A Design Director’s Eclectic Melbourne Terrace
Homes
Light by Christopher Boots. White Ghost chairs by Philippe Starck for Kartell. Blue photograph by Shannon McGrath.
Sofa by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina.
Painting by Minnie Pwerle.
Painting in mirror reflection by Minnie Pwerle. Blue photograph by Shannon McGrath. Light by Christopher Boots.
Light by Christopher Boots. White Ghost chairs by Philippe Starck for Kartell.
Light by Gubi from In Good Company. The spotted awning is a tribute to Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
The tiled kitchen counter.
Black and white photo by John Gollings. Light by Gubi from In Good Company. Joinery by Cabinet Smith.
Mantis Wall Light by Bernard Schottlander for DCW Editions. Masks purchased in India. Tolomeo floor lamp by Michele De Lucchi & Giancarlo Fassina for Tolomeo.
A basket collection above the kitchen pantry.
Black and white photo by John Gollings. Pink and blue artwork by Jean Julien. Collection of Spiderman figures.
Jeff Provan in his Albert Park home.
A series of Star Wars stormtrooper masks is among the collectables on entry.
Carrara marble in the bathroom.
The rear courtyard before the garage/studio at the rear. Tio outdoor furniture from In Good Company.
The classic Victorian terrace facade.
Jeff Provan, co-founder of development group Neometro, bought a small corner site in Albert Park with plans to develop his future home from scratch — until this nearby 1870s terrace hit the market.
The house was slightly rundown, and located next to an infamous boarding house, but there was no denying its charm, rare inner-city features (dual street frontage with both northern and southern aspects) and location in the sought-after heritage St Vincent Place precinct.
Jeff and his wife Mariko Provan purchased the property and eventually set about renovating in collaboration with Clare McAllister (formerly of MAA Architects) and Clare Cousins Architects.
The renovation saw the front rooms of the 1870s terrace retained before a rear extension containing the new living spaces. The top storey was also rebuilt and restored in accordance with heritage controls, and a garage/studio added to the very rear of the block.
Jeff describes the addition, ‘My interest is in off-form concrete, so it’s basically a concrete shell on the back, with some off-form concrete work inside, which pierces into the front of the house slightly.’
With its raw, cool-toned materials and design that prioritises natural light, modern comforts, and architectural excellence, the addition is true to the Neometro aesthetic. It’s a firmly contemporary space, but with subtle references to the original architecture.
‘There’s a connection between the old and the new, but it’s very much a soft transition to the rear,’ Jeff explains. ‘I felt the concrete is quite sympathetic to the texture, feel and warmth of the Victorian features, even though they’re poles apart.’
What makes this house special is the collection of art, ceramics and other trinkets Jeff and Mariko have accumulated over decades. Jeff says, ‘We do have an eye and very similar interests. Probably our greatest strength, and our greatest weakness, is that we are collectors of things.’
His secret to collecting is trusting your instincts (‘it’s a very instant thing’), resulting in pieces that speak to you above all else — whether that’s a Minnie Pwerle painting, Spiderman figures, handmade baskets, or stormtrooper masks.
‘I don’t like the word ‘styled’ for our house… it’s just a collection of stuff we like,’ says Jeff. ‘We have a crowded house, so to speak, of all sorts of things here.’
It’s the culmination of these pieces that makes Jeff and Mariko’s house truly their own. Keep an eye out for the couple’s coastal home, coming soon to TDF!