Today we have another fabulous mid century home to share, courtesy of stylist Anna Flanders and photographer Angelita Bonetti, the incredible Perth-based team we work with closely to ensure TDF gets its fair share of WA homes! (I will get there in person very soon I promise! But in the meantime, my goodness, what a JOY it is to have such a fantastic team on the ground keeping us in the loop!).
This very special family home, in the Perth suburb of Floreat, belongs to designer and shop owner Renee Coleman of much loved Perth interiors store Empire, her husband and two kids Orlando (9 yrs) and baby Riva Ruby, as well as 'Sneaky' the dog, and Audrey the 'fat angry feline'! Designed and built in the 1960's by Bulgarian architect Iwan Iwanoff for his own residence, the home is one of Perth's most iconic houses. Renee says she had her eye on it for many years, but had almost lost hope that it would ever become available. When it did come on the market in early 2011, the family were quick to snap it up, moving in in April 2011.
As with so many of the mid century homes we feature, Renee's home is in close to original condition, requiring only minor restoration work to keep it looking its best! Interior walls have been refreshed, some new light fittings have been added, and a little 'invisible' restoration work has been necessary, such as plumbing fixes, etc. Blinds were also installed on street-side bedroom windows for privacy. Renee's next the major project will be to re-fence the garden -' to stop Sneaky from escaping and harassing the neighbourhood!' she says.
As a designer and owner of one of WA's most loved interiors shops, Empire in Highgate, it's no surprise Renee has pulled together such an inspired and eclectic edit of furniture, lighting and artwork for her own home. Mid century finds sit happily alongside contemporary artwork and quirky collectibles, giving this house a vibrant, relaxed feel. The 4m long vintage teak dining table is a particularly treasured item - found whilst on honeymoon in Java, Renee says she loves this piece the most. The original lime green Featherston chair comes a close second!
Almost all the key furniture and decorative items you see here were sourced by Renee for her shop... but which mysteriously seem to have found a permanent home here! In addition to her collection of restored vintage furniture, there's also a healthy edit of pieces Renee has designed and commissioned herself, and unique items sourced from across the globe, such as handstitched cushions and copper candelabras found recently in Egypt.
However, as with most of the mid century spaces we often feature, the star of this show is undoubtedly the house itself. 'The deceptively complex design elements create an uncluttered sense of serenity' says Renee of the timeless modernist design features that make this home so special. 'Every single aspect of the house and garden has been designed to be both beautiful and functional, which gives a constant feeling of completeness and soundness. Two years down the track, I still find a new angle, corner, beam or alcove that is perfectly conceived and proportioned. I have never lived in a 'special' home before, and there is not a day that I don't pinch myself that I have the fortune to be the custodian of this perfect family home.'
Anyone planning a trip to Perth must put Renee's beautiful store on their 'must visit' list! However, never one to sit still for very long, Renee also has a new business in the works - The Collector. Due to launch this Spring, The Collector is an online store specialising in one-off items sourced from across the globe, with 50 new pieces added every quarter, ranging from unique furniture to glassware, hand made textiles, soft furnishings and other treasures uncovered by Renee on her annual buying trips abroad. Wowsers, sounds kind of AMAZING - watch this space!
What a truly amazing home!!! Love love love!
Gorgeous home. That kitchen is like a modern version of Don Draper’s! Wish I had a bedroom like Orlando’s when I was nine.
I want to have breakfast at the bar. Oh so beautiful. xxx
Wow herein lies extreme good taste – inside and out
Light, airy and oh so elegant, I love these images, thank you for a great start to my day !
This house is crazy-delicious and what a sophisticated 9-year-old Orlando must be – his room is stellar! And I want to play with Sneaky xx
OMG! Just fell off my chair, hit my head and been transported to another time. Glorious house!
Always impressed by your Wednesday post and this one is the best yet! It is so good to see these amazing MCM homes being maintained and loved by their present owners!
Thanks for sharing it with us and keep up the great work!
I love Wednesdays on TDF!!! What an amazing home!! I wish I had a gorgeous room like Orlando’s when I was his age too!
My fave TDF house by far. Incredible.
Such a fabulous home. Love!
Amazing! Reminds me of my Grandparents house – they had the red shag pile carpet too!!
Love it – very well put together and looks so liveable
I think this is the most beautiful house I’ve ever seen on the design files! scrumptious
Love love love!
That is an awesome house. Amazing. Perfect. And beautifully decorated. The best yet :)
Dream!
Wowsers. That is all.
One of my total favourites ever! x
What a treasure. Beautiful styling and just an amazing eye for design. Bravo!
BEST. DESIGN FILES. HOUSE. EVER!
***Swoon***
Stunning, exciting and iconic! thankyou
Amazing home, inside and out. Love Empire too! x
Fantastic, I know Perth pretty well and houses/décor there have quite different vibe to the eastern states. Great pieces, colour etc etc. LOVE the Macramé hanging! …and the West German pottery….and…
Best EVER!
What a treasure!
Love love love this house… most amazing feel to walk around in it – all wood, glass and open views (and open air thanks to big expanses of working windows) to the world around you on each side. And just love Renee’s innate style… she’s just such a gorgeous person and so passionate and excited about design. x
Wow!! In the words of everyone above…best house ever!! Loved every second of this post, the singer sewing machine castings…totally amazing, who thinks to do that!
Amazing!!!
Aha I knew it was only a matter of time before this house made it to TDF. Well done Ren it looks fabulous! X
Wow! I’m in love with this stunning home. Beautiful light & timber! It’s so nice to hear that it’s as close to the original condition as it can get. Thank you TDF for making my Wednesday dreamy!
Thank you for sharing this stunning home! It has so many gorgeous elements and a wonderful feel to it. Are the kitchen and bathroom really in original condition? The bench top, recessed sinks, tap ware and appliances look distinctly contemporary and the joinery looks as new – but if it is indeed original it has been kept in immaculate condition for 40+ years – wow!
Interesting post. Nice designs!!!
Amazing!
So great to see more of Perth on TDF! This home is up there with some of the best and most beautiful this country has too offer. Stunning and inspiring!
What an amazing home, I especially Love the ‘Two Worlds’ print!
Amazing!
Some fantastic choices in artwork!
Love it, the colours in oscars room are great! The cast concrete on the front facade te has that Frank Lloyd Wright / Blade Runner feel
Looks amazing Ren xxxx
Oh my. This is an impeccable eclectic vintage style home. I absolutely love love love it!!
beautiful. beautiful. beautiful. endless inspiration ren & todd. congratulations! f x
Oh my goodness what a beaut. The exterior is like a residential temple!! And that kid Orlando is a lucky lad; his bedroom is a dream for me.
very proud of you Ren…..
we love it too!!!
So beautiful, it is just like a dream house comes true
Hello,
Thanks for sharing this incredible home!
Just wondering: are there any close-up photos available of the singer sewing machine casings?
Thank you :)
Absolutely stunning home……love love love!!! Great find TDF…..thanks for sharing such an outstandingly splendid home. Has given me extra energy/enthusiasm to find a mcm home to buy…….just need to find one that hasn’t been bastardised over the years!
Wow…how amazing is this place. So creative , I love the imprints on the front of the house!!!! Love all the swan ornaments and vases…all the beautiful furnishings and Orlando’s room wow wow.
Great stuff.
Absolutly Devine…. What a beautiful home! Xxx
Well, just as everyone else has stated , this is a house that oozes style without the minimalist look or white walls or concrete floors! It has that eclectic mish mash, but done with a great ‘eye’ for detail & colour that just fits. A dream house/home.
Great place! Beautifully modern.
The more Iwanoff houses you feature, the better! He is my most favorite of all time.
I love mid century modern; clean lines, very linear & warm colours.