Botanical House
After spending more than 27 years in this 1920s South Yarra house, the homeowners sought to give every space a creative facelift, allowing their relationship with the home to continue with fresh perspective.
To bring this vision to life, they called on the Mim Design team, who set about reflecting the adventurous spirit of the travel-loving owners while paying homage to the heritage of the property. With its privileged position overlooking the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, the house called for a layered approach, incorporating furniture and art by both international and local designers and artisans to create an eclectic, elegant interior.
Passing through the grand arched portico at the home’s entrance, guests are greeted by a double-height foyer with marble flooring underfoot and a Tassel 57 glass pendant overhead. A sculptural stairway leads to the upper-floor bedrooms, while the space below is grounded by a custom entry table from local atelier Adele Vine. From here, steel-framed glass doors offer a glimpse into the enticing peacock-blue study next door, which features an edgy timber-and-glass Horizon desk by La Chance and a chunky, striped Boborelax chair by Arflex. Nearby, the salon draws on the verdant palette of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with leafy wallpaper taking centrestage. This is offset by the natural texture of a Rope chair by Baxter in the corner, while quirky designer vases lend the space a subtly scientific air.
The project called for an extension to the home, encompassing a new kitchen, dining and living area that runs along the length of the established garden. Art Deco-style curves in the kitchen island and cabinetry echo those seen on the home’s exterior, a motif accentuated by the softly rounded forms of a pair of padded Tom Dixon stools. In the adjacent dining room, a stone-topped sculptural Stamp table from Grazia & Co introduces a glossy textural note. These spaces connect to the outdoors, creating new opportunities to move easily between house and garden. While modern, the rooms retain a timeless sense of elegance, with each artwork, lighting piece and material chosen to sit comfortably alongside the home’s heritage.
Private spaces upstairs take on a romantic mood, with blush and taupe-toned fabrics, materials and furnishings chosen for their enveloping softness and sleek texture. The main bathroom introduces a spearmint-green palette, with deeply veined quartzite tiling lending a sense of cool luxury. Opening to a small chequerboard-tiled balcony, the bathroom overlooks the gardens and Government House, with the city skyline beyond.
Below ground, a lounge, wine cellar and powder room in the hidden basement channel the evocative style of the Prohibition era, with brass elements, warm timber panelling and terracotta tiles sitting alongside moody upholstered furnishings and wine-red stone walls. A collaborative project with Lonsdale Building Group, Botanical Home reflects the clients’ spirit, balancing drama and wonder with a deep appreciation for the layered nature of fine design.
