Photography: Tom Roe
It can be incredibly gratifying to reinvigorate a home where the residents have enjoyed 20-plus years of living. The shared memories and experiences can feel like a warm hug. This property in Melbourne was first renovated by the owners more than 20 years ago, and a decade later, a major landscaping project delivered a lush green oasis as its frame.
Recently, with the two sons growing into teenagers, the need for a refit was keenly felt. This time the undertaking involved extending the original footprint with the addition of a split level and a second storey. The owners engaged Lucy Marczyk Design Studio, along with Three C Architects and Lisa Ellis Gardens, for the project. “The vision was to blend heritage with a contemporary lifestyle, right in the heart of inner-city Melbourne,” says Lucy.
The house boasts a handsome Victorian facade with iron lace-trimmed verandahs, and the front four rooms were to be carefully restored. At the rear, an ultra-contemporary extension in black powder-coated metal took shape. Lucy explains, “At its core the design was driven by function and calm, shaped by our studio’s appreciation for ‘Ma’ – the Japanese philosophy of negative space, where every element has room to breathe.”
The opening gambit is the entry, where a bluestone path rambles through the established garden. One of the major tenets of the project was interaction and connection with the garden, and the owners again turned to landscaper Lisa Ellis, who had worked on the original concept. “The front garden had matured into a sanctuary and the new extension was designed to echo that atmosphere,” says Lucy.
New plantings including tree ferns and succulents softened and enhance the structure while offering lush views from every room, and Lisa also introduced a luxuriantly planted courtyard linking the kitchen, dining and living areas via bifold doors.
Throughout the home there are nods to a Japanese aesthetic, from the name ‘Komorebi House’ meaning ‘sunlight filtering through trees onto the forest floor’ to the Japandi style of the internal fitout that blends the best of Japanese and Scandinavian ideas. “This approach emphasises a strong connection to nature, through thoughtful spatial planning and the use of natural, high-quality materials,” Lucy says.
“The interiors reflect a tranquil, minimalist ethos where functionality meets beauty, and simplicity is celebrated.”
The owners wished for practicality as well as a timeless feel. The home needed to cater to the rhythms of family life with spaces for entertaining as well as a flexible work-from-home area and teen study zone. Two distinct living areas offer spatial interest, bookended by floor-to-ceiling glazing that allows the outdoors to feature as green artworks.
Privacy was considered at every level, with custom perforated screens on the extension allowing light to filter through while maintaining a sense of seclusion. Both natural and artificial lighting were layered to enhance the home’s liveability and ambience at all times of the day.
The palette embraced contrast – dark timbers, black-stained finishes and leathered granite provide a counterpoint to soft textures and a sense of airiness. “The language is clean and earthy according to the principles of simplicity, thoughtful craftsmanship and natural finishes,” says Lucy.
Tactile surfaces such as stone, wood and terrazzo are complemented by suede-like upholstery, slubby linen curtains and plush rugs.
The four-bedroom home exudes a serene, relaxed mood and Lucy says the design “balances softness with strength. It’s minimalist yet warm, architectural yet inviting”.
With the clients involved in the planning of storage and ergonomic features, the process was smooth and straightforward. “We love the openness and the way natural light fills the space,” they say. “The connection to the garden brings a calm, grounded feeling to the home.”
Lucy adds, “There’s a quiet elegance to the design, rooted in craftsmanship, organic textures and an appreciation for the imperfect. It results in a calm space that seamlessly bridges indoors and outdoors.”
The Design Team
Lucy Marczyk: lucymarczyk.com
Three C Architects: threecarchitects.com
Lisa Ellis Gardens: lisaellisgardens.com.au
Cathedral Homes: cathedralhomes.com.au
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