Tom and Kristan Dwyer and Family
Homes
4th December, 2013
The Mt Eliza home of Kristan Dwyer and family. Reading Nook. Anthropologie cushions on chair, Trophy inherited from Kristan's great Grandmother. Wall colour - Dulux Domino. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
The Mt Eliza home of Kristan Dwyer and family. Entrance - vintage school map from New York, and Kristan's father's antique writing desk. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
Sitting Room - Old battered leather couches ('great with kids' says Kristan!). Wall colour - Dulux Domino. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
The Mt Eliza home of Kristan Dwyer and family. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
Today we have a fabulous family beachside house to share, in Mt Eliza on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. This is home to the Kristan and Tom Dwyer and their four kids, Coco (8 years), Freddie (6 years), Daisy (5 years) and Johnny (3 years). Oh, and Jagger, the Blue Heeler puppy! Suffice to say this is one busy household!
The Dwyer family have lived here just a little over a year. Not long after moving in they undertook some basic renovations to modernise and personalise the space - the whole house was recarpeted with Herringbone Sisal, and the interior repainted. In the hallway and front entrance section of the house, a dramatic effect was achieved using Dulux 'Domino' (how great do those dark walls look!?), whilst the back rooms were brightened and freshened up with white paint throughout. Additional storage and shelving was added throughout, window furnishings removed and light fittings changed. The result is a stylish and contemporary home that still retains most of its original layout, freshened up with simple cosmetic changes which really brighten and modernise the space.
Kristan has a particularly keen eye for homewares and interior styling elements, as proprietor of online store Styled Sealed Delivered, which she calls a 'one stop shop' for all tableware and event decorating needs! At home, she’s particularly fond of layering vintage elements to create a sense of narrative and depth - she loves her vintage world maps, picked up in a New York antique shop, as well as her vintage poster collection.
Kristan says what her family loves most about living here is being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, whilst still being less than an hour away from town. 'The beach is at the end of the street and it is a great spot for kids to be kids' she says. 'It is very old school here, kids still ride skate boards in the street. The natural beauty of Mt Eliza is very inspiring and it has a lovely village community feeling'.
Huge thanks to Tom and Kristan for sharing their home with us today...!
Dining. Neon Pop Candle sticks on mantle piece, and lustre votive on table from StyledSealedDelivered. Church pews salvaged from original church in Malvern. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
Master bedroom. Large oversized Pineapples from Sasson Home. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
Master bedroom. Sally Campbell Quilt and Villa Maison Dresser. Large oversized Pineapples from Sasson Home, vintage mini suitcase found at Kristan's great uncles house. Leather Hurricane Lantern. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
Freddie & Johnny's Room. Yellow single bed from Incy Interiors, Donna Wilson Big Ted. Carved wooden Pinocchio. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
Freddie & Johnny's Room. Yellow single bed from Incy Interiors. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
Library style shelves for displaying Kristan's collectables. Wall colour - Dulux Domino. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
Library style shelves for displaying Kristan's collectables, including a Mexican Kissing Bowl (a wedding present), Eskimo book ends from Kristan's Mother and a collection of Silver pieces bought at markets and op shops. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
Leather safari chairs in the sitting room. Photo - Eve Wilson, styling - Andrea Moore.
The boys room is picture perfect ! How cute is that cuddly grizly bear!
Stunning styling!
Beautiful. Can anyone tell me where the library is from?
Such a beautiful home. Absolutely love it. Warm, fun and tasteful – the total package.
Edwina – the library is from Domayne. They don’t have the exact same model now, but there is something similar with louvered doors.
Gorgeous… i LOVE the dark walls. It’s moody and yet feels so clean and airy!
where is the dining table from????
That sitting room looks so inviting. Wish I could curl up on that couch now! Gorgeous home.
Loving that Sally Campbell quilt..
Great home! Any ideas where the kids white with green cross bedspreads came from? They are awesome!
Love love love it all Kris. Well done!!! Very clever girl. Love Styled Sealed and Delivered too. What a great concept. You have some beautiful items for sale there and great styling ideas.
Absolutely stunning, love everything about this house. Would love to see an exterior shot!
I would also love to know where the kids bedspreads are from please. Love the green crosses. Beautiful home.
JESS and DAWN The kids bedspreads are from Country Road.
Well done Kris – looking good!
Lucy! Why have you not released a book of TDF Australian homes yet?? You should! This one is awesome. Thanks for bringing it to us.
A beautiful home, considered and comfortable. Please tell me where the dining room light comes from.
Thanks for sharing this lovely multi-mood home contrasting quiet areas with deep colours and the crisp airiness of the lighter areas. Loved the wood in the ceiling featured and the sisal floor-covering.
What a warm, welcoming palette.
I’m also moved to comment – don’t often, but send Congratulations to Tom & Kristan for a stylish, practical and individual treatment. Well done – I love it all.
Your home has imagination, daring, style and creativity in spades! Congratulations Kris and Tom
Gorgeous home. Beautiful, warm styling. Love it all.
great job on the boys rooms!
OMG, love the style of the house. I’ll definitely have to contact this lady to help me decorate and design my house in the near future. Love the furniture, the color of the walls, all the little details… all the pieces together make it perfect at my eyes, funky and cosy.
Thank you Kristan & Tom for opening your door to us and sharing your little world.
This is very original. I haven’t seen anything like this before. I love the dark colour on the walls and the colourful homewares that make it pop. Definitely going to check out your website for more creative inspiration. Thanks kris.
Gorgeous home
Absolutely stunning!
Hi Edwina,
I think the library is from Perfect Pieces.
I’m such a fan of homes with personality, and this house has it in spades. I’m not surprised though having bought a couple of things from Kristan’s site. She is a whirlwind of ideas and passion and was super encouraging for someone like me who has no idea about styling anything! Thanks again Kris
I would enjoy a nice vine in this house, very welcoming!
Gorgeous home, where is the Mick Jagger print from? I love it
Amazing. I love the wall colour. And all the touches. Very talented designer
What a lovely home. I would never have thought dark walls could look that fantastic! Beautiful detailing. Inspiring. Makes me want to redecorate immediately!
Great so see a couple who are happy to break the Australian design cliche of stark white walls. Nice!
Fabulous Kristan, beautiful home!!
Where is Mick from Kristan? ;)
What a gorgeous home! Love the dark walls and the mix of vintage, family heirlooms and new pieces.
Hi Stephanie & Jo,
Mick Jagger artwork from Smith Street Bizarre – purchased @ 6 years ago.
Hi Kristan, your new place looks fabulous!! I am so coveting your industrial details. Caitlin says hello to Freddie.
Gorgeous Kris!
Thanks Kristen for sharing your home which looks so welcoming interesting and comfortable. I would love to know where your cane chair in the library is from
I want to live here! Thank you for sharing your style with us all.
Beautiful, all of it!
Are you willing to share the paint color of that perfect creamy off white used in Freddie & Johnny’s room? (and perhaps other spaces.. it appears similar on my screen.)
Hi Prue McRae,
The Cane chair was from a closing down sale – sorry i couldn’t be more helpful. I suggest that you will be able to find something similar in Cane Shops – Happy Hunting
Hi Amanda @ Wildly Simple the paint colour is Dulux Duck White Quarter Strength
Beautiful home! Loved the stall and the table setting at the recent fair too!
Great home folks, very nice indeed.
Hoping you might share the source of the shelf supports in the boys rooms?
Lovely place. I’d also like to know source of shelf supports in boys room.