simply LUXE

CONSIDERED QUALITY AND UNIQUE STYLE BRING A FIVE-STAR LOOK HOME FOR ONE MELBOURNE FAMILY

- SUE WHEELER

When admiring this deluxe interior, it’s hard to imagine soccer balls being kicked around the rooms and children’s paints scattered all over the kitchen bench – but that’s how things roll in the Melbourne home of Melissa, her husband Con, their children, Orlando, 12, Aviana, 10, and Sebby, six, and the family’s adored cavoodle, Lola.

“It’s not over-complicated with lots of things to knock into,” says Melissa, even though her home has more than its fair share of bespoke pieces. “It’s actually a practical and family-friendly house, and I made sure things such as rugs, flooring, benchtops and even the velvet used to upholster the dining chairs were hard-wearing.”

Finding their dream home was somewhat unexpected, as the family had recently moved into a brand-new townhouse. However, when baby number three arrived in 2015, the couple quickly realised they needed more space, so they decided to find a property to knock down and build a family home that could grow with them.

“We spent a year working with architects and trying to find the right builder, with no luck,” says Melissa. A conversation with her friend Aimee changed everything. Aimee’s husband is the director and owner of home builders Thomas Archer, and when Melissa and Con went to look at their new house, they fell in love. “The main living area was one huge space with floor-to-ceiling glass and amazing architectural features,” remembers Melissa. “It had five bedrooms, separate sitting and rumpus rooms and great flow inside and out.”