Page 134 - Australian House & Garden (January 2020)

Anewkitchenislandreplacedabenchseat,freeing
“I LOVE COLLECTIONS OF BOOKS AS
A VISUAL AND TEXTURAL BACKDROP
TO A ROOM.” Rob Nerlich, architect
LIVING/DINING Above and opposite The owners selected
furniture and fittings with an emphasis on natural materials and
clean profiles. Nook sofa, Jardan. Dining table, Mark Tuckey.
Crochet rug in Atlantic from Jenny Jones Rugs. Heat & Glo gas
fireplace, Jetmaster. Artworks by Jason Benjamin (left) and Vu
Thuy. AJ Royal pendant lights, Cult. Potted plants, Glasshaus.
Magnus Olesen Butterfly dining chairs, Danish Red.
132 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
up space for a series of french doors that connect the
interior to the garden. Upstairs, the home’s three
bedrooms (one currently used as a study) were
structually untouched except for the addition of the
walk-in wardrobe in the main bedroom. The laundry
isnowlocatedinaspaceformerlyoccupiedbyapowder
room.Relocatingthelaundrytothefirstfloor“allowed
foranopen,generousrelationshipbetween the enlarged
kitchen and dining space”, says Rob.
Inthediningroom,cantileveredshelvesaccommodate
thecouple’sextensivelibraryandobjetsd’art;similar
full-length shelves feature in the living room. A third
set of shelves –smaller and backed with marble – acts
as a divider between the kitchen and living room. “I
love collections of books as a visual and textural
backdrop to a room,” says Rob. “The bookshelves in
thediningspacebalancethoseinthelivingroomand
accentuatetheconnectionbetweenthesespaces.”The
existing skirting was swapped for one with a cleaner
profile and all cornicing removed for a simpler, more
contemporary feel overall.
Thematerialspaletteincludesnaturalfinishessuch
asmarble,timberandleatherfortheirinherenttexture
andcharm,andareteamedwith‘finished’materialsfor
colour, says Rob. “These natural materials create a
dialoguebetweenaremarkablecollectionofartworks
andthehouseitself,throughtothecourtyardbeyond.”
Whitewallsthroughoutensurealight,airyfeel,and
provide the perfect canvas for the owners’ extensive
artcollection.Inthekitchen,deep-bluejoinerymakes
aboldstatement,complementingthetonesofveining
in the Arabescato marble on the benches and
splashback, as well as the ivy in the garden.
Fortheowner,shiftingtoasmallerhomehasmeant
sacrifices,butithasalsobroughtmanypluses.“Inthe
mornings,Ilovereadingthenewspaperatthedining
table and looking out to the green wall of the private
courtyard,”shesays.“Theopen,relaxedspacesmean
it is always a pleasure to come home.” And the couple
are still surrounded by the treasures – with a little
judicious editing – that have brought them so much
pleasure over the years. >
McMahon and Nerlich, South Melbourne, Victoria;
(03) 8256 9685 or www.mcmahonandnerlich.com.au.