NATURE STUDY

With its celebration of the natural world, this home in inner Melbourne bursts forth with fresh pattern and colour

- CHRIS PEARSON

Leafy landscapes are never far away in this three-bedroom Victorian cottage, a Melbourne retreat for two empty-nesters. Interior designer Lucinda Kimpton of Kimpton Interiors transformed the interiors. Nestled between two parks and the Botanic Gardens, verdant greenery provided inspiration. “The house had a wonderful foundation, with classic architecture and a layout that only needed a touch of modern refinement. Our task was to enhance its beauty through a thoughtful cosmetic makeover, refreshing the furnishings, updating the wall treatments, and adding bespoke joinery for a contemporary, yet timeless feel,” she says.

Calmer chameleon

“The study, or as we affectionately call it, ‘the ladies’ retreat’, was designed as a sanctuary for the wife - a place where she could retreat to read, relax and recharge,” says Lucinda. And the upholstered window seat, bathed in daylight and taking in the leafy canopy, is a favoured spot. But, reflecting its versatility, this is not just a sitting room and a work space. The room trebles as a guest room for friends and the owners’ children and grandchildren, who visit often, with a cleverly integrated sofa bed (see previous page) that provides flexibility.

Frond embrace

Drawing inspiration from the lush flora and fauna of the nearby Botanic Gardens and two parks, Lucinda curated a selection of botanical prints that breathe life into the home. “These prints, chosen for their vibrant yet harmonious colours, serve as a visual thread that ties the spaces together, infusing each room with natural beauty,” she says. Here the Colefax and Flower ‘Fernshore’ print in Leaf Green is repeated in the blinds, cushions and window seat, creating unity throughout the room. And it’s highlighted by the luscious joinery in Porter’s Paints Bayleaf. “I grew up with colour in the 1980s. It brings joy to spaces,” she says.

Getting cosy