Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

A Melbourne Victorian’s Contemporary Overhaul by Hecker Guthrie

Search

A Melbourne Victorian’s Contemporary Overhaul by Hecker Guthrie

April 16, 2018

In the stylish Prahran suburb of Melbourne, multidisciplinary design firm Hecker Guthrie transformed a grand Victorian family home into a contemporary version of its best self.

Between the house’s construction in the 1880s and Hecker Guthrie’s intervention, the building had received an extension and redesign in the 1960s (it served as a men’s retirement home for a period). When Hecker Guthrie arrived on the scene, most of the original period details had been obscured, including original pine flooring hidden beneath red carpet. The designers unearthed and restored it all—including molding, cornices, columned archways, and ceiling roses, and even an original stained glass window in the front room. Once the building’s Victorian identity had been reestablished, the firm added contemporary furnishings—clean-lined furniture from Australian and Scandinavian designers, blue velvet accents, and a bold, geometric tile in the entryway. Let’s take a look.

Photography by Shannon McGrath, courtesy of Hecker Guthrie.

hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 1
Above: The designers retained the layout of the grand Victorian entryway, adding coral and blue geometric tile throughout the front room, paired with a black Cassina dining table. A new skylight allows natural light to pour in.
hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 2
Above: The original decorative archways lead from the foyer to the dining room.

hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 6
Above: Steel framed interior walls allow natural light to filter through the rooms. In the dining room, a collection of Mass Lights by Norm Architects hangs above a Nikari dining table.
hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 3
Above: The kitchen features basalt countertops and metal cabinets with pulls from Bäccman & Berglund in Sweden. Above the island hangs a single, linear Highline pendant from Australian architecture firm Archier.
hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 4
Above: A Paola Navone Chester Moon Sofa in blue anchors the living room. Off-white linen curtains add privacy to the street-facing front room.
hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 8
Above: The designers left an original, circa 1880s stained glass window intact in the living room. Two XL December Chairs from Nikari flank the wool rug from Halcyon Lake.
hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 11
Above: In the powder room, a Latis sink from Omvivo sits on a marble countertop with backsplash.

hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 7
Above: The four-poster bed in the master bedroom is by B&B Italia, and the Ruché chair is from Ligne Roset.
hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 9
Above: The master bath has a custom marble sink, backsplash, and fireplace surround. The faucet is from Yokato (see Yokato Bath and Kitchen Fixtures, Made in Australia for more).
hecker guthrie melbourne townhouse 10
Above: A large walk-in closet comprises the other half of the en suite master bath.

For more Australian design, see:

(Visited 2,248 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Product summary  

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0