Tom and Kristan Dwyer and Family

The Mt Eliza home of Kristan Dwyer and family.  Reading Nook.  Anthropologie cushions on chair, Trophy inherited from Kristan's great Grandmother.  Wall colour - Dulux Domino.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

The Mt Eliza home of Kristan Dwyer and family.  Entrance - vintage school map from New York, and Kristan's father's  antique writing desk.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Sitting Room - Old battered leather couches ('great with kids' says Kristan!).  Wall colour - Dulux Domino.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

The Mt Eliza home of Kristan Dwyer and family.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Today we have a fabulous family beachside house to share, in Mt Eliza on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.  This is home to the Kristan and Tom Dwyer and their four kids, Coco (8 years), Freddie (6 years), Daisy (5 years) and Johnny (3 years). Oh, and Jagger, the Blue Heeler puppy!  Suffice to say this is one busy household! The Dwyer family have lived here just a little over a year.  Not long after moving in they undertook some basic renovations to modernise and personalise the space - the whole house was recarpeted with Herringbone Sisal, and the interior repainted.  In the hallway and front entrance section of the house, a dramatic effect was achieved using Dulux 'Domino' (how great do those dark walls look!?), whilst the back rooms were brightened and freshened up with white paint throughout.  Additional storage and shelving was added throughout, window furnishings removed and light fittings changed.  The result is a stylish and contemporary home that still retains most of its original layout, freshened up with simple cosmetic changes which really brighten and modernise the space. Kristan has a particularly keen eye for homewares and interior styling elements, as proprietor of online store Styled Sealed Delivered, which she calls a 'one stop shop' for all tableware and event decorating needs!  At home, she’s particularly fond of layering vintage elements to create a sense of narrative and depth - she loves her vintage world maps, picked up in a New York antique shop, as well as her vintage poster collection. Kristan says what her family loves most about living here is being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, whilst still being less than an hour away from town. 'The beach is at the end of the street and it is a great spot for kids to be kids' she says. 'It is very old school here, kids still ride skate boards in the street. The natural beauty of Mt Eliza is very inspiring and it has a lovely village community feeling'. Huge thanks to Tom and Kristan for sharing their home with us today...!

Dining.  Neon Pop Candle sticks on mantle piece, and lustre votive on table from StyledSealedDelivered. Church pews salvaged from original church in Malvern.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Master bedroom.  Large oversized Pineapples  from Sasson Home.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Master bedroom.  Sally Campbell Quilt and Villa Maison Dresser. Large oversized Pineapples  from Sasson Home, vintage mini suitcase found at Kristan's great uncles house. Leather Hurricane Lantern.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Freddie & Johnny's Room. Yellow single bed from Incy Interiors, Donna Wilson Big Ted. Carved wooden Pinocchio.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Freddie & Johnny's Room. Yellow single bed from Incy Interiors.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Library style shelves for displaying Kristan's collectables.  Wall colour - Dulux Domino.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Library style shelves for displaying Kristan's collectables, including a Mexican Kissing Bowl (a wedding present), Eskimo book ends from Kristan's Mother and a collection of Silver pieces bought at markets and op shops.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Leather safari chairs in the sitting room.  Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.

Vintage Poster from New York in hall.   Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.