A Sense of Order and Calm – Malvern House by Ali Ross

Nestled within the streets of Malvern is the beautifully renovated home of Melbourne-based interior designer Ali Ross. The articulated design celebrates the heritage building without compromising on her family’s needs.

Welcomed by the distinctly Melbourne heritage façade and stepping through the period hallway punctuated with Akari pendant lights by Isamu Noguchi, a truly heightened sense of arrival is created. Walking in, visitors are captivated by an architectural marriage of Victorian-era and contemporary aesthetics that creates a home with family at its epicentre.

“The design came about from my desire to create a family home with a sense of order and calm.”

Malvern House creates a journey, beginning at the historic façade. Moving through, one’s eyes are sure to be caught by the carefully created juxtaposition of Victorian-era with contemporary elements. And exiting into the backyard, the impressive sight of the home’s present rendition awaits. With clean lines, abundance of light and large open windows, a beautiful contrast to the heritage elements witnessed upon entry is created.

The emphasis on encouraging flow, light, and materiality is immediately noticeable in the kitchen and living space. Through the kitchen, the large glass doors push the living area to its fullest potential, encouraging an abundance of natural light into the core of the house. The lines of the Nordic-toned timber flooring are reflected on the ceiling above, drawing sightlines forward and out towards the generous backyard and pool.

“The interior has a wonderful flow and a sense of space and light, and it’s not at all precious.”

Danish designer Nanna Ditzel’s Hanging Egg Chair anchors the space. “I bought it 10 years ago while we were living in San Francisco. We were renting at the time, so I had to keep it in storage. It travelled home via a stint in London, so it was a relief to finally hang it when we settled in Melbourne,” Ali explains.

A Molloy table by Cult Design is the showpiece of the formal dining room. Osso chairs by District accent the space by adding a playful touch – informality with precision. Ali explains “the interior has a wonderful flow and a sense of space and light, and it’s not at all precious. It’s relaxed and has a playfulness to it, expressed through subtle colour, sensual shapes and textures.”

Ali retained distinctly Victorian elements throughout her design. Original accent ceilings, archways and fireplaces give intriguing glimpses into the past lives of the heritage house. Each element is surely celebrated yet concerted with the contemporary overall design. The hero of the study, mindfully designed to be the perfect workspace, is an original fireplace emboldened in a striking black. The bold shade is carried through onto the black and brass Multilte pendant by Gubi overlooking an Eero Saarinen Tulip Table by Knoll Studio.

Working deftly with old and new, Ali strikes the balance between the two to create a sense of order. Considered, calm and light-filled, Malvern House becomes an ideal family home.