ALB Residence by Mékr Studio

ALB Residence by Mékr Studio offers a balanced dialogue between heritage, art and lush greenery, resulting in a serene sanctuary imbued with contemporary whimsy and sophistication.

Tucked into the leafy streets of Melbourne’s inner east, this private family abode is set back from the street edge. Enveloped by established gardens, the reimagined Federation villa is neatly concealed from view, revealing its stately presence only beyond the fence line. ALB Residence, by co-founders Kristiina Reeve and Michelle Evans of Mékr Studio, is a stunning transformation of a character-filled home – brimming with warm tonality and forming a connection between past and present.

Enveloped by established gardens, the reimagined Federation villa is neatly concealed from view, revealing its stately presence only beyond the fence line.

Devised around an established framework of proportion and formality, the interior retains the original hierarchy between public and private spaces while considering the needs of its contemporary occupants. “Our clients, a busy family of four with a gorgeous duck tolling retriever, sought a home that reflected their modern way of living while respecting the origins of the house,” describes Reeve. Guided by the family’s appreciation for local craftsmanship and quality materials, the house serves as a kind of gallery, allowing gorgeous pieces to exist in harmony with the rhythm of daily life.

Traversing a path of split-face steppers, a bold black door signals the threshold to a generous hall adorned with ornate mouldings, trims and dados. At the centre, a sculptural table rests atop an earthen loop-pile rug and European oak floors. A sitting room and study flank the main passage, their presence announced by steel-framed, fluted-glass doors. “Such bespoke elements serve to reintroduce lost period pieces from past renovations,” says Evans. The home office is more than a place of work – perhaps more aptly known as the wine room – where striking timber cabinetry is elevated on a plinth of Calacatta Viola Antico marble, which continues into the communal realm.

Enveloped by a verdant garden, the home exists in quiet concert with its surroundings.

Serene off-whites and muted teals wash over hand-scraped veneers, offering textural contrast to a neutral palette. Terrazzo stone and lustrous mosaics bring a sense of play to the bathrooms, expressed through strong datums and weighty upstands. “Our clients afforded so much trust in us to guide the design, allowing us to push the project brief with the introduction of bolder elements and one-off, locally crafted pieces,” explains Reeve. Throughout, traces of a longstanding lineage can be seen – in tumbled brass hardware, elaborate hearths and streamlined fixtures.

Enveloped by a verdant garden, the home exists in quiet concert with its surroundings. Paved outdoor rooms extend the interior outward and are punctuated by mature trees that cast dappled sunlight through preserved sash windows. Solitude and play unfold here, underpinned by the enduring character of the suburban fabric. “The scale of the project and its generous landscaped surrounds truly sets it apart as an expression of the personalities who call this place home,” says Evans.

ALB Residence embodies the bond between interior and landscape, imbued with a playful sense of eccentricity.

ALB Residence embodies the bond between interior and landscape, imbued with a playful sense of eccentricity. The spaces inside and out are generous and calming – recalling its past character while embracing a modern sensibility. Each room is uniquely tactile, providing a striking canvas for the coexistence of art and vegetation.

Interior design by Mékr Studio. Build by TCON. Landscape design by Ben Scott Garden Design. Lighting by Euroluce and George Nelson. Stone by CDK Stone, Corsi & Nicolai and Signorino. Tiles by Signorino. Artwork by Dane Lovett and Greg Wood.