Matt and Carly Skinner
Homes
A very special mid century home in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Beaumaris, belonging to wine writer and sommelier Matt Skinner, his wife Carly, and their two young kids Indi and Ned.
A very special mid century home in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Beaumaris, belonging to wine writer and sommelier Matt Skinner, his wife Carly, and their two young kids Indi and Ned.
Rear of the house (view from the backyard), bedrooms on the first floor, central stairway. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Front lounge room with fire place. Original bench seating with reupholstery by Grazia & Co, skylight which runs the full length of the room, Supertuft Escape Velour carpet in ‘Abby’. ‘Treehouse’ artwork by Sally Smart. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Hallway from front dining area through to backyard, full height windows with views to the central courtyard and pool area. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
The Beaumaris home of Matt & Carly Skinner and family. Above – front lounge room with original brickwork, skylight and fire place. Original bench seating has been reupholstered by Grazia & Co, carpet is Supertuft Escape Velour carpet in ‘Abby’. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Downstairs living room. Original Kartell nesting tables, Armadillo & Co Petunia weave rug, unknown artwork rescued from an op shop in St Kilda, and homemade Ojos De Dios (God’s Eyes). Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
First floor bedroom. Californian redwood timber, Supertuft Escape Velour carpet in ‘Vamoose’. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Dining area. Unto This Last (London) table and bench seats, and print by Universal Everything (LA). Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Kitchen. The couple have kept the kitchen in its original condition, with only the appliances replaced. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
View of the pool from the first floor bedroom. Pop & Scott pots, landscape design and work by Elk Landscape Developments. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Matt and Carly Skinner at home. Photo – Annette O’Brien. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.
Matt Skinner, his wife Carly and their young kids Indi and Ned live in a very special house.
The house was designed and built in 1960 by much respected Melbourne architect David Godsell (father of Sean Godsell), as his family home. Set on an elevated block in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Beaumaris, and constructed using brick, glass and Californian redwood, the house is designed over various levels, in response to the sloping site. Matt and Carly purchased the home from David’s widow, Terri Godsell, eight years ago, and have been fiercely passionate about preserving and restoring it ever since.
The footprint of Matt and Carly’s home and most interior details, including cabinetry, remain original. ‘We’re really trying to keep the house true to the original David Godsell design, so we have avoided any structural changes’ says Carly. The pair have undertaken cosmetic improvements only – replacing carpets and appliances in the kitchen, repainting, and replacing window dressings throughout.
Outside, a lot of landscaping work has been done, including the installation of an amazing above-ground plunge pool in the sun-drenched central courtyard (constructed from a concrete water talk!). However, by and large, the house is still very much as Godsell intended it to be. ‘The longer we live here, the less we want to do, and we’re so glad that the house remains in its original state’ Carly says.
The house is David Godsell’s earliest residential project, and exemplifies his personal design philosophy – that buildings should ‘embrace and enhance the natural beauty of their site’. Indeed, nestled amongst mature trees, with sweeping floor to ceiling windows throughout, the home certainly makes the most of its leafy surrounds and elevated outlook. It’s nice (and so rare!) to see a house dwarfed by trees, set in the middle of a generous block, enveloped by garden at both the front and rear.
Great architecture is one thing to admire from a distance, and another thing entirely to experience first hand. Living in a home like this, designed by a respected architect for his own family, offers a rare and very personal insight into Melbourne’s architectural history.
‘We obviously love David’s design, the house functions perfectly as a family home – there’s nothing ostentatious, its very understated and beautiful in its simplicity’ Carly says. For the Skinner family, Godsell’s vision is apparent everyday, in the way they use and enjoy their home, and the way this house still functions efficiently for a family of four more than fifty years after it was first built.
Matt Skinner is a brilliant and, it must be said, semi-famous sommelier and wine consultant. Matt’s brand new and very personal project is an online retail wine business called The Drinks List, which sells packs of interesting and affordable wines handpicked by Matt – shipping Australia-wide, it’s well worth a look!
Insanely jealous!
What a home! Love how it’s been sympathetically preserved and updated and the wonderful use of colour and texture.
I’m not usually one to comment,but…what a pleasure to see inside your home,thanks
It is so nice that this young couple have appointed themselves custodians of this lovely piece of Melbourne (Australian) architectural history. I really admire the integrity of this home. Love the concrete tank pool and the landscaping. On a personal note I was brought up in a similar vintage house by the beach and we had that same California redwood! Alas the house was long ago demolished so I am feeling quite nostalgic.
Wow. What beautiful history. This is a truly magic home.
Sorry but the photos don’t seem to be showing much, a tiny glimpse of a bedroom or kitchen. Not very inspiring today unlike the normal posts. Only bad feedback I’ve ever given.
Just lovely.
( I especially love that Matt and Carly kept the original kitchen)
I love the way the minimal interior design allows the architecture to shine in this beautiful home. And there are so many cosy nooks to enjoy a glass of red!
Lovely architecture, and landscaping, very inspiring. x
Hi I’m just wondering where you bought the table and benches from. From.
Thanks Susan
I’m in love….and Anette what did you shoot on/with? Your documentation is magic and at points feels like a film capture. Bravo.
The Redwood is INCREDIBLE! I’m a huge fan of restoration over renovation. It’s wonderful to see this happening globally!
What an incredible house! That pool! How do i befriend these peeps for the summer?? (or winter, that fire place!!)
So great! That kid’s room carpet colour is so perfect for the house. Great improvements made. Such obvious respect and love for mid century design. Dream house!
Whta beautiful mid century architecture by a legendary Melbourne architect! A real pleasure to see inside this beauty, thanks Design files :)
The design has lasted very well. I recall working with David at Gilford Bell’s office and discussing the project with him. Certainly knew what he was doing! You can see the FLW influence in David’s designs.
Hi, lovely to see a quality piece of architecture loved and enjoyed. One question, what is the benchtop made from? We have a 1960’s house with a similar kitchen that desperately needs the benchtop replaced and would love to keep it original as well.