House Tour: The Perfect Blend of Old & New

When old-world features meet modern interior spaces, the results can be quite spectacular. This is true in today’s 1920’s Melbourne home where traditional Spanish architecture beautifully merges together with a modern design scheme.

This coastal Melbourne home boasts a decorative Spanish mission-style architecture. It’s a little quirky and different but definitely stands out in style. At the same time, the modern glass-box extension adds a contemporary flow to accommodate family life.

A designer family retreat

Owners collaborated with Kathryn Robson, founder of Robson Rak, the architectural and interior design practice she runs with her husband Chris Rak. The design brief was a home to suit a large family, with ample space for entertaining.

The design thus works to serve a family of six with open plan spaces and modern amenities that a growing family would find very useful.

On the inside, open plan living creates a flow between spaces. Beautiful Art Deco style front rooms set the tone here. These living spaces were fully restored and the warren of unused spaces at the back were torn down, replaced with a large open plan living, cooking and entertaining space on the ground floor. Furthermore, the renovations included five bedrooms created across the entirety of the first floor.

A love for Art Deco

Ornate ceilings and white walls create a beautiful neutral palette. The home’s Art Deco heritage also inspired the graphic step-panelled fireplace which was designed for the front living room. We love the inclusion of contemporary furniture in pops of colour to bring contrast into the living rooms.

Something a little less conventional is a large living room banquette, beautifully curved around the windows. The banquette not only speaks to the history of the house but has been sturdily reinforced for dancing, and even jumping.

The back of the home takes on a more modern feel. We pass through cool, white rooms into a beautifully sleek kitchen area. Instead of ornate details you’ll instantly spot the bold, sleek pinstriped joinery. A full-height glass atrium also houses the light, airy informal living space. It’s bold, contemporary and simple.

Furthermore, designers also introduced subtle texture into the kitchen. This is done with silvery-hued limestone and beautiful overhead lighting with a brushed patina.