A Warm And Wonderful 1950s Home In North Warrandyte

The 1950s house of designer Vy Costen, marine scientist Andrew Costen, and their three boys is located in North Warrandyte, where many of Melbourne’s underrated mid-century gems lie! 

The house is situated on the former Koornong Experimental School site, which operated here in the 1940s. Following its closure, the site was subdivided into 12 blocks, with Vy and Andrew’s house completed on one of four vacant lots between 1953 and 1955. 

Many of the home’s original features remain today, including the wonderful exposed stone walls, timber panelling, and charming retro kitchen!

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Life In One Of Melbourne’s Best Mid-Century Homes!

This 1965 house was designed by John Hipwell, an architect who designed many properties in the Warrandyte area, and is the next door neighbour of Vy Costen’s home above! 

This particular property remained in the hands of the original owner until last year, until being purchased by Anna Byrnes at a hotly contested auction.

Being the owner of styling business Styling Spaces, Anna has placed her individual style on the home, but many of the original features remain. Among highlights are timber-clad walls and floor-to-ceiling windows running the length of the house, creating an indoor-outdoor living space. Another feature is the 1960s oven (a very expensive, high-tech purchase at the time!), which Anna has nicknamed ‘The NASA Oven!’

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An Epic 1970s Masterpiece

When a real estate listing declares a property ‘unlike any others on the market’, it’s reasonable to presume a little bit of hyperbole. But in the case of this late 70’s Australian modern classic in Glen Iris, this was absolutely the truth!

Designed by prolific Australian architect Kevin Borland (the father of one of Australia’s most well-known contemporary photographers, Polly Borland), this wild and wonderful four-bedroom home had only two owners in its four-decade life, until being sold in March this year. 

With original masonry, timber work, tile and parquetry, plus a striking facade and indoor gardens, this Glen Iris house truly took our breath away! 

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An Original Mid-Century Queenslander With Millennium Modern Flair

The spontaneous purchase of a rundown, but award-winning modernist dwelling in Brisbane’s leafy west, heralded an interstate move from Melbourne and the start of Bronwyn Labagnara’s new interior design studio, Hannah & Co. Design.

Hannah & Co. Design worked collaboratively with a local architect, Bruce Mason, and builder, Jon Tucker, to honour the integrity of the original home, celebrating the modernist elements that worked well, while enhancing spatial functionality.

This classic house has been elegantly adapted to a contemporary standard, and given a dose of decorative flare.

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An Expertly Renovated, Architect-Designed, Mid-Century Home

This 1969 house designed by architect Bill Baker was likely to be demolished, until interior designer Amelia Hesketh, founder of Frank Designs, swooped in to save the day!

Since purchasing the property in Sydney’s Lindfield seven years ago, Amelia has completed a thoroughly sympathetic renovation.

By sticking to her guns, and employing skilled craftspeople along the way, she’s created a family home that captures the best of 1960s design. 

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This Unparalleled Mid-Century Masterpiece Is The DREAM Home

The ‘Mirrabooka House’ in Castle Hill is a bona fide bombshell, and as of last month, it’s up for sale! 

The 1961 house was designed by architect Bruce Rickard, one of Australia’s most prolific modernist architects, who was heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. 

The single-storey residence contains five bedrooms inside its sandstone L-shaped building, with incredible details ranging from a Japanese koi pond, to a waterfall, lime green bathroom tiles, and intricate stone work. 

In welcome news for fellow mid-century enthusiasts, the house received a state heritage listing in the past 12 months.

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An Expertly Updated 1970s gEM

Interior designer Catherine Mazzotta of Modernist Interiors Eltham has made a career out of renovating and restoring mid-century properties, including her own family home in Hurstbridge!

Originally built in the 1970s by renowned Melbourne home builders Fasham Johnson, the house combines slate floors, timber ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing northern light to stream into the living areas. The large kitchen opens up onto a communal dining and living zone, taking advantage of an entire wall of glazing overlooking the beautiful bushland.

The house hit the market in May 2020, and quickly sold the following month.

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A Mint Condition Mid-Century Mansion Goes Under The Hammer

Also going up for sale in late 2020 was the 1964 former private residence of architect Ernest Fooks. 

Located at 32 Howitt Road, Caulfield North, the outstanding three-bedroom structure is brick-clad inside and out, complemented by a slate-shingled roof, and a garden with original plantings! 

The interior retains most of its original fixtures and finishes today, including in-built polished teak joinery throughout. Of particular interest ate the floors, which move from a terracotta-tiled entry foyer, to herringbone parquetry in the library, and original terrazzo tiles throughout the rest of the residence.

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