High on a Hill....

Just before mid-century modernism there was Art Deco.... a style for which Ivanhoe is particularly renowned.

Sitting proudly on a corner and stretching out to the city view is 'Bukit Raja' at 2 St. Hubert Road, Ivanhoe East. For sale through Miles Real Estate, this once would have been an impressive Art Deco home with potential for amazing views. Sadly the upper extension has not been realised to the quality of the original building and the access is via a spiral staircase placed rather inconveniently in the main entry. Nevetheless, this house has amazing potential. M and I hope to check it over the weekend.... and buy a tatts ticket. 

What a fabulous project it would be!

Impressive at street level (all images courtesy Miles Real Estate)

'Bukit Raja' was apparently an estate town in the Klang district of Selangor, Malaysia housing an oil palm plantation. There were many managers from the UK - I wonder if they later relocated to Ivanhoe East?

Don't trip over the shag covered stair as you walk in!

Original kitchen layout

View to front Terrace - City to the Dandenongs view

Impressive Deco windows

Jackson & the Merchant

Daryl Jackson designed and built by Merchant Builders, 63 Wycliffe Crescent Eltham ticks all the boxes. It's listed with Morrison Kleeman.

Approach with exposed timber & bricks, native garden and courtyard paving.

Lets start with the cracking good Northern orientation to the living spaces which should be top of everyone's list when looking for a new home (or designing one for that matter; can you believe we still have to mention this in 2011?!). With all the hallmarks of the Merchant style included; breezy open living spaces, open fire, timbered ceilings, slate floors, built in joinery, substantial windows, exposed brick and courtyard style garden. What a cracker!

Original kitchen, timber lined ceilings, slate floors and lots of natural light.

Quintessential Hearth (all images courtesy Morrison Kleeman)

Brand New Retro

Even though this blog was set up to celebrate mid-century modern design, I couldn't help but include this new home at 201a Rattray Road, Montmorency - for sale with Fletchers. The influences of the 50's & 60's can be seen clearly in the materials used, the open plan spaces & split levels, the cathedral ceilings and exposed beams; even the external colour scheme. Love it!

Brand new retro exterior

Retro inspired interior (all images courtesy Fletchers)

 

Zig Zag Zuster

Some of you may know the designer furniture store 'Zuster' in Richmond. They are one of a handful of designer/manufacturers who still make their beautiful timber furniture in Australia. Zuster (dutch for sister) is founded by the 4 daughters of Meyer Sibbel, a builder who constructed many australian homes from the 1950's...

..such as 77 Zig Zag Road in Eltham, for sale with Bekdon Richards.  I was initially unsure about including this property in my blog and it was actually the original kitchen cabinetry which got me over the line. No wonder given its credentials!!

Front elevation.

Beautiful original timber kitchen (including handles) and cork floors. Lots of windows too.

Hearth & Home. Stunning views too.

Judge a Book by its Cover

Trawling through the real estate pages I have noticed a couple of places that look fantastic from the exterior but sadly the interior has been badly or unsympathetically renovated. In these instances, I suggest you 'judge the book by its cover'!

37-39 Wattle Drive, Watsonia - Hocking Stuart Greensborough

40 Baldwin Avenue, Montmorency - Buckingham & Co.

Not a lot of Moola

Sorry its been a long time since I have updated the blog - been hard at work on lots of interesting new projects! 

On skimming the Real Estate pages I have made some interesting finds in the local area. Some new homes, some mid-century homes and some even earlier! 

First cab off the ranks today is 10 Moola Avenue, Yallambie, listed by Buckingham & co.

Front Elevation

Quintessential 70's / 80's split level home with exposed brick throughout, cathedral ceilings and exposed beams, large windows looking out to gorgeous parkland and of course, an open fire. Gorgeous built in joinery throughout and a spacious ensuite & bathroom in original condition! Not sure about the amber glass and unfortunately the orientation to the living spaces is South East - but hey, for this kind of Moola you can't have everything!

Split level living spaces complete with bar and open fireplace

Original Bathroom - Love the green & pink scheme!

Fully fitted robes & desks to bedrooms

Rear elevated terrace complete with Daniel Roberton-esque paving (All images Buckingham & Co.)

Back in Fasham

Now, I know that strictly speaking this is a website celebrating Mid Century design in Banyule but I also aim to promote good design principals such as passive solar orientation, honesty to materials and indigenous gardens.

All Images from Jellis Craig

This newly listed Fasham Johnson residence at 7 Yellowbox Terrace, Heidelberg meets these criteria and clearly the vendors have an appreciation of Mid Century design - evident in their furnishings and personal items. The house is listed with Jellis Craig.