Houzz Tour: A Bright and Colourful Victorian Family Home
With clever use of soft furnishings and artwork, this home was transformed into a welcoming, cheerful place for a family to spend time in
Sophie and her husband had been house-hunting for some time around South Melbourne as they loved the area. And, when they discovered their future home-to-be, they found that not only was it in the location they were interested in, but that the house ticked all of the boxes they’d had in mind when searching for their ideal home.
The Victorian terraced house was already loaded with character, and featured a generous open-plan living and dining area, high ceilings, original ornate fireplaces, wooden floors and a gorgeous Aga range cooker. It was in a good state when they found it; the rear of the house had been renovated not long before it went on the market, which was a stroke of luck for the family of three. ‘Being Victorian, it is an old home with old bones, but the main living space was gorgeous and bright, so we didn’t need to do a huge amount to it, just some cosmetic things; nothing structural,’ says Sophie.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Stylist Sophie Gunnersen of Stamp Interiors, her husband Andrew and their little boy Kip
Location South Melbourne
Size 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
The Victorian terraced house was already loaded with character, and featured a generous open-plan living and dining area, high ceilings, original ornate fireplaces, wooden floors and a gorgeous Aga range cooker. It was in a good state when they found it; the rear of the house had been renovated not long before it went on the market, which was a stroke of luck for the family of three. ‘Being Victorian, it is an old home with old bones, but the main living space was gorgeous and bright, so we didn’t need to do a huge amount to it, just some cosmetic things; nothing structural,’ says Sophie.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Stylist Sophie Gunnersen of Stamp Interiors, her husband Andrew and their little boy Kip
Location South Melbourne
Size 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
As is common with many old houses, there was not a great deal of storage so after moving in, Sophie and her husband added built-in wardrobes, one of them walk-in. They also put in modern comforts such as hydronic heating for the chilly Melbourne winter months, and then filled the house with their own pieces in order to put their family’s unique stamp on the beautifully light, bright and stylish home.
All the interior design and styling was completed by Sophie’s firm, Stamp Interiors, with many of the pieces custom-made, including the dining table, chest of drawers, all the bookshelves, son Kip’s bed and the headboard in the master bedroom. ‘We make soft furnishings at Stamp and customise most things – so this was a really fun project creating what I wanted and how I wanted it,’ says Sophie.
The family spend most their time in the main open-plan living and dining space, which opens up to the outdoor entertaining area. The high ceilings and natural light from the skylights bring a spacious feel to the room.
‘The open-plan living and dining works so well for us,’ says Sophie. ‘We always sit down as a family for dinner and then everyone has their own little sanctuaries to go to. Kip adores his room, I have my study/studio and Andrew seems to remain near the Aga…’
‘The open-plan living and dining works so well for us,’ says Sophie. ‘We always sit down as a family for dinner and then everyone has their own little sanctuaries to go to. Kip adores his room, I have my study/studio and Andrew seems to remain near the Aga…’
The Aga range cooker and aqua tile splashback is a wonderful focal point in the kitchen and draws the eye in.
‘We love the Aga and could not live without it. Everyone usually gravitates around it, knowing something slow-cooked will emerge,’ says Sophie.
‘We love the Aga and could not live without it. Everyone usually gravitates around it, knowing something slow-cooked will emerge,’ says Sophie.
The open-plan design and stunning kitchen space is ideal for the food-loving family who love to eat and entertain. The striking Milo Lockett artwork is one of Sophie’s favourite pieces.
Not a follower of trends, Sophie describes her home as fairly eclectic with an earthy, light, unfussy and colourful feel. ‘Everything has a purpose; it is not fiddly or precious, but inviting and comfortable,’ she says. ‘The pieces are a collection of things picked up on our travels, modern artwork and modern furniture mixed with old-world style. Everything is practical and has a place.’
See 10 ideas for improving a period fireplace
See 10 ideas for improving a period fireplace
Sophie likes to have a mixture of old and new pieces around her home. ‘It is always better to wait for good-quality pieces than to get inferior quick fixes. And good-quality isn’t always new,’ she says. ‘Hunt around at auctions and in second-hand shops – for example, a sofa can be re-stuffed and reupholstered. If you want to constantly be updating your look, a top-quality sofa will always hold a heap of cushions and throws beautifully, while an expensive cushion will always look cheaper on an inferior sofa.’
EXPERT ADVICE
‘Use an interior designer – they get great savings and discounts that they can pass on to you, and their inside knowledge of where to go for what will save you bundles of cash in the long run,’ says Sophie.
Artwork, Milo Lockett. Block 2 lamp, Henry Pilcher. Custom-made sofas, Stamp Interiors.
EXPERT ADVICE
‘Use an interior designer – they get great savings and discounts that they can pass on to you, and their inside knowledge of where to go for what will save you bundles of cash in the long run,’ says Sophie.
Artwork, Milo Lockett. Block 2 lamp, Henry Pilcher. Custom-made sofas, Stamp Interiors.
Interesting lighting and modern artwork features throughout the house, bringing both accent and ambience to the rooms. ‘I love lighting, so the lamps are very special, as is the artwork,’ says Sophie.
Pineapple table lamp, Coote & Co.
Pineapple table lamp, Coote & Co.
Sophie added the wooden window shutters after the family moved in, while the assortment of soft furnishings such as rugs, linens, and cushions, as seen here in the master bedroom, give the space a welcoming feel.
One area that Sophie didn’t mind spending a little more on was bedding: ‘We sleep in Irish linen to get the best night’s sleep,’ she says. ‘It makes sense too, considering we spend up to eight hours in bed (if we’re lucky) every night.’
Irish bed linen, Coote & Co. Antique Chinese alter bird figurines, Brownlow Interior Design.
Discover expert tips on how to choose the right bedding
Irish bed linen, Coote & Co. Antique Chinese alter bird figurines, Brownlow Interior Design.
Discover expert tips on how to choose the right bedding
A bathroom is, of course, functional in purpose and design, but that doesn’t mean it has to be purely utilitarian. Sophie has added some personality with earthy, neutral touches, including woven materials, bamboo and timber, to soften the space. The large mirror also helps to bounce light around the room.
‘The bedrooms are beautiful, with high ceilings and loads of natural light,’ says Sophie. ‘We have made them like little sanctuaries – a place to rest and unwind.’
Dog lamp, Brownlow Interior Design.
Dog lamp, Brownlow Interior Design.
The fireplace in Kip’s room is decorated with a row of colourful shoes and some firewood for an easy and effective display.
EXPERT ADVICE
‘Don’t be afraid to go bespoke – you get exactly what you want for not always more cost than at the shops,’ says Sophie.
TELL US…
What do you think about this colourful Australian home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
EXPERT ADVICE
‘Don’t be afraid to go bespoke – you get exactly what you want for not always more cost than at the shops,’ says Sophie.
TELL US…
What do you think about this colourful Australian home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.