Colourful Canvas – Art House by Chelsea Hing and Mat Elkan Design

Through a balanced approach, Chelsea Hing and Mat Elkan Design transform a heritage terrace house, located in Melbourne’s Albert Park, into a well-crafted, light-filled family home. As such, Art House becomes a bespoke, modern dwelling that seamlessly integrates the personal expression of its owners.

Surrounded by terraces of a similar heritage, Art House features original design elements alongside more bold and contemporary colours and textures. Maintaining a connection to the history of the residence was key, which saw the designer and architect pay homage through defined spatial planning within the existing form. Preserving the old whilst injecting the new creates foundational spaces where the client’s art collection can take centrestage. Wanting to ensure a sense of timelessness and flow is felt as one moves through the home, Chelsea Hing and Mat Elkan Design establish open plan connections between zones.

Preserving the old whilst injecting the new creates foundational spaces where the client’s art collection can take centrestage.

Located on a corner block, one of the main challenges of the reworking was creating opportunities for gathering and socialising within the traditional, formal layout of the residence. The balance between open plan spaces and areas of retreat also ensures all family needs can be attended to. It is then through natural light and an alluring colour palette that the spaces within feel grounded in place and have an open dialogue with the natural surrounds. Spread over two floors, the ornate detailing and plaster work sets a unique tone, and by consistently cloaking these historic elements in white, newly inserted pieces become the focal points.

The home is reimagined within the established footprint of the site, avoiding the need for expansion. This same principle of preservation carries over to the unique configuration of spaces throughout. An attention to high-quality craftsmanship is evident through the subtle animation created by surface textures, the organic finish of selected tiles and the combination of brass and artisanal lighting fixtures. Although traditional and contemporary elements contrast throughout, this effect is softened by the resulting material palette, which seamlessly merges the two styles. Newly inserted steel-framed doors and arched openings also enhance the existing charm of the home.

It is then through natural light and an alluring colour palette that the spaces within feel grounded in place and have an open dialogue with the natural surrounds.

Featuring an extensive art collection, the aptly named Art House becomes a liveable, character-filled dwelling that celebrates the lifestyles of the owners. Chelsea Hing and Mat Elkan Design ensure the resulting home, therefore, not only responds to the artwork but also to the family’s need for functional and calm spaces.