Justin and Jeanne Roebert
Homes
12th December, 2012
The stunning family home of Justin and Jeanne Roebert, and their son Gabriel (aged 10). Interior design and styling by Hecker Guthrie. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Kitchen designed by Hecker Guthrie. Incredible combination of materials - ash blond wide timber floorboards (find similar by Royal Oak), marble, white custom cabinetry and that striking matt black rangehood and tap ware. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Sweet details in the entrance hall. Hall table by Melbourne designers Pierre and Charlotte. Shoes by Camper! Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
So it isn't often I have the opportunity to photograph a SERIOUSLY polished home - a home that has been professionally designed or renovated with painstaking attention to detail from start to finish, by one of Melbourne's most celebrated interior design firms. These houses normally end up in print rather than online, but today, we have a beauty for you! Welcome to the Malvern home of medical professionals Justin and Jeanne Roebert, and their son Gabriel (aged 10).
Justin and Jeanne purchased and moved into their house in January 2007. 'We virtually bought the place via the internet from New Zealand' says Justin, recalling how he and Jeanne caved in the night before the auction and flew over - making an offer on the property after a 15 min inspection! 'Good location, North facing rear, good bones and potential for improvement - sometimes the quick decisions are the good ones!' says Justin.
After three years living here, and undertaking a few minor renovations, award winning Melbourne design firm Hecker Guthrie were approached to renovate Justin and Jeanne's home more comprehensively in early 2010. 'We approached Hecker and Guthrie with what we thought may be too small a project to interest them'. Luckily for the Roeberts, they accepted the challenge!
'The brief from client was quite open' recalls designer Hamish Guthrie of Hecker Guthrie. 'It was obvious to us that Justin and Jeanne had an underlying passion for design, art and photography, and wanted to engage people that were tuned into their design sensibilities - all the way, tying the design into the recently renovated aspects of the home (done by others) and the Edwardian architecture.'
One significant request was to open up the house to more light, and to make better use of the existing space. The footprint of the house was left primarily as Justin and Jeanne found it - even the rear garage/granny flat was already here, an addition from the previous owners, built about 20 years ago. Hecker Guthrie redesigned the kitchen and living areas for both the main home and detached guest house, designing custom cabinetry throughout, and re-fitting the guest bathroom with spectacular results! They also consulted on the selection of furniture for these newly renovated spaces - the general brief was for a timeless, classic style that wouldn't easily date.
'Justine and Jeanne had the beginnings of a collection of Scandinavian furniture and art which we took cues from' says designer Hamish Guthrie of Hecker Guthrie, who employed a neutral, sophisticated palette of ash blond timbers, tan leather, beige linen with royal blue elements throughout the home. I am firmly convinced this is actually the BEST possible materials / colour palette imaginable. So timeless and elegant.
After a 7 month build, Justin, Jeanne and Gabriel moved in to their newly renovated home in April this year. Not surprisingly - they are LOVING it! 'There is more interior light, a better use of space - and of course it looks and feels so much better!' says Justin of his 'new' home. One particularly favourite feature is the courtyard - sandwiched between the family room in the main house and guest house, and furnished with a considered edit of robust, functional outdoor furniture to encourage daily use, this space has now become and true outdoor room for this busy young family.
'We did our best to entrust the entire project in our designers' hands, and ended up with a result that is almost too good to live in!' says Justin of the renovation process. And that glowing report, dear readers, is the reason a good interior designer is worth their weight in gold! I have NEVER met anyone who has recently renovated their home, and has such overwhelmingly positive things to say... truly! Unheard of. Big props to Hecker Guthrie for another job seriously well done!
Massive thanks to Simone Haag at Hecker Guthrie for facilitating and styling this story, and to Justin and Jeanne for their incredible patience during our shoot! Also I was massively chuffed to shoot this story with one of Australia's very best interiors and architectural photographers - thankyou SO MUCH Derek! Superstar.
Living / TV room - stunning ash blonde timber, neutral linens and royal blue colour palette used to maximum effect throughout the living space. Interior design by Hecker Guthrie. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Kitchen designed by Hecker Guthrie. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Formal dining room. Artwork on mantle - 'Two Ships' by John Nicholson, 2010. Image courtesy the artist and Sophie Gannon Gallery. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Detached guest house living room. Paper collage artworks by Martin Smith, courtesy the artist and Sophie Gannon Gallery. Eggcup stool by Mark Tuckey. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Another stunning deep grey paint job in the master bedroom! Artwork above bed is 'Caravan Park (annex dog)' by Nicholas Harding, 2012. Image courtesy the artist and Sophie Gannon Gallery. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Guest bathroom. AMAZING bench mounted basin by Agape, and more black tap ware! Aghh so good. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Guest bathroom. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Hallway. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Gabriel's bedroom. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Living room / kitchen with view to outside area. Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Courtyard looking back to Jeanne in the kitchen! Photos - Derek Swalwell, production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Yes! Yes! Yes! What a stunner! Comfortable and gorgeous!
Great design- comfortable, use of natural materials and space/light. Great to see people supporting local artists and design professionals. A truly beautiful home.
Love the colours in this home. Beautiful.
What a beautiful home! I just adore the carpet in the living room.
Those dreamy yellow shoes !
Love this one Lucy, I want to pin every image! Gorgeous. Annie x
What a house! Love it all. That outdoor space is awesome.
beautiful – love that sofa! the wall shelving in the kids room – who is that by?
If only I could vote for a TDF Home of the Year! This is the one.
The guest bathroom is superb
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! amazing xx
Lucy, this house is to die for. It just looks so loved and easy to live in.
I love the blue outdoor chairs! Where are these from?
What a dream …..!
What a fabulous home! Hecker Guthrie have done a fabulous job – absolutely LOVE the guest bathroom!
Those rugs!! Drool…
Mind Blowing….. Just Incredible! THANKS FOR SHARING!
I agree with Hayley above… TDF house of the year!!
Beautiful! Can anyone tell me where the mirror at the entrance is from?
Argh! Hans Wegner’s Flag Halyard chair. Such an amazing chair. *envy*
love this so much! My idea of perfection! I have a question though in regards to the marble in the kitchen; is it hard wearing and durable? Does it get stained easily? As an interior designer my bosses always steer me away from using it for the stain factor, which saddens me as it looks so incredibly beautiful and there is no substitute really!
Such beauty! Love the courtyard. Where are the rugs from – esp the blue one in the first shot?
Where are their rugs from? They’re gorgeous.
Those blue outdoor chairs are to die for, I need to know where they are from??????
Ooooh I would love to know where a few more things are from….! Anyone know where the little side table (the one with the plant) in the guest house from? And the mirror in the bathroom? or the mirror in the entrance?? And those gorgeous outdoor chairs?!!?
I always look at these houses and wish I could make my new house just like these but is getting an interior designer something outside of an ‘everyday’ kind of person’s budget?? Would love to know experiences from other ‘normal’ people…!
Im in love with the rug in the first image.. does anyone know where I could find such a beautiful peice?
The dining chairs …. LOVE them! Does anyone know the designer?
Also the black tap ware is so elegant. Who is the tap ware designer also?
Omigod so many questions! I wish I had the answers… will see if Simone as Hecker Guthrie can assist with some of these queries… stay tuned! THANKYOU all! x
Oh dear, I think I need a lie down (in a good way!)
Hi All,
Thank you for the lovely comments – here are some leads for you – keep in mind, Hecker Guthrie also offer a Decor, Furniture & Styling service…
Blue rug – Gan // Hub Furniture
Guest House rug – Nanimarquina // KeZu
Outdoor chairs – Paola Lenti // DeDeCe
Entry mirror // Anthropologie
Side table in guest house De Padova // DeDeCe
Bathroom Mirror Gubi // Corporate Culture
Dining Chairs – Cab // Corporate Culture
Tap ware // Astra Walker
Simone x
So clever and beautiful! What about the sofa in the guest room? Heaven.
What a divine house! Is it possible to find out where the dining chairs are from? They are beautiful!
I love this so much. Nothing more to say!
Thanks all! Simone from Hecker Guthrie has kindly responded to most of your questions in a comment just above! X
And what about the floors – are they Royal Oak Floors too? If so, what name are they? Gorgeous – always love HG work!!
No worries –
Guest room sofa – Gervasoni // Anibou
Shelf in Gabrielle’s room – String System // Great Dane Furniture.
Simone x
A Big Thank you Simone!
Those RUGS and that ART. I love how the mood of the bedroom contrasts with the rest of the house. Wonderful tour!
There’s a restraint about this that’s very elegant.
Re: Allison comment 21. Just do it. People tried to talk us out of using marble but we live the natural material so much we ended up using it. We had it professionally sealed and honed. It Looks wonderful and is so good to use for rolling out pastry etc. My husband is a chef and has no regrets. It may mark a bit over time but all adds to the natural patina that you can’t get with a man made stone.
I’m the party pooper…so tired of white houses, though this one has some amazing pieces in it. Please more colour in 2013!!
Had to google Astra Walker – want that tap ware – and it’s made in Australia – how great is that!!
Gorgeous interior like always ! :) I love the graphic rugs !
I am in love with Hecker Guthrie! Everything they touch turns to gold…
I love this house! I think it’s perfect!
Could I please ask where the outdoor table is from? All the best x
This home is beautiful, very aspirational.
It’s also wonderful to see a home of design lovers, rather than design professionals. Would love to see more of this on TDF!
I’d love to know what the devine green speckled flooring in the bathroom is!
What a delightful house.
I would love to know where thos herb planters are from in the last shot, the ones on the table please?
What a lvoely looking home x
I love the matt black theme through the house. Where does the black rangehood come from?
I know the designer well. She should be very proud of herself.
I love it when beautiful old features are kept in a house, even when so many lovely new features are added. In particular the old hallway architrave with that gorgeous jester like pattern in the wood! Love the natural materials used – those floors and the marble. Wish we could get Mark Tuckey stuff in NZ too. I think that egg cup stool would be pricey to air freight across the ditch, but I would like it nonetheless!
Hi Simon would you be so kind and provide me with the outdoor wooden table supplier? thanks
Hi there,
More product questions! The navy linen sofa in the lounge… who, what, when, where?? Love.
Thanks so much!
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What a delightful home. We are in the midst of building and choosing whites, what is the colour white used? it looks perfect!
I’m so sorry if I missed the answer on this one and am repeating a question however I would love to know where that side chair is from in the first picture? The one with the fur overlay.
Thank you!!!!!
Hi Celeste.
The chair is the Flag Halyard chair by PP Mobler available from Corporate Culture.
Teneille and Georgie:
The colour is Dulux Natural white and the couch is from Poliform (Shanghai sofa).
A very delayed response Rosana ….
The outdoor table is from Mark Tuckey
Wondering about that lovely grey paint?
Thank you for answering my above question… Another one though.. Can you tell me who may of completed the fencing works on the courtyard? Really simple and effective!
The black range is GORGEOUS. Where is it from??
I meant range hood! Any leads?
Has anyone got any information on the matte black range hood used in the kitchen??? In desperate need to find out the brand!!!! :) thank you
Rangehood is from Qasair_executive range with a custom surround.
Celeste: The fence was done by Damian of Kleev Homes.
I just keep coming back to look at this gorgeous house. Stunning and sophisticated. Can I ask the paint colours of the exterior walls and trim? Congratulations on a beautiful home.
Regarding:
Has anyone got any information on the matte black range hood used in the kitchen??? In desperate need to find out the brand!!!! :) thank you
You can find the black range hood from Unicorn Kitchenware, Bridge Rd Richmond
Hi there! A very delayed question…..do you happen to remember the colour of the exterior on the weatherboards?
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful home
What brand are the black tub fill and shower set?
I love this. We bought our house in 2012 and we are still renovating. I’m wondering what colour is the front door and how did the white hallway go 5 years later? We are tossing up between a grey or a white hallway.