A modern take on classic English style has brought effortless charm to this completely reinvented Australian home
SITTING ROOM
This scheme is a joyful celebration of different prints and colours.
THE SUMMER ROOM
This was earmarked as a relaxation zone for adults.
DINING AREA
A round table breaks up the elongated space.
KITCHEN
Wood and rattan bring natural warmth to the brilliant white backdrop.
When I first saw this house, I knew it was perfect for my sister and her family,’ says interior designer Amy Spargo of Maine House Interiors. ‘It was screaming out for love and I realised we could make it into something special.’ The house in question was a tired two-storey wooden 1970s building situated on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Hidden behind a row of trees and a mere ten-minute walk from the beach, the property was in an idyllic location. Amy’s sister Clementine and her husband Matt agreed that it could be the perfect family home to raise their three young children, Harry, Ralph and Florence. ‘Clementine and I both adore English design,’ says Amy. ‘So I knew we’d work well together creating the aesthetic she wanted.’
The brief was simple: Clementine and Matt wanted a home that was full of colour and pattern, that had a place for their art and would be a fun yet calm space for their family. ‘The ideas flowed between us,’ says Amy, ‘but where I felt I added most value was steering Clementine into the decisions of where to focus her attention and what could be left as is to save money.’ One of the earliest decisions taken was to tackle the small entrance to the home. Amy and Clementine agreed the current layout created a bottleneck and ruined the flow, so they demolished the entry storage room and took away a door to help create a more open feel. The removal of a chunky and unsafe balustrade allowed the space to breathe. Finally, an art deco-style ceili
