Dark & HANDSOME

INFUSED WITH CHARACTER AND MOODY GLAMOUR, THIS INVIGORATED HOME IN BAYSIDE MELBOURNE IS NOW A TRUE EXPRESSION OF ITS OWNERS’ CREATIVE PASSIONS

- JACKIE BRYGEL

With its deliciously dark walls, the Federation home of Melbourne florist Kate and her husband, Parker, is a testament to the transformative power of color. Soulful yet serene, the inky-hued rooms present as cocooning havens, enlivened by a treasure trove of delightful vintage collectibles, sculptural pendants and, of course, freshly picked blooms. And that’s exactly as Kate envisaged. “To me, a dark palette makes a room feel very tranquil – a space where you do want to put your feet up,” she explains.

Certainly, when Kate and Parker first walked through the century-old weatherboard five years ago – instantly enchanted by its soaring ceilings, intricate plasterwork, and leadlight windows – the spaces looked very different. “The walls and trims were painted in quite a colorful palette,” recalls Kate. “There were lots of oranges, navy blue, lemon and mint green – almost every color in the rainbow. While it wasn’t quite us, we immediately felt the house itself was the right fit and we could put our stamp on it.”