Rich Layering – Glen Iris House by Living Edge Design Studio

Optimising its position amongst generous allotments and heritage homes, Glen Iris House sees its next chapter given an enriching new layer. Living Edge Design Studio draws from the open and plentiful proportions of the home to create spaces for entertaining and gathering through furnishings, while allowing for intimate moments as needed.

Having just been renovated and restored, Glen Iris House was in need of the final touches. In creating a home, both the personalities of its owners and the character of the building and interiors should coexist, so allowing the two to balance one another is key to its success. In drawing from the surrounding context and scale of the homes in the area, the approach from Living Edge’s Melbourne Design Studio was one that combined functionality and charm, allowing for a contemporary flow and connection between spaces while retaining the formality of the original home. Taking cues from the heritage elements and weaving in nods to the owners themselves, a complete picture emerges.

A considered approach delineates between old and new, ensuring not to confuse the two and allow them to complement one another in the process.

Surrounded by lush landscapes, the home itself also had its own curated natural setting and allowing spaces to spill out into the garden was key. Through a replanning of the existing arrangement of the home, new connections were established, grouping the more active and communal areas away from the more intimate and retreat spaces. A hierarchy was created in this process, overlaying a sense of structure based on how the spaces would be best used. Having newly moved to the area, the owners wanted to ensure the home was accommodating to entertaining guests and to allow for gatherings throughout the year. A considered approach delineates between old and new, ensuring not to confuse the two and allowing them to complement one another in the process.

A neutral base forms the foundations of the home, allowing the newly introduced artwork, furniture and lighting to be highlighted in place. A curious arrangement of elements then fills each of the spaces, combining more traditional and classic pieces with some contemporary and unexpected additions. The original herringbone timber flooring adds additional texture and movement to the spaces, while acting as a reminder of the crafted nature of the origins of the home. A custom timber wine storage area combines the beauty of the handmade with more warming timber, becoming a sculptural element of its own.

A curious arrangement of elements then fills each of the spaces, combining more traditional and classic pieces with some contemporary and unexpected additions.

Glen Iris House carefully combines both past and present, while infusing a uniqueness in the process. Living Edge Design Studio enriches the daily experience of the home through a considered and strategic approach to furnishing.