Wanna Stay @ Wynstay

My friend T and I love this house at 15 Wynstay Crescent, Ivanhoe. 'Nuff said..

I really love the sailboat with the paper light fittings!

(All images Courtesy Barry Plant Ivanhoe)

Shades of Grey

Potentially cool 70's house? - Check!

North facing living spaces and backyard? - Check!

Flat corner block in Eltham? - Check!

Real Estate Agent named Romeo? - Check!

1 Grey Street, Eltham checks all these boxes and more. Potential Plus!!

Images courtesy Barry Plant Eltham

Happy Easter

Getty Images

Hickey House

Images courtesy 'The Age' archives

Winning a citation in the 1972 in the Victorian Architects Awards, as well as The Age award for Home of the Year in 1972 is Genser Shepherd & Associates 'Hickey House' for artist Dale Hickey, at 34 Warringah Crescent, Eltham. An entry in Kevin Borland's book 'Architecture from the Heart', states the project architect as Vasilios Tsesmelis - who, from my research, appears to still work at A. Genser & Associates in Punt Road.

To fully appreciate the unique layout and design of this home, you need to look at the building in plan form.

I haven't yet had a chance to check out this home but it's on my radar. Amazing timber lined interiors too - they are absolutely timeless and would suit any style of furniture. Not to mention, a studio filled with the history of one of Australia's premier artists. How inspiring!

Warm, rich, inviting interior

With the right furnishings and artworks, the all timber interior could really sing!

Amazing studio space! - All images courtesy Barry Plant Eltham

Briar Hill Butterfly

I have entitled this post 'Briar Hill Butterfly' because I think with a clear vision, this home at 78 Gladstone Road, Briar Hill could really emerge as a Mid-century beauty! It has a classic facade and has been extended in a logical way, capitalizing on the North facing backyard by including lots of windows in the living spaces. 

(All images courtesy LJ Hooker Eltham)

 My top 5 suggestions? 

1) Remove the gabled pergolas at the front, exposing the flat roof & great 60's lines of the front facade.
2) This house really needs an entry space. No one likes walking straight into the living room. 
3) Floorboards in the living area would be much more practical.
4) Replace that combustion heater in the living area with a conical fireplace (from Ebay or similar) powder coated in a wow colour - see image below.
5) Paint, paint, paint! (Inside and especially out the back!)

(Image: Design Sponge / Heath Ceramics)

Betts best bet

I have just been reading some 'junk mail' including Betts (shoes) latest catalogue. It has a spread entitled 'In Suburbia' and besides the shoes, it features the most swoon-worthy Mid-Century house! I'm trying to uncover where it is (I'm guessing it in Sydney?).

www.betts.com.au

 You can see more of that amazing house on video here and check out the rest of the catalogue here ('In Suburbia' is on pages 2-3).

Charteris Drive

oooohhhh myyyyyy gaaaawwwwdddd!!!!!

I finally went to check out the amazing looking house at 2 Charteris Drive, Ivanhoe East on Saturday and I was pretty blown away. Although in a sad state of disrepair externally, the house has lost none of its regal splendor inside.

View from East facing terrace through to formal living area

As you climb the bluestone crazy-pave steps to the entry, your eyes are drawn to the glazed entry, blurring the boundary between inside and out with a buried window frame that makes the garden appear to extend inside. The indoor plants are presided over by what I guess is a custom made glass chandelier. You pass a shag carpet covered staircase and through to the formal living area (pictured) with waterwall. Here a central timber clad bar divides off the formal dining area. Servants or the host can discreetly slip from here through to the kitchen - complete with its own sunny hollywood style meals area.

Double height formal living area - and view to the Dandenongs from the Mezzanine 

Also to be mentioned downstairs is the glorious yellow accented powder room and green metallic wallpapered bedroom, opening - of course - onto the pool, again oozing hollywood style. 

Ground floor bedroom with amazing wallpaper & pool view

Upstairs on a mezzanine style level is a large parents retreat carpeted in orange striped shag!

That orange shagpile on the mezzanine retreat!

The master bedroom has one of the best walk in robe/dressing rooms I have ever seen - soooo many drawers, all with crystal knobs. The ensuite, while not exactly masculine, has the most amazing lilac tiles. Not sure if they are glass or Marblo but they appear to be individually glazed, and they match the hob bath and basins perfectly.

Amazing Ensuite oozing Hollywood glamour! (All photo's courtesy Mile Real Estate)

Designed and built for former Mayor of Melbourne Ralph Bernardi and his family by L.U. Simon (the founding Professor of the School of Building at The University of Melbourne no less!), this house is not only an amazing time capsule of the era, but would make anyone building their own home today covert the floorplan and design.   


Okay, must dash and buy a lottery ticket!!