Hiding behind undergrowth, at the end of a cul-de-sac, this mid-century gem was just waiting to be discovered. Interior designer Chelsea Hing's client was walking around Melbourne's Bayside area one night when he stumbled upon this uninhabited house.
Untouched since the 1950s, the interior was a time capsule of mid-century style. Floral wallpaper and shag-pile carpets filled the rooms. Captivated, the client saw beyond the dated design to the potential this home had and, after tracking down the owner, he bought it.
It took four years to bring this relic into the modern day. "We had to have an extra level of sensitivity to retain some of the natural integrity of the house," says Chelsea. Instead of completely gutting the structure, she and her team increased the amount of natural light let into the house and made the layout flow by delineating zones.
One of the most interesting features of the home is the internal courtyard - a lush, private outdoor area that serves as a focal point for many rooms.
"All of the living areas circulate around this internal courtyard," explains Chelsea. Sadly, many pieces of joinery were against the windows, blocking the view. "The biggest change we made was liberating all of the windows overlooking the courtyard from any form of obstruction, which then throws more light into all the areas," she says.
While mid-century design heralded a new age of open-plan living, the original house was a little too open. Without separate zones, the space had no flow and lacked function.
"We designed a fireplace to separate the living and dining areas," says Chelsea. The end result is a house that feels open but still maintains a sense of privacy and movement.
Styling by Chelsea Hing