A Calming 1980s Fasham Johnson Home In The Hills
Homes
Inside Louise’s family home. Artwork by Amy Wright. Sofa by Molmic. Alice Blush cushion by Louise Jones. Pom pom cushion by Pampa. Jute rug by Armadillo & Co. Wood heater by Nectre. Vintage oak Danish sideboard.
Planter on floor by Robert Gordon. Custom shelves by Redfox and Wilcox. Lamp by Takwei. Planters on shelves by Bridget Bodenham, Benna Co., A Question of Eagles. Hanging planter by Leaf and Thread. Alice Stone linen floor cushion by Louise Jones.
Louise wears Lee Mathews. Artworks left to right: Watercolour collage and painting by Amy Wright. Watercolour painting by Shelley Steer.
Wall planter by Kate Bowen. Vintage Oak extendable table. Oak spindle back chairs from Nord Modern. Vase by Bridget Bodenham. Storage tub by Plyroom. Hanging ceramic tassel by Philippa Taylor.
‘The outside garden provides a beautiful backdrop while washing the dishes or sitting at the bench,’ Louise says of the kitchen. Benchtop made from concrete slab. Stools by Dowel Jones. Ceramics by Peta Armstrong. Vase and fruit platter by Bridget Bodenham.
‘The original concrete slab shows its years but adds character to the space.’
The view of the main bedroom from the hallway. Beetle track stool by Greg Hatton. Vintage Habitat Maclamp. Maralunga ottomon from Nord Modern.
The large bath overlooks garden and starlight views. Concrete wall sheets and bathtub. Vases by Bridget Bodenham. Ceramic wall face by Louise Kyriakou. Hanging vases by Leaf and Thread and Peta Armstrong.
The main bedroom. Vintage Ercol dressing table chair. Beetle track stool by Greg Hatton. Vintage Habitat Maclamp. Maralunga ottomon from Nord Modern. Hanging ceramic tassel by Philippa Taylor. Quilt by Camomile London. Alice Forest Belgian linen cushion by Louise Jones. Rug by Armadillo & Co.
The bedroom retreat looks out to the native garden. Maralunga armchair and ottoman from Nord Modern. Scarlet Coral Light linen cushion by Louise Jones. Vintage mid century timber bench seat restored by Nord Modern.
‘Two Cities’ woodblock artwork by Ellie Malin. Hanging planters by Leaf and Thread.
The girls’ bedroom. Artwork on left by Louise’s daughters. David Shrigley tea towel framed by Forman Picture Framing. Bed quilts by Camomile London. Pillow covers by Nancybird, Society of Wanderers, I Love Linen and Field Day. Alice Sage x Grass Tree Sage linen cushion by Louise Jones.
A collection of sentimental artworks bring a personal touch to Grace and Charlie’s room. Traditional Dutch birth plates gifted from their grandparents. C Print by Rachel Castle framed by Forman Picture Framing. Japanese wooden star clock. Pink rosette by Skinny Wolf. Small painting by Anna Walker. Creature vase by Bridget Bodenham. Grape painting by Shelley Steer. Various cushions by Louise Jones.
Softy Chair by Daniel Emma. Rug by Armadillo & Co. Vintage chair and Kalon Studios daybed upholstered in Louise Jones fabric.
Designer Louise Jones and Ross Fernando always wanted to live close to nature, and they kept hearing rave reviews about the Dandenong Ranges.
The family were living just outside the area when they discovered this recently renovated 1980 house for sale in Mount Dandenong.
Originally constructed by Fasham Johnson, the house contained many of its original features, including white rendered concrete block walls, timber-framed windows, and plywood ceilings — updated with modern sensibilities.
‘Their signature style utilises light and space with a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. The house sits low and blends with the landscape,’ says Louise about Fasham Johnson’s homes.
‘Our home was originally a four-bedroom house, but the previous owner renovated the interior by making them two larger bedrooms, and opened the main living space to make it open plan. He also installed large, double-glazed windows that beautifully frame the garden.’
The large and flat block was a bonus for the couple’s children Grace (8) and Charlotte (5), also offering the potential for an extension to the home in future.
‘We even wrote a personalised letter to the owner along with our purchase offer detailing how much we loved and appreciated the renovation work that they had done, and if we were the successful buyers, we would hopefully continue their unfinished work in the same style they had already imprinted,’ says Louise. The rest is history!
So far, Louise and Ross have made minimal changes to the home since moving in, instead focusing their efforts on the garden.
With help from Earthcore Landscapes and Stonefield Landscapes and Gardens, they’ve filled the garden beds with natives and Indigenous plants from their local community nursery.
‘Over the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns is when our love of gardening really took hold, as it was a place of calm and grounding for Ross and me, and it also nurtured our girls’ appreciation of nature,’ says Louise.
‘We feel very privileged to have so much space to escape to when we need some quiet. It’s very therapeutic to get out in the garden, and I can’t believe I can now say I enjoy weeding!
‘Ross and I have lots of plans for our garden. We hope to add a more designated outdoor eating area, and we daydream about adding a natural swimming pond to our backyard sometime soon.’
The interiors of the home are simple and pared back, ensuring the garden is the key feature of each room. Louise explains, ‘The outside greenery effortlessly fills our space with colour, especially in the main living space, so the rendered white walls mixed with the concrete floors and timber ceilings provide that calming element to our interior space.’
The girls’ bedroom is more playful, featuring printed textiles from Louise’s own labels Louise Jones and Field Day, alongside hanging plants and sculptural lighting.
With Louise’s touch, the house is a cosy, homey, and charming place to live. Her favourite spot to admire it all is from the Maralunga armchair in the bedroom retreat, looking out to the native garden. ‘In the warmer months, we have many eastern spinebills that frequent the kangaroo paws in this garden area, so it’s such a delight to observe them quietly from inside our home.’
The family are currently working with Insider Outsider on an extension of their beloved home. Stay tuned!