10 Of Our Favourite Rental Homes From 2023

10 Of Our Favourite Rental Homes From 2023

Homes

by Lucy Feagins, Editor

Framed print by Mia Boe. Limestone totem sculpture by Grace Dlabik. Painting by Rebecca Suares-Jury. Fig tree from @_strangeplantlady. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Painting by Rebecca Suares-Jury. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

The light-filled dining area. Ceremonial Sepik Yam Mask on wall. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Grace Dlabik’s modernist family home is equipped with a magnificent pool! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Grace Dlabik’s Modernist + Accessible Family Home

Grace Dlabik (creative director, artist, and director of BE. ONE) spent 20 years looking for an accessible Melbourne rental property to comfortably and safely live with her son, Elijah, who lives with cerebral palsy.

Two decades later; she finally secured this Donvale modernist 1970s house. While the property isn’t fully accessible, its wide hallways, brick floors, and generous spaces have marked a huge improvement in the family’s quality of life, allowing Elijah to move around the home in his electric wheelchair and be easily bathed.

Originally designed for an artist by mid-century architect Charles Duncan, Grace has styled the home, nicknamed Art Haus, as a space for creation and community.

Read the full story here

Camille Laddawan beaded artwork. Monde sofa. Sādo coffee table by Sean Brickhill. Table and stool bought from Facebook Marketplace. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson

Zachary Frankel mirror. Hay light. Dining table and benches made by Tilly Barber. Theodosius Ng ceramic (left). Stools bought from Facebook Marketplace. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson

Artwork by Allie Webb. Zachary Frankel side table. Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair restored by Tilly for Homebody. Cestita table lamp designed by Miguel Mila. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson

An Alistair Knox Rental Home For Family + Friends

We’ve said it before and we’ll say again, local creative Tilly Barber knows how to find a great rental property!

The founder of furniture label Monde and styling studio Homebody recently moved into this North Warrandyte property with her son Mars (8) and friend Bianca Dansie, founder of Shen Space.

Both Tilly and Bianca were already living locally at the time, but they saw an opportunity to pursue this multi-dwelling property and its generous grounds (including a pool and tennis court) to better suit their home and work lives.

Together, they’ve enhanced the original Alistair Knox design with natural materials, including old methods of finishing and preserving timber.

Read the full story here

Artwork on left wall ‘Picasso Jug Beneath a Lunar Eclipse’ (2022) by Miranda Skoczek. Eames Rocker. Jardan cushions and mirror. B&B Italia Alanda coffee table. Artwork to left of mirror by Leah Fraser, and below by Claudia Greathead. Artwork on top right wall by Greeny Purvis Petyarre. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks. Photo – Eve Wilson

Editorial styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks. Photo – Eve Wilson

‘Picasso Jug Beneath a Lunar Eclipse’ (2022) artwork by Miranda Skoczek. Eames LCW Plywood Chair and Rocker. Baxter table. Loom rug. Eames Rocker. B&B Italia Alanda coffee table. Jielde lamp. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks. Photo – Eve Wilson

Artist Miranda Skoczek’s ‘Carnivalesque’ Family Apartment

Miranda Skoczek describes her Camberwell, Melbourne apartment as a ‘curious mix of art deco and quasi Tudor-esque’ features.

The home is one of two apartments in a circa 1930s brick building, which contains a quirky combination of curved balconies, arched windows, and decorative wrought iron details.

We recently visited the artist and her son Harper in their apartment, naturally decorated in Miranda’s convivial and colourful style!

Read the full story here

Yum Dining Table by Fearon. Halo Dining Chairs by SBW. D’Avril Vase by Tse & Tse. Little People Chandelier by Kenneth Cobonpue. Artwork: Portrait, ‘Broken Blue’ by Mishele Doueihy. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson

The expansive warehouse has been cleverly divided into spaces with Mishele’s impressive collection of art and objects. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson

MiN701 Sofa by Ethnicraft. Blanket by Loewe. Swole Side Table by Blu Dot. Black Future Curve Ceramic by Jan Vogelpoel. Brass Vase by Tom Dixon. Sequence Coffee Tables by Coco Flip. Sphere Incense Burner, Black Marble by Addition Studio. Brass Cocktail Coasters by Corey Ashford. Petrine Single Pendant by Nightworks Studio. ‘Piece of Shit’ sculpture by Mishele Doueihy. ‘A Single Man’ painting by Mishele Doueihy. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson

An Uber Stylish Rented Melbourne Warehouse, Transformed Beyond Belief

Whoever said a rental property can’t feel like a personalised home has never met Mishele Doueihy.

The artist and designer moved into this Fitzroy, Melbourne converted warehouse in 2019, shortly after the rare 170 square apartment had been divided and sublet into eight makeshift units, resulting in major damage.

The property had been renovated and restored, but it remained cold, dark, and in need of someone with exceptional vision to make it their own.

Enter, Mishele. Over the past four years, he’s worked tirelessly to bring this property to life through handmade furniture, art and impeccable styling, while reinstating the landlord’s faith in tenants!

Read the full story here

Editorial styling – Tess Thyregod. Photo – Alisha Gore

A focal point is the kitchen with its black and white checked flooring and bold lime green cabinetry that reminds Madeleine of her childhood bedroom. Hay toaster, tins, and kettle. Editorial styling – Tess Thyregod. Photo – Alisha Gore

Editorial styling – Tess Thyregod. Photo – Alisha Gore

Curio blanket. Blue sofa, Eames storage unit, artworks, original Arne Jacobsen dining chairs, and dining table marketplace all bought from Facebook Marketplace. Hay vase. Editorial styling – Tess Thyregod. Photo – Alisha Gore

A Sydney Family’s Mid-Century Rented Home With Colourful Danish Influences

Good things come to those who wait — that’s what Madeleine Bulgin (creative director and founder/editor of The Authentik) told herself when embarking on an extensive search for a mid-century house to call home.

After six months, she found the perfect house for rent in St Ives, Sydney. The 1956 house was in great condition complete with all original mid-century features, a pool, huge yard, and nearby national park for her daughters Olive (7) and Dot (3) to explore!

Read the full story here

Weave by Anna Feidler. Vase by Amy Leeworthy. Artwork by Karl Halliday. Vintage stools. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks. Photo – Eve Wilson

Cahir mostly by Australian furniture maker Norman Archibald from the ’70s situated. Vintage Tulip table. Limestone sculpture by Lauren Lea Haynes. Artwork by Charlotte Alldis. Ritual Candelabra by Hermon Blue. Tinka (lizard) by Winifred Reid from Tjanpi Desert Weavers. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks. Photo – Eve Wilson

Ripple Mirror by Zachary Frankel. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks. Photo – Eve Wilson

Grace’s bedroom. Photograph by Jess Brohier. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks. Photo – Eve Wilson

A 1970s Fitzroy Townhouse With An Eltham Feel

The Design Files’ love of 1960s-1980s houses in Melbourne’s leafy outer north-east is well documented (see herehere, and here!) but we also can’t resist a well-designed inner-city home.

This sharehouse is the best of both worlds: a circa 1970s brick townhouse with original retro interiors, in a prime Fitzroy North location near Edinburgh Gardens.

Step inside this inner-city Melbourne sanctuary shared by three creatives, spatial designer Henry King, artist Anna Fiedler, and film director Grace Moore.

Read the full story here

Michelle Campbell and Katy Louise’s Maidstone home. Artworks left to right: ‘Relief’ by Kayleigh Heydon. ‘Subtle Undertones’ by Ash Leslie. Artwork by Studio Paradissi. Various ceramics by Peta Armstrong, Leaf & Thread, Benna & Co, Saria Ceramics, Anemone Studios. All mid-century furniture sourced from Hey Jude or Facebook Marketplace. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Mid-century table and chairs sourced from Facebook Marketplace. Akari pendant lamp by Isamu Noguchi. Vase by Asobimasu Clay. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

A Cosy Retro Rental In Melbourne’s North West

Michelle Campbell and Katy Louise, co-owners of Dogfolk Pet Photography and Pretty Fluffy, spent 18 months searching for the perfect rental property to call home.

They found it in this retro house in Maidstone — a northwestern Melbourne suburb they were previously unfamiliar with — that offered the space, light, and energy they (and their dogs!) were seeking.

The couple have styled the suburban, timber-panelled home with their collection of vintage pieces, indoor plants, and a growing art collection.

Read the full story here

Vicara Julio Dolbeth Jug Rust, Blue & White from Jardan. Alice Gavalet Delia Vessel. Cane & Wood Emporium Cesca replica dining chairs. Learning From Japan print from Design Museum Denmark. Editorial styling – Jono Fleming. Photo – Alisha Gore

Still Life With Pumpkin artwork from Palette By Jono Fleming. Kitchen island bench made by the homeowner. Editorial styling – Jono Fleming. Photo – Alisha Gore

An Eclectic Sydney Family Home, With International Flair

Depending on the image or angle you’re viewing of Chad Barnier and Heidi D’Elboux’s home, you might think the property is in Bali, Copenhagen, or even New York City.

The home — which is actually located in St Peters, in Sydney’s inner-west — ties together these global influences through its eclectic design and artful styling.

The result is an inspiring and vibrant family home for the couple, their one-year old son Dallas, and bulldog Nash.

Read the full story here

Artwork on far right: ‘Lucky $7’ by Bella McGoldrick. Sofas, black coffee table, and glass side table from Facebook Marketplace. Black tiled side table made by Bertie. Italian art deco lamp bought from a bazaar. Bambou Rugs rug. Cushion from Kim Soo Home. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson

Vases and knick knacks from markets and op-shops in the kitchen. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson

Artwork on left painted by Alessandro. Butterfly artwork by DFace. Chrome cantilever chair reupholstered in cowhide by Bertie’s father. Cream armchair bought from a garage sale. Green cabinet bought from Facebook Marketplace and painted. Lamp base from Facebook Marketplace with lamp shade from a vintage bazaar. Leather dining chairs from Invaluable auction house. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli. Photo – Eve Wilson

A Fun Melbourne Rental Styled With Memorabilia + Vintage Treasures

Bertie Coad’s father is an antique and vintage furniture collector — a hobby she’s inherited, that’s on full display in her Newport, Melbourne home.

The interior stylist rents the property, and has transformed it into a playful, fun home to suit ‘red wine, dim lights, sexy furniture, and sexy people.’

See inside this cheerful and beloved home, personalised with memorabilia on the walls, a vintage glass display, and sentimental art.

Read the full story here

Green sofa bought secondhand on Instagram. Black coffee table bought from Revived Interiors. Jedda Clay metallic ashtray. Ren Hang book. Vintage mirrors. IKEA sheets. Collage of images on wall from a Ren Hang book. ‘We were undecided over what kind of artwork to put over the bed, so we decided to get a high quality picture book of an artist we both love — the late Ren Hang. We cut out all of out favourite images and then collaged them on our wall,’ says Camelia. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks. Photo – Eve Wilson

Camelia Farhoodi + Ramsay Hosn’s New York-Style Fitzroy Townhouse

The home of content creator Camelia Farhoodi and photographer Ramsay Hosn is a little slice of New York City in Melbourne.

The couple rent the two-storey Fitzroy townhouse — part of a recently-completed development designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects —  that features enough space to work from home, and house their pet snake, Leche!

Read the full story here

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