From the Country to the City – Malvern Residence II by Studio Tate

Drawing inspiration from its surrounding landscape setting, Malvern Residence II sees a sophisticated country cottage aesthetic thoughtfully inserted into the inner-city Melbourne milieu. Award-winning practice Studio Tate combines a playful take on colour and finish together with heightened and considered detailing to propose a contextually responsive resolve. At the core of this stylish residence lies the Tongue n Groove solid oak flooring, serving as the expressive foundation from which the home takes shape.

This home is a study in the delicate weaving of old and new, which sees Malvern Residence II bind together time and purpose through bold expressionism and an inherent connection to the natural environment. With the existing home sitting surrounded by its own lush, landscaped setting, a rarity for the urban locality, the new is inspired by that same established natural buffering. A country garden cottage aesthetic, as applied through a modern lens, is then established by Studio Tate throughout the spaces. The addition combines the expected openness of any new home while also incorporating detailing and proportions that reflect the intended Shaker style. While seemingly contradictory on paper, in drawing from the existing context as the musing for the new, Studio Tate ultimately ensures a complementary and contributary insertion.

Establishing the foundation for the sophisticated interiors, Studio Tate specified Tongue n Groove solid oak flooring in a Hekke colour, finished in a timeless chevron pattern. “When considering the flooring for this home, we envisaged an engineered board in either a chevron or herringbone pattern,” explains Liz Ride, Associate at Studio Tate and lead designer on the project. “Scale was an important consideration as we were working with quite modest-sized spaces. Ultimately, we selected Hekke in a chevron pattern as it offered the perfect tone and structure, elevating each space while also complementing our clients’ love for the colour green.”

A deeply saturated palette enriches the natural elements, adding depth and moments of interest amongst the open and connected living spaces. Contrasting and muted greens are enlivened through matched stonework and intricate veining, expressed against the natural materiality of the durable solid oak flooring. “In designing this home, we sought to strike a balance between classic and contemporary design. The chevron pattern was ideal for this design narrative,” explains Liz. “The variation in tone and texture that the Tongue n Groove chevron boards provide is truly unique. It brings an immediate sense of warmth and character to the project, which is important in residential and commercial spaces alike.”

The vital role the flooring plays in the overall design is reaffirmed in the collaborative relationship between Tongue n Groove and Studio Tate.

Sustainable in production, durable in practice and timeless in design, the three layers of solid oak in the Tongue n Groove boards play an integral role in setting the tone from which the home’s overall character is established. “We selected this colour for its grey-brown base, offsetting emerald tones within the joinery and the soft, tonal colours of the walls and inbuilt cabinetry,” says Liz. “During our selection process it was crucial that the chosen timber did not have any yellowish tones, but was rather soft, cool and full of character.”

The timeless nature of the chevron flooring helps to express the connection to the cottage oeuvre, while also acting as a gesture of the considered contemporary reinterpretation. The vital role the flooring plays in the overall design is reaffirmed in the collaborative relationship between Tongue n Groove and Studio Tate. “We work regularly with Tongue n Groove, and they are always a pleasure to work with,” says Liz. “When required, they provide an array of samples and technical advice – their expertise helping us make an informed decision for our clients and contributing to a cohesive and resolved outcome.”

At its core, Malvern Residence II maintains a deep respect for traditional methods, while adding a modernised take through available technologies. Ultimately, the result combines the best of the past and the present, and through a sensible and sensitive restraint, a nurturing home is created.

A deeply saturated palette enriches the natural elements, adding depth and moments of interest amongst the open and connected living spaces.