Light Well House by Simone Haag

Simone Haag has long been a beacon of timeless design, consistently creating spaces that embrace and enhance their inherent charm. Light Well House, her family home in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, reflects her creative signature while also leaving room for change.

Designed by architect Ian J. Smith and built in 1972, Light Well House stands as a shining example of a home that has truly stood the test of time. Situated at the end of a court flanked by bushland and characterised by a double-brick facade, the four-bedroom dwelling – which features two lounges, a study, an internal courtyard and a separate studio – creates the illusion of being nestled among the treetops.

 “A commitment to material integrity is evident throughout the house, allowing this mid-century build to feel as current and contemporary now as it did when first built,” she notes.

In modernising the home, Simone remained faithful to its heritage. “There isn’t a plaster wall in the house. It’s all brick or timber veneer,” she notes. In addition to the walls, she also retained the original tiled benchtops in the kitchen, quaint basins in the bathrooms and vintage tapware fittings in both. “In terms of materials, the emphasis was on authenticity and honesty,” she adds. Her materials of choice were natural and organic, including wool, brick, timber, glass, leather, stone and ceramic. “A commitment to material integrity is evident throughout the house, allowing this mid-century build to feel as current and contemporary now as it did when first built.”

Simone and her husband, Rhys, a construction manager, collaborated closely to make minimal updates to the home, such as new window treatments and carpet, while relying on their curated collection of furniture, art and objects to personalise the space. “Some pieces were carried over from our past home, some were selected especially for here,” shares Simone. Among her notable acquisitions were a vintage tapestry from the Netherlands, antiques sourced from Parisian flea markets, original Artemide bedside lamps paired with bedside tables from Agnes Studio, an Arflex Marenco sofa, Saporiti Sail dining chairs and striking lighting fixtures like the Pipistrello lamp in the sunken lounge.

Simone and her husband, Rhys, a construction manager, collaborated closely to make minimal updates to the home, such as new window treatments and carpet, while relying on their curated collection of furniture, art and objects to personalise the space.

With her network of makers and artisans, Simone leaned into custom-made pieces where she could control the narrative by way of scale and materiality. She commissioned a bespoke glass and granite console from Daniel Barbera for the living room, to perfectly underpin an enormous abstraction by Thomas Thorby-Lister.

The home is a smorgasbord of art, showcasing emerging artists such as Michael Georgetti alongside more well-known figures like Gregory Hodge, as well as vintage pieces by unknown artists. The panoply of textiles, paintings and tapestries holds a mirror to mid-century modern design, cutting a striking contrast to the wood and brick walls.

The panoply of textiles, paintings and tapestries holds a mirror to mid-century modern design, cutting a striking contrast to the wood and brick walls.

Simone and Rhys ensured that the modifications were well-suited to accommodate their three young daughters’ active lifestyles. “One of the most beautiful aspects of the floorplan is that, from the kids’ bedrooms, you can look through the lightwell into the living spaces, creating a constant sense of connection to family,” says Simone. Though it has been over a year since the family moved in, Simone isn’t close to being done. Her plans include collaborating with Studio Manifold on multiple new joinery elements. “The house will continue to be an experimental space where pieces come and go. We are enjoying reviving the home in subtle ways,” she finishes.

Architecture by Ian J. Smi. Interior design by Simone Haag