Photography: Martina Gemmola
An organised client who has definite ideas is a gift for an interior designer. Amy Spargo, principal of Melbourne-based Maine House Interiors, knew she had lucked out when she was engaged to work on this circa 1920 house in Melbourne. The owners came well prepared with curated Pinterest boards, and they knew the types of materials they liked and the feel they wanted.
“It was an ideal foundation for us to build upon,” says Amy. “The visual references offered valuable insight into their personal style, which happened to resonate closely with my own, making it a seamless collaboration.”
The owners had lived in the home for about eight years, before contacting Amy. They had followed her work on Instagram as well as in published features and felt she was the perfect fit to bring their vision to life.
On purchase of the home they discovered – from a 1927 Home Beautiful magazine – that it had been designed by architect George Burridge Leith, the then chief architect of the State Savings Bank of Victoria, and cost £730 to build. “It’s a wonderful piece of history that adds another layer of character to the home,” says Amy.
The house ticked all the boxes – a traditional style in a family-friendly area with lots of parks. With two young children, the owners wanted a home that would suit their needs for many years.
Amy introduced architect Anthony Pie to work on the project and together they transformed the original bungalow into a two-storey, four-bedroom family home. “Anthony’s thoughtful, considered approach to design aligns perfectly with our own and we knew his style would resonate with the owners’ taste,” she says.
The brief was for an inviting family home with plenty of space for the four family members and Bonnie, the dog, as well as for regular visitors from overseas. “It was important that every space felt welcoming and full of character and reflected their vibrant personalities and love of colour. They wanted each room to feel interesting and joyful – a true reflection of the way they live.”
Julie Neill ‘Caddo’ lanterns, The Montauk Lighting Co. Artwork by Michelle Fogarty. Flooring, French Oak Floors. (Photography: Martina Gemmola)
As the owners were drawn initially to the traditional facade of the home, it was decided to preserve it and create a subtle second storey by building into the roofline. The two front rooms were retained with their original windows adding to the timeless character. Everything else was newly built, but designed with a “deep respect for the building’s heritage”.
Anthony brought some special features into the home including the sweeping staircase that frames views into an internal courtyard. He also designed a covered terrace with an outdoor wood-burning fireplace and skylights.
When it came to the interior design, Amy employed the full colour spectrum – as directed by the owners. “It’s fair to say there wasn’t a colour we didn’t explore,” she says, laughing. “The palette evolved organically, guided both by the owner’s heritage – which we honoured through carefully chosen motifs, prints and tones.”
Dramatic moments occur, such as in the study where the walls are saturated in a rich deep blue to complement the owners’ extensive book collection. By contrast ‘pesto green’ was selected for the kitchen to reflect the home’s leafy setting and as a backdrop to the vibrant artworks by Anna Fitzpatrick that are displayed there.
“Throughout we used colour to deliberately shift the mood from room to room,” says Amy. “The main family areas are predominantly white, which allows the fabrics and furnishings to provide bursts of colour and texture. Meanwhile the bedrooms strike a balance between vibrancy and serenity.” A standout is the guest bedroom, which is swathed in an intense cherry red – bold and cocooning and a memorable experience for guests.
Amy’s favourite space is the conservatory dining room where a lattice ceiling, petite ivy wallpaper and chequerboard floor enrich the character. “It all came together so beautifully,” she says. “The owner trusted me to paint the window frames in dark green and I think that really completes the space.”
THIS IS THE LIFE
With its bold, playful spirit and bright and airy feel, the home is just what the owners were wishing for. They are keen cooks and entertainers and often have family and friends visiting from interstate and overseas. The home is now “a welcoming space that’s full of life and character and constantly buzzing with activity and joy”, says Amy.
The Design Team:
Maine House Interiors: mainehouseinteriors.com.
Anthony Pie Architect: anthonypiearchitect.com.
Original Projects: originalprojects.com.au
Shop the look
Take on traditional style with a relaxed modern twist, mixing patterned textiles with timber and metallics.
Petite Ivy Decorative Textile Wallpaper
Milton and King, $208.13/sqm
Ribbleton Sink
Early Settler, $1,699
Caddo Medium Lantern
The Montauk Lighting Co. $3,090
Falcon Freestanding Dual Fuel Oven
Winnings, $14,598
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