Bush craft

A creative couple's purchase of a Mid-century marvel in Melbourne's north-east set them on a journey of discovery.

- Chris Pearson

There must be something in the soil, and in the air among the gum trees, in Melbourne's north-eastern fringe, where city meets bush. It became rich and fertile ground for a plethora of Mid-century homes, melding the earthy colours and textures of the bush with the airy simplicity of Modernism. Relatively recent arrivals, photographer Sean Fennessy and creative director and stylist Jessica Lillico were equally smitten when they found their three-bedroom house in Warrandyte in 2019, even if it was in need of some attention. Little did they know that their new home would change the course of their professional, and personal, lives.

They had moved from a chic apartment in innercity Brunswick. "We wanted more space," says Sean.

"We often came out here for day trips and were captivated by the architecture. It's secluded, but just 25km from the city by freeway. A simple rectangular pavilion, it would require nothing structural and its bones were good." "We wanted something with architectural merit and had looked at quite a few homes in the area," adds Jessica. "And this was largely untouched, having been owned by one family for 50 years." Designed by architect Alistair Knox in 1969, it had all the hallmarks of what the couple dubs "bush modern", including open-plan living, lashings of natural light, pitched timber-beamed ceilings, split levels, brick floors, clerestory windows and textured walls, with the bush ever-present through walls of glazing. Combining rawness with simplicity, the style was packed with paradoxes open yet cossetted, organic yet structured.

The happy find was named the Fisher House after the first owner, a Ms Fisher, of whom nothing is known.