Located in leafy Warrandyte, this David S Gordon designed house was purchased by architect Adie Courtney and her husband, builder Andrew Robson in 2011 – just after flooding had severely damaged the property.
The handy-pair lovingly nurtured this architectural gem back to life, to achieve the inspiring, art-filled home they now share with sons Jack (24), Ben (21), Salty the dog, Oscar the cat; Ruby, Gwen and Beryl the chooks and three (name-less) fish. This property combines the best of mid-century design, with joyful pops of colour and contemporary art to create a thoroughly welcoming and modern home.
The renovated mid-century home of architect Adie Courtney, husband Andrew and grown-up sons Jack and Ben. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Statement charcoal tiles with turquoise grout in the kitchen. Vzug ovens and Qasir tubular rangehood. Kitchen stools by Grazia and Co. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The ‘meals’ room. Danish table from Adie’s childhood family home paired with chairs sourced from Grandfather’s Axe. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The family room. Mickey print (just visible) by Wayne Thiebaud. Panting (above) by Betty Mbitjana, the daughter of renowned Aboriginal artist Minnie Pwerle. Panting(below) of the family dog and blue ceramic vases by Adie. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Clock from Harrod’s London. Kitchen stools by Grazia and Co. Ceramic bowl on table by Cone 11 Ceramics. Painting (left) ‘Fire Dreaming’ by Adam Reid. Mickey print (right) by Wayne Thiebaud. Rug by Loom. ‘Lunar’ swivel chair from Arthur G. ‘Zoe’ side table with yellow base by Anaca Studio. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The entry hall with a slot skylight shaft. Painting by Andrew Chan. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Adie, Andrew and Salty the dog. Salty is a bequest dog from the RSPCA Legacy Program – previously a working dog on a sheep farm in Violet Town, much loved by his owner who bequeathed his entire estate to the RSPCA. Adie and Andrew are now the proud ‘foster parents’ of Salty! Painting ‘Fire Dreaming’ by Adam Reid. Rug by Loom. ‘Lunar’ Swivel chair from Arthur G. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The living room. What’s that in the corner, you ask?! The original diving helmet made in 1943 is a treasured family heirloom. Paintings by Andrew Chan. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Living Room with view towards entry. Cedar ceilings and gallery walls, concrete block walls. Bend sofa by Patricia Urquiola in the foreground. Borg Mogensen Lounge Chair in blue. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
No wonder so many Melbournites are making the move out to Warrandyte…hello trees! Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Living Room. Paintings (left) and pair of paintings hung on timber wall by Adie’s sister, Sal Courtney. Train painting by Andrew Chan. Bend sofa by Patricia Urquiola in the foreground. Borg Mogensen Lounge Chair in blue. – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
‘The Auto Care sign was unearthed at my parent-in-law’s mechanical workshop which they ran for over 25 years,’ Adie tells. Opposite painting by Adie. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Main Bedroom. Little black sculpture balls (on the table) and the bedside table – both made by Adie and Andrew’s son, Ben Robson. Painting by John McKie. Teapot by Dawn Buckley. In garden beyond – ‘Sotto’ by Lump Sculpture Studio. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Master bedroom with ensuite beyond. Painting above bed by Adie’s sister Sal. Pink and yellow painting in hall beyond by Adie. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Architect Adie Courtney and family have lived in their incredible Warrandyte mid-century home since 2011. The bright and beautiful images here, though, belie the state Adie and husband Andrew initially found the home in, where flooding necessitated new drainings, services, cladding, lining, fittings and fixtures. But the couple could see the strong bones of this property, and the ‘something special’ that lay beneath the dripping carpets!
The 1960’s home was originally designed by architect David S Gordon, and Adie suspects the property was influenced by the McGlashan & Everist design for Heide II. With the concrete block fin walls and clean linear formal structure, it isn’t difficult to see this connection.
Since moving in, Adie and family have well-and-truly made it their own, as a space for art and living. Adie highlights timber-lined geometric skylight shafts as a particular favourite element, ‘each with differing angles, size and shape, giving a peek view of the eucalyptus canopy above.’ The continuous floor to ceiling panes of glass seamlessly connect inside and outside space – living the Warrandyte dream!
Known as ‘The Doll’s House’, this lovingly handcrafted home speaks volumes about the creative family who live here.
The family brought a large collection of art with them to the house, adding their own eclectic touches to the otherwise simple palette of concrete, timber, grey and white. Adie explains ‘we love how our collection of art really ‘pops’ on the walls.’ The art line-up includes stunning work by Adie’s sister Sal Courtney, New York-based Andrew Chan, Adie’s own ceramics, and sculptural works by sons Jack and Ben’s childhood. Adie enthuses, ‘we aimed to infuse our home with the essence of family – creating a real home.’
The furniture is a mix of ‘old, new, re-purposed and inherited’ – Adie’s parents’ table sits alongside Danish chairs, and a Patricia Urquiola Bend Sofa offers a soft curvy contrast to Andrew’s handmade table, made of reclaimed timbers. The turquoise dining chairs offer a bold splash, and were purchased under the guidance of interior designer Camilla Molders, who Adie explains was a ‘supreme hand holder’ in drawing together the interiors of the home.
This mid-century masterpiece is an architectural delight, but what makes it a beautiful home is the personality of the residents, which infuse every corner of the home. ‘We wanted the home to be about individuality’ Adie enthuses. Nailed it!
