On The Market

A Santorini-Style Oasis (And One Of Our Fave Ever Homes) Is On The Market!

Artist Phoebe Rolleston’s contemporary, gallery-style house in Glen Iris was one of our favourite home tours of last year. So it’s bittersweet to see it on the market!

Bought by the Rollestons in 2014, architect Lucy Bowen transformed the house from a quirky 80s lodge to Santorini-esque dream in 2019. With an indoor-outdoor layout, material palette filled with natural textures, and a creamy pastel colour scheme giving it a coastal feel, this breezy home is like a little slice of Santorini.

We are pretty jealous of the lucky owners who snap this one up…!

Written
by
Sasha Gattermayr

The rear of the house has sweeping high ceilings, under which sits the living, dining and kitchen zones. How good is that art wall?! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Archways and rounded walls create a curve motif throughout the design. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

White and grey detailing is softened by the rattan cabinetry and skylight. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The arched window continues the elegant curve theme and is painted in the same shade of eucalyptus green as the front exterior of the house. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

An entry foyer funnels light from the adjoining side deck. Sisal carpets, textured walls and arched openings create a coastal, Grecian feel. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The bedrooms were kept in place at the front of the house with a new coast of paint and original wooden window treatements! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The curved staircase makes a sculptural statement in the foyer. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Looking back at the house from the pool. The studio connects to the raised garden bed via retractable doors, while glass doors open to the paved courtyard at ground level. Photo – Chris Murray from SpaceCraft Media.

The window details gesture to the many design lives this house has lived. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Every detail in the house is precise down to the colour of the facade, which Phoebe mixed herself! Photo – Chris Murray from SpaceCraft Media.

Writer
Sasha Gattermayr
21st of October 2021

Before Phoebe Rolleston and her family bought this Glen Iris home in 2014, it had already undergone two renovations in the 80s and 90s. During its latest renovation in 2019, architect Lucy Bowen (who was engaged by the Rollestons) united the previously disparate design influences into one cohesive theme.

Stripping back the architectural references to Scandinavian lodges and Japanese design, the newly renovated house now exudes a calm and breezy coastal feel. ‘The existing living and kitchen were redesigned to give a softer, lighter feel and more of a European style’ explains Phoebe. ‘New materials and textures were introduced to create a calm and relaxed feel for our young family.’

The four bedrooms remain in their original positions at the front of the house (on both the ground and upper floors) with the communal areas unfolding as you move through the body of the house. Sweeping curved motifs in the kitchen wall and staircase bring a sense of architectural elegance to the contemporary design.

A set of arched glass doors are a key focal point at the back of the house, stretching to the tall ceiling, they open up the dining and living rooms to the rear courtyard. Up a set of stone steps lies the raised garden and pool (landscaped by Andrew Panton Design), which is connected to the back studio via a set of retractable glass doors.

Every element of this house has a personal touch and exacting eye for detail – down to the exact shade of eucalyptus green coating the exterior, which Phoebe mixed herself. And though the faultless art and furniture selection don’t come with the house, in-built features such as sisal carpeting, textured walls and rattan cabinetry details ensure the bones of the house retain its unique character.

‘We love the detail in Lucy’s design, like the raised skirting and indented shelving, all the small things add heaps of character,’ says Phoebe. ‘We love the light, airy feel of the living room and outdoor area, the soft edges of the render and the window seats give it all a calm feel.’

The perfect move for a family looking for a home that takes you on holiday!

40 Aintree Road, Glen Iris will be sold on Friday, 5th November at 12:00pm by Michael Armstrong and Edward Fanning at Kay & Burton. See the full listing or book an inspection here.

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