How A Melbourne Couple Lovingly Updated This 1970s Gem

How A Melbourne Couple Lovingly Updated This 1970s Gem

Homes

by Lucy Feagins, Editor

Inside Hannah-Lee Hughes and Joel Bowers’ Briar Hill home. 1977 Sofa by King Living. Curtains and blinds by Curtain Machine. Vintage Stools from Curated Spaces.

Joel’s vintage pepper grinder collection. ‘Twilight Haven in Winter’ by Leon Bowers, Joel’s brother. ‘This artwork is very special to us, as it features our first home in Belgrave,’ Hannah says.

‘Our kitchen has become the hub of our home, and we love nothing more than whipping up something to eat and drink, then enjoying your meal on the balcony,’ Hannah says.

The second-floor balcony looks out to local birds in the treetops. IKEA chairs.

Artwork by Tracy Strange. La Pavoni coffee machine. Splashback tiles by Academy Tiles. 

Walls throughout painted Dulux Antique White U.S.A. Akari 10a Lamp from In Good Company. Vintage Numero armchair and ottoman, re-upholstered by Upholstery Direct. Vintage Maralunga Sofa from Gumtree. Custom coffee table by Odditi. ‘Fragmented Reflections’ by Leon Bowers (an ode to the Bowers family home in Belgrave South). Ligne Roset Kuf Occasional Table from DOMO. Cushions by L&M Home.

Vintage Maralunga Sofa from Gumtree. Custom coffee table by Odditi. Serax Paperpulp Vase from PC Objects.

Akari 10a Lamp from In Good Company. Vintage Numero armchair and ottoman, re-upholstered by Upholstery Direct. Vintage Maralunga Sofa from Gumtree. Custom coffee table by Odditi. ‘Fragmented Reflections’ by Leon Bowers (an ode to the Bowers family home in Belgrave South). Ligne Roset Kuf Occasional Table from DOMO. Cushions by L&M Home.

Commissioned in the early to mid-1970s, the residence known as the ‘Two-Storey Model’, represents one of the Merchant Builders’ more compact designs. Custom wall light designed by Hannah-Lee Hughes. IXIA Vase by Hattie Molloy.

Ole Wanscher Desk from Nord Modern. Carpet by Carpet Tech.Return to Betty C #1 & #4′ by Bobby Bowers.

Hand towel from L&M Home. Agape Fusilli Mirror from Artedomus.

Bedroom walls painted Dulux Beach Woods. Bed Linen from L&M Home. USM bedside Table from Anibou. Akari 1A Lamp from In Good Company. ‘Lines’ tapestry by Sundance Studio. Carpet by Carpet Tech.

Custom spotted gum wardrobes designed by Hannah-Lee Hughes, built by Lex Furniture. Serax Pawn Stool from PC Objects. Artemide Teti Ceiling Lights from Finnish Design Shop.

Artwork by Tracy Strange. USM bedside Table from Anibou. Akari 1A Lamp from In Good Company. Curtains and blinds by Curtain Machine.

‘Stress Dream’ by Leon Bowers. Vintage IKEA sofa. Cushions from L&M Home. Custom rug by Pasquale Cook. Parentisi Floor Lamp from Euroluce. Serax Pawn Stool from PC Objects. Vase from Mannix Ceramics.

W203 Ilumina table lamp from Euroluce. Serax Paperpulp vase from PC Objects. Prints by Chris Turnham from Outre Gallery.

‘Lucidity’ by Leon Bowers. Componibilli side table from Space Furniture. Bed linen from L&M Home.

Vintage tulip-style chair from Facebook Marketplace. HAY Palissade outdoor setting from Cult. Curtains and blinds by Curtain Machine. Carpet by Carpet Tech.

Joel tapped into his love of gardening to create the revived landscaping, planting natives amongst the volcanic rock retaining wall by Rockwalls Melbourne. Butterfly chairs from Angelucci.

 

HAY Palissade outdoor setting from Cult.

After spending months glued to real estate websites in search of a retro home, Hannah-Lee Hughes ended up stumbling upon her dream listing on Facebook.

Hannah (senior interior designer at Pasquale Cook) and her husband Joel (executive chef of No.7 & Meletos) had their hearts set on finding a mid-century residence in one of the leafy neighbourhoods near Warrandyte, ideally designed by a Melbourne architect. Not only that, but they were looking for a place in original condition.

In the end, it wasn’t a real estate site, but a Facebook group that delivered the goods! Hannah saw a post about this 1970s Briar Hill property in her favourite Facebook group dedicated to sharing retro houses for sale. Serendipitously, it was exactly what they had been looking for.

‘The house was designed by the renowned Melbourne architect Graeme Gunn and constructed by the visionary Merchant Builders, complemented by landscaping from Ellis Stones,’ Hannah explains.

An example of Merchant Builders’ ‘Two-Storey Model’, the home exuded ‘a welcoming warmth’ and had ample space for entertaining, while the combination of the timber ceilings, cork flooring and modest sized rooms still made it feel intimate and cosy.

‘I was instantly in love,’ Hannah says of her first viewing. ‘Joel later toured the home on his day off and shared my sentiment that this could indeed become our new home, although I believe his decision may have been swayed by the presence of a pool.’

The couple purchased the house at auction in early 2022, and have been lovingly updating it ever since. Small changes like getting new carpet, new lighting, and re-painting the walls in Dulux Antique White USA completely refreshed the interiors within just a few months.

One of their most notable additions was the installation of a new volcanic rock wall encircling the pool area. Transforming the garden has also been a real labour of love for Joel, who’s spent countless hours bringing the new landscape design by JALA Studio to life.

‘We are the third owners of this exceptional property, and take great pride in preserving and revitalising its unique character. Regrettably, many Merchant Builders homes across Melbourne have been poorly renovated or demolished,’ Hannah says.

That’s why she and Joel have decided to take a slow and steady approach to the renovations, ensuring this next chapter doesn’t lose sight of the original design.

Inside, Joel and Hannah have been just as thoughtful about their home’s styling. Each room showcases a sentimental collection of vintage furniture, alongside new and handmade pieces that reflect the mid-century flair of the home, including a ‘meticulously crafted’ spotted gum wardrobe in their serene bedroom, and a matching timber console in the dining room made by Joel’s father, Ivan.

The walls are also lined with artworks the couple have been gifted by their siblings over the years. ‘Some of these artworks show previous family homes, our beautiful dog Flo, or funny stories or conversations we’ve had, that they have brought to life as incredible illustrations,’ Hannah explains.

‘The first floor of our house is pretty special too. We love walking upstairs on sunny mornings and seeing the reflections of the pool water dancing across the ceiling. On warm days, the whole first floor smells like pine, which takes me back to my childhood home — it’s these little nostalgic moments that make each day here so memorable.’

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