Best of Australian Homes 2014 · Fiona Richardson and Family

Back in APRIL we shared the stunning home of stylist Fiona Richardson and her family, and I must admit this one still goes down as one of my all time personal favourites. It is such a classic, elegant beauty, and with its generous Edwardian proportions and beautifully kept gardens, feels almost like some kind of rambling Victorian country farmhouse. In fact, it’s just a stone’s throw from bustling Chapel st in Prahran.

Written

Lucy Feagins

The home of Fiona Richardson and family. Above – Dining room and kitchen beyond. Ceiling lamp was purchased in France, hand-me-down bentwood chairs, Aga stove. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen, looking through to butler’s pantry. Ceiling lamp was purchased in France, hand-me-down bentwood chairs, Gervasoni desk to the left with Zuster stool, artwork by Mike Nicholls. Wall is painted in full strength Dulux ‘Juvenile’. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Butler’s pantry. Fornasetti wallpaper, old scales (a wedding present), and ‘sad basil in sink waiting to be made into pesto!’ – Fiona. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living room opposite kitchen. Fornasetti wallpaper, Italian woven chairs from Geoffrey Hatty, Jardan Stanley Stool, portrait of Fiona’s Mum, lamp by Douglas and Bec – bought at TDF open house 2012! Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living room. Armchair from Leonard Joel Auctions, made good with Christopher Farr peony fabric, table also from Leonard Joel Auctions, painted in Dulux ‘Silkwort’, Moller chair an auction find, Armadillo & Co. woven circular rug, fiddle leaf fig tree. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Writer

Lucy Feagins

22nd of December 2014

This incredible home in Prahran belongs to stylist Fiona Richardson, her husband and three boys aged 8, 7 and 3. The family have been here about 12 years, but as is often the case, it wasn’t always quite so photogenic! When the Richardson family purchased the home, it was a rabbit warren comprising four separate addresses, with bedsits tacked on to the back of the property. Over the years the home has been gradually renovated, before finally, three years ago, the full renovation was completed.

Fiona’s decorating approach here has been thoughtful and perfectly executed. She has styled her home with a respectful nod to its Edwardian heritage, and an intuitive sense for how contemporary colour and pattern can be introduced in a period home. The result is a residence that is grand in scale, yet feels understated, intimate and unmistakably ‘real’, with just enough eclectic detail to keep things interesting! Fiona’s chosen colour palette of deep blue greys with blonde timbers and accents of yellow and mustard is just so spot on – she has an incredible way with colour and pattern. With three young boys to consider, Fiona is also refreshingly utilitarian in many ways – dark grey walls have proven the perfect resilient hue for six eternally grubby hands!

Aside from it’s great bones and strong foundation of brave colour and pattern, the real magic here really comes from Fiona’s careful layering of inherited furniture and art pieces, museum-like auction finds and hand-me-downs, new pieces and treasured hard rubbish finds!

For the full story and many more pics of this supremely photogenic Melbourne home, do POP BACK and revisit the original post! (Which you might recall also included our first ever Australian Homes VIDEO!).