Verdant Residence by Mim Design
Tucked behind a canopy of mature oaks in South Yarra, Verdant Residence by Mim Design is a quiet study in considered restoration. Tasked with unravelling a patchwork of previous interventions, the designer reinstated the original charm of the Victorian maisonette, gently reintroducing period character while cleverly threading in contemporary comfort.
The project – a collaboration between the Mim Design and longstanding clients – addresses the challenges of a maisonette, where a sense of character has been eroded by successive, disparate renovations. The brief was simple: to restore the home’s original integrity while introducing a refined, modern sensibility to serve the evolving needs of its owners. The approach begins at the threshold. A winding path surrounded by jasmine leads to the reinstated cricket bat entry door – a detail that subtly re-establishes the residence’s period identity. Delicate stained-glass panels diffuse dappled light into a modest entry lobby and stairwell.
The narrow footprint of the building required a rigorous approach to achieve a sense of flow and function. Mim Design’s response was to reposition the kitchen and living areas to the rear, establishing a direct visual and physical connection to the garden. Steel-framed glazed doors open the space to the outdoors, inviting in the morning sun. At the heart of the home, the kitchen is both practical and sculptural, anchored by a generous island that defines the space.
In the historic front lounge, a wash of sea-glass green draws the eye outward, while a carefully preserved marble fireplace is softened by curved joinery, linen drapery and a tonal silk rug. With its visual connection to the front garden, this space offers a quiet counterpoint to the more open, communal areas at the rear. The study is distinguished by deep jewel tones and sculpted furniture, while the main bedroom is infused with natural light and bordered by lush perimeter planting. In the powder room, a bronze-trimmed mirror and stone-clad vanity reinterpret Victorian motifs through a contemporary lens.
Large north-facing apertures ensure every living area has a strong visual connection to the outdoors, enhancing the sense of openness and retreat.
Materiality is handled with particular care throughout. White dolomite stone benchtops, hand-glazed tiles, fluted glass and aged bronze detailing establish a dialogue between old and new. Rounded edge profiles and bespoke, shaker-inspired joinery reference the home’s Victorian lineage, while dark charcoal and white striped awnings, paired with an elevated terrace, introduce a distinctly European inflection to the exterior. The landscape, designed by Kate Patterson Landscape Design, further grounds the residence within its setting. Large north-facing apertures ensure every living area has a strong visual connection to the outdoors, enhancing the sense of openness and retreat.
The project is as much about collaboration as it is about design. Years of trust between Mim Design and the homeowners have resulted in a residence that feels deeply personal, with each decision guided by evolving needs and a shared appreciation for quality and care. Nuanced interventions have reinstated the dwelling’s character, balancing reverence for heritage with a clear-eyed response to contemporary living – ultimately creating a beautiful dialogue between eras.
Interior architecture, interior design and furniture by Mim Design. Landscape design by Kate Patterson Landscape Design. Build by Quarters.
