Andreas and Judy Sederof

Not every home is designed from scratch. Most of us, in fact, live in houses which are a happy hodge podge of old bits, new bits, bits we love, and bits we really wish we could change. Added to this, many older houses were built at a time when we simply didn’t value energy efficiency and sustainability.

TODAY’S home is the opposite of all this. Belonging to sustainable building designers Judy and Andreas Sederof, this house is a study in thoughtful, efficient design. With every detail carefully considered, it achieves a 9.5 star energy rating.

Written

Lucy Feagins

Supported by Dulux

Kitchen. European Beech cabinets, white Carrara marble benches, stools from Five Boroughs, copper tray from Kabinett, lights by Nud, and cabinets by Contour Cabinets. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining area with view into library/TV room. Light from Mother of Pearl Trading, marble centrepiece recycled from kitchen sink cut-out, painting Samantha Sederof, polished concrete floor and stairs by Just Stairs. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The Sederof family living room. European Beech wall cladding, and reupholstered chairs, originally sourced from Lost and Found. Paintings by Samantha Sederof, Botanicus photograph by Judy Sederof, masks by Samantha. Cushions by Judy Sederof, rug from Armadillo&Co and lamp from About Space. Phoebe the family dog on the couch! Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Samantha’s bedroom. Bed from Captain Snooze. Samantha’s handmade earring collection from her SAMIAM range. Lightshade from Cottage Industries, made from recycled Pianola roll. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Samantha’s bedroom with view out to Judy’s beautiful garden. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Samantha’s bedroom. Large pillow from Tombo, small cushion by Judy, and portrait by Samantha Sederof. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Bathroom. Tiles by Earp Brothers, Omvivo vanity from Reece, cabinet from Tombo. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom detail. Bed from Beds for Life in Thornbury. Doona cover from Spacecraft and pillows by Judy. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Study. Globe from Lost and Found, glassware from various second hand dealers, photo by Fred Zhang, and carpet by Supertuft. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom looking through to ensuite. Bed from Beds for Life in Thornbury. Doona cover from Spacecraft and pillows by Judy. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Ensuite. Penny round tiles from Earp Brothers, vanity from Reece. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

TV/Library room. Couch from King Furniture, cushions by Judy, portraits by Samantha Sederof. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Judy, Andreas and Samantha Sederof at home! Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Writer

Lucy Feagins

10th of May 2016

The home of the Sederof family in Brunswick is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when two passionate designers create their own home from scratch. Every detail here has been carefully considered for aesthetics, functionality and efficiency, and the home has a seriously impressive 9.5 star energy rating.

Andreas and Judy Sederof have run their own design company, Sunpower Design, specialising in sustainable homes, for the past 30 years. Andreas is a building designer and engineer, whilst Judy is responsible for the interior design (in her own time, she’s also a talented photographer). Together Judy and Andreas designed their home, and had it constructed by Martin Brothers Builders. They live here with their daughter Samantha, who is studying Visual Merchandising at RMIT, and runs her own jewellery label, SAMIAM.

Having always wanted to build their own home, Judy and Andreas hunted for a long time to find a block of land suitable for this dream project. When they came across a vacant block backing onto the Merri creek in East Brunswick, they knew they had found their spot. The site was subdivided by Judy and Andreas to accommodate two units (friends live in the unit in front). This enabled Judy and Andreas to downsize both their life and work.

‘This project is an example of what we could achieve by having the benefits of an inner Melbourne lifestyle, with a greatly reduced environmental impact and a high quality of life’ Judy says. The homes energy bills are absolutely minimal, with solar hot water, triple glazing, external shading, a 3.5kw photovoltaic power system, and rainwater tanks for toilet flushing and garden watering.

Inside, the house has a contemporary Scandinavian feel, with European Beech wall cladding and a pared back aesthetic. Most of the furniture has been purchased from second hand dealers, and the space is decorated with a number of beautiful photographic prints by Judy, and paintings by their daughter Samantha.

’We have loved having the opportunity to finally design and construct our own home, after 30 years of designing for our clients’ Judy says of the home they have created here. Surrounded by gum trees bordering the creek, and with enough space to live, work and pursue their respective creative passions all under one roof, it’s clear the Sederof family have created their ‘forever home’ here.