Lempriere
by KWD
Lempriere by KWD is a striking renovation that pays dividends for this family as they seamlessly combine their love of both coastal and alpine regions.
From their home in sunny California, the expat owners sat down with a map of Australia and drew a circle around Melbourne. Keen to make the move back to their native country but never having lived in Victoria, the couple set about shortlisting potential homes in suburbs they knew little about, other than via word of mouth. Trusting their instincts, the couple snapped up a 1970s property set amongst the undulating landscape of Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula. And now, 10 years on, they have created a dream home where a sophisticated mix of earthy hues and natural materials create a warm and inviting tone, with an edgy, masculine touch.
KWD set about combining the family’s love of alpine regions with those of the beach, marrying the two philosophies together, delivering a home for all seasons. Careful selections of ‘sludgy’ hues and wooly textures were chosen to layer the home with warmth for winter, while sprawling decks allow for the family to bask in the summer sun.
Statement features such as luxurious stonework, a leather-clad fireplace, alongside ambient custom lighting choices make an immediate impression but it’s the life-long and meaningfully curated art collection that is most prized and loved by this family.
A striking, light-filled entrance boasting floor-to-ceiling custom leather cladding makes the perfect atrium for owners to showcase some of their spectacular art collection, spanning two floors. An impressive ‘spider’ light fitting from Porcelain Bear adds a sense of drama to the space whilst accentuating the home’s high vaulted ceiling.
Hand-painted MDF shelving with custom steel dividers is decorated with collected curios from the family’s worldwide travels, adding individuality to the living room. Dark, moody joinery was chosen as the perfect foil to the white paneled ceiling, whilst wicker and leather furniture adds texture and depth. A custom-made KWD carpet floor rug pays homage to Kelli’s love of a luxurious and monochromatic palette.
Grey layers of linen from Weylandts combined with warm timber furniture offer a nod to the home’s alpine-like aesthetic. Plush, custom made KWD carpet, handmade in India using three natural, undyed colours, provides the finishing touch and ensures luxurious comfort underfoot.
A striking line-based artwork “Many Stars’ by Ildiko Kovacs takes pride of place in the dining room. It shares company with other earthy-hued furniture selections to create a warm and inviting space, while a soft grey linear wool rug from Roger Oates frames the table, adding style, texture and comfort underfoot.
Kate’s inspired vision to remove a wall from the laundry enabled the new mudroom to become the meeting hub of the home. The natural palette was selected for warmth and masculinity; the leather trim and bespoke woollen cushions were handmade by a local master craftsman, and the pared back Caraway by Porter’s Paints on the walls was selected for its relaxed character and subtle texture.
Storage was front of mind when it came to kitchen design with the final result combining functionality and luxurious style. Designed to be aesthetically pleasing while cleverly concealing any mess, the kitchen with its hidden appliances and reverse-sided butler’s pantry ticks all of the boxes for the owder. The introduction of Italian marble was a considered choice, the owner selecting this piece under Kate Walker’s guidance – as a reflection of the years the family spent living in alpine regions, thanks to the mountainous shapes she saw in its patterns.
