Homes

Top Ten Australian Homes of 2015 · Madeleine and Karl Stamer and Family

We first visited the Stamer family home in Caulfield back in February this year – it was an instant TDF favourite!

Belonging to illustrator and designer Madeleine Stamer, her husband  Karl Stamer and their two daughters, every corner in this Edwardian cottage is bustling with personality, colour, creative projects and artwork by friends and family. It’s a beauty!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

The Stamer family home. Above – lounge room looking out onto the deck and garden. Madeleine says ‘We plan to convert the shed into our future studio!’ Quilt on couch by Leila Sanderson of Skinny Wolf. Photo – Sean Fennessy. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining room, including chairs by Industria X, Bjørn Wiinblad screenprint, Miss Wong print by Tretchikoff, Victorian farm table belonged to Madeleine’s grandparents, and larger than life Monstera leaves from Karl’s mother’s garden. Photo – Sean Fennessy. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining room details featuring the family’s wall of salon-hung artwork collected from local and international artists and friends over the years. Photo – Sean Fennessy. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining room looking into the kitchen, featuring framed Marimekko PÄÄRYNÄ stretched fabric, Madeleine’s beloved Arabia enamel heart bowl, and a collection of her daughters’ artworks on the wall in the kitchen. Photo – Sean Fennessy. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
31st of December 2015

Karl and Madeleine Stamer purchased their home in Caulfield, Victoria 10 years ago, but rented it out for 8 years while getting their ducks in a row. In the interim, their family grew from two to five, with the additions of their daughters Wilhelmina (8), Ada (6), and Hug, the beloved family cat! The family eventually moved into their sweet Edwardian red brick cottage at the end of 2012, after renovations were complete.

The couple worked within the existing footprint of the home, updating the home room by room, while also reinstating many of the long lost period fixtures. We made the changes on a ‘very tight budget!’ explains Madeleine. Alongside their builder, Madeleine and Karl created a better flowing floor plan, which incorporated wider entrances and an abundance of natural light. Ample storage was also essential, so the family installed in-built cabinetry in almost every room. They also recently converted the attic into a kid’s retreat, and have plans to add a self contained studio in the garden.

Madeleine works as an illustrator, designer and art teacher, and her creative influence can be seen all throughout her home.  She is particularly fond of colour, pattern, folk art, Mexican-inspired motifs and religious iconography. Many of the pieces in the home hold sentimental value, and include a growing art collection by many of the Stamer’s family friends, works by Madeleine and the kids, and pieces collected from family and years of travel. The result is a beautiful, relaxed and creative family home with such a cheery personality!

For the full story and many more photos of the Stamer family home, do pop back and revisit the original post!

Ada (6), Madeleine and Wilhelmina (8) at home. Photo – Sean Fennessy. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Recent Homes