Not too long ago we shared the spectacular home of Melbourne stylist, decorator and retailer Lynda Gardener. Today, we visit the home of Lyn’s business partner and long time creative collaborator Amanda Henderson-Marks. Amanda lives here with her husband Michael, a landscape gardnener, and their two children, Gwennyth (10 years) and Isaac (15 years). The family have been here for seven years.
Amanda and Michael spotted this rambling double-fronted Edwardian house for sale online, and though it was in need of a lot of love, they were instantly drawn to it. The pair had previously lived in a double fronted Victorian house for 11 years in Coburg, and were keen to tackle a new project.
With their combined creative skills, Amanda and Michael set to work straight away. As soon as they took possession of their home, they started renovating. Carpets were removed, old doors replaced and interior walls painted. Amanda designed a new kitchen, and Michael poured the dark charcoal concrete benches himself. Amanda selected floating shelves instead of overhead cupboards to display her ever-changing collection of ceramics, chopping boards and kitchenware, and the island bench was a second hand find. Amanda also sourced all the vintage pendant lamps, and had them installed by an electrician.
More recently, the pair have focussed on their sleeping quarters. They have extended and updated the master bedroom, and added an ensuite using what was previously the old laundry space. The bedroom has been painted in a dramatic deep blue / grey, giving it an incredible moody feel, and really distinguishing the sleeping zone from the bright living and dining space across the hallway. ‘The main bedroom has a large set of French doors which takes in the afternoon sun, so we painted this room in Dulux Companion, a beautiful inky blue which balances perfectly’ explains Amanda.
Though carefully considered, Amanda’s decorating aesthetic is intuitive rather than strategic. ‘Our home is very relaxed and easy to live in, it’s not precious’ she says. Employing a pared back, neutral palette, Amanda has created a richly layered space, filled with second hand furniture, collections of vintage ceramics, stacks of books and magazines, artworks, prints, textured cushions and throws. ‘It is chalky and neat rustic if that makes sense?’ Amanda says, when asked to describe the look and feel of her home. Couldn’t have put it better myself!
