A little bit country

A lush and leafy setting inspired the botanical beauty and country-style comfort of this Mornington Peninsula home

- SHELLEY TUSTIN

There's a universal appeal to traditional interiors, which interior designer Amy Spargo understands well. “Often, they are the result of a collection of pieces that have been gathered over time. You feel that in a space: the history, the stories, the layers. They wrap around you and make you feel good.” This sense of comfort, born of history, is readily apparent in her family’s latest home adventure. Although fully renovated over a short time — eight months from transfer of keys — the home is rich with stories: patinaed antiques, treasured pieces, and patterns that have been awaiting their time to shine.

Built in the 1970s, but with the charm of a much older house — including panelled sash windows and external shutters — the home had good bones to work with.