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!
