ collectibles.
Adjacent to the dining area is now a cozy reading nook that faces the existing wood-burning fireplace. We anchored this space with a round rug and a casual pendant light, creating an inviting atmosphere. The client’s cherished armoire, Belfast sink, and vintage stove perfectly preserve the home’s history while adding a charming country feel to the modern kitchen.
The rumpus room is the one space that showcases the brick in its authentic form. The room’s sheer size allows the brick to shine without making the space feel dark or dreary. We gave the VJ panels and ceiling a fresh white coat, brightening the grand area significantly. A new spatial layout was designed to accommodate TV viewing, projector screen sessions, and a pool table, with furniture thoughtfully arranged to ensure everyone can enjoy watching the footy together!
