Designer and tile purveyor Georgia Ezra always has lots of projects on the boil - from imports and homewares to podcasts and TV-show plans. But a family in Melbourne's east had just one (big) job in mind for her.
Their circa 1935 home had been sympathetically reimagined and extended by architect Drew Cole and builders at Lane Project Management, keeping its heritage features intact. Now its owners, Helen and Health Warden, wanted Georgia to take a similarly gentle approach with the interiors. They sought an elegant look - but needed everything to be strong enough to handle the rough and tumble of life with kids.
Interiors were chosen organically, using a broad lens. "I didn't see old and new spaces," says Georgia, founder and director of Studio Ezra. "To me, the whole house is a book. Everything is connected from front door to back - it's a story."
Tactile, handmade and natural elements were favoured because "they create experiential moments," explains Georgia. The sitting room's fireplace tiles and a hand-loomed rug (all from Morocco) look and feel special.
In the kitchen, there are more Moroccan tiles, grass-cloth touches and quartzite. Wall shades throughout the home are made from recycled clay.
Earthy elements mix harmoniously with antique mouldings, plasterwork and leadlight glass, creating layered meaning. Some chairs were reupholstered and the fireguard was preserved. "We didn't want to just buy a new one when we could honour the old house," says Georgia.
Meeting the family's practical needs was the top priority. The kitchen's quartzite benches are tough enough to cope with family living. In the sitting room, a special console takes pride of place.
"On Sundays, the family get together around the fireplace and play records. That's experiential design. It's using a space and really living in it."