Homes

A Lovingly Updated Mid-Century Beaumaris Home

The bayside Melbourne suburb of Beaumaris features one of the greatest concentrations of unique, mid-century homes in Australia. Many of these homes call for care and restoration, so it’s lucky when one falls into the hands of buyers like Natashia Ting and Peter Rosser.

The couple purchased this 1961 house in 2019, and have worked with Tecture architects to enhance its modernist sensibilities, alongside modern practicalities.

Materials and colours pay tribute to the original era, facilitating a home that is both sophisticated and playful, whilst remaining timeless.

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

Natashia Ting and Peter Rosser with their dogs, Dallas and Remi. Striped Indent Circular Tabouret from Worn Store. Copper-pressed artwork from Facebook Marketplace. Hardwood screens salvaged from Renovators Paradise in Keysborough. Light fixture from Etsy. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Vintage Noblett chairs upholstered in Ashanti Lagoon by Warwick Fabrics. Noblett dining table from Grandfather’s AxeLe Papier vase from Tutu Home. Gold wavy mirror by Middle of Nowhere. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Vintage glassware and transistor radio sourced from Etsy. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Woodpark painting by Karla Chartres. Vintage Italian Bitossi lamp from Facebook Marketplace. G Plan teak sideboard from Facebook Marketplace. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Vintage ’70s brown velvet sofa from Retro Cool Sydney. Woodpark painting by Karla Chartres. Vintage Italian Bitossi lamp from Facebook Marketplace. G Plan teak sideboard from Facebook Marketplace. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Custom-made curved rug from Tsar Carpets. Urna Vase from Marimekko. Tile-topped vintage coffee table from Grandfather’s Axe. GE Scandi radiogram from Facebook Marketplace. Vintage ’70s brown velvet sofa from Retro Cool Sydney. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Vintage Temde Leuchten raffia bast and teak pendant light sourced from Etsy. Vintage Noblett chairs upholstered in Ashanti Lagoon by Warwick Fabrics. Noblett dining table from Grandfather’s AxeLe Papier vase from Tutu Home. Gold wavy mirror by Middle of Nowhere. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Bobby Bar Stool by DesignByThem. Flowerpot VP1 Pendant by Verner Panton. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Kitchen cupboards in Laminex Green Slate. Timber handles by Kethy. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

The beautifully renovated kitchen feels contemporary without straying from the retro style of the house. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Supertuft ‘Esther’ Velour Carpet supplied by All Floors Carpet Gallery. Torbjorn Afdal Hunter Chair from The History. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Hardwood screens salvaged from Renovators Paradise in Keysborough. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

 

Treviso-1083 Terrazzo from Signorino. Vanity drawers in Laminex Green Slate. Brushed gold handles from ABI Interiors. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

EM8021 Terrazzo from Signorino. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Supertuft ‘Joni’ Escape Velour Carpet supplied by All Floors Carpet Gallery. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Vintage Tobago Furniture bedside tables from Collectika. Beside lamp from House of Orange. Artwork by Kayleigh Heydon. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

The original home facade has been retained. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

‘Most of the long-time residents in the area know the house. In fact, when we were renovating and doing the front yard, many residents came by and said, “We are so glad you didn’t knock it down or change the outside!”’ Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli and Sarah Hendriks

Writer
Lucy Feagins
11th of January 2023

Natashia Ting and Peter Rosser (and their staffies Dallas and Remi) went searching for a spacious home to buy in Melbourne’s bayside in 2018.  

They were initially disheartened with the properties on offer, that Natashia described as mostly new builds with the same big white kitchen, and an all-grey colour palette.  ‘After a day of house hunting, we’d often get confused over what we had seen because every house presented in the same way,’ she says.

The couple expanded their search to Beaumaris with its mid-century charm and community of likeminded residents. Here, they finally came across the home they’d been searching for—a 1961 brick house with the retained character of its original design by architect-owner Jefferson Jones. 

‘As soon as we walked in, I think we both felt something special from the house,’ says Natashia. ‘We both smiled and looked at each other and agreed immediately that the house was amazing.’

‘We loved the huge windows at the front with the elevated viewpoint, the large balcony, the giant established tree in the backyard and the solid build.’

Recognising the home’s potential, Natashia and Peter put in an offer on the spot, and moved in late 2019.

Since then, the couple have worked with Tecture architects and Beyond Form Building Group to  sympathetically update the property. Its footprint remains unchanged, but the interiors have been given a major overhaul inclusive of a new kitchen and bathrooms.

Natashia and Peter made a conscious effort to avoid grey in favour of warmer colours throughout to instil cosiness, comfort, and fun. ‘We wanted the house to feel homely and inviting, but not kitsch or high-end luxe,’ says Natashia. 

Tecture also helped to open up part of the floor plan, which was previously a ‘rabbit warren’ of smaller rooms. 

Peter and Natashia and love their finished home, as does Beaumaris’ wider community of mid-century enthusiasts. 

‘Most of the longtime residents in the area know the house,’ says Natashia. ‘When we were renovating and doing the front yard, many residents came by and said, “We are so glad you didn’t knock it down or change the outside!”

‘We are part of the Beaumaris Modern group which has introduced us to lots of likeminded people who love and want to preserve the mid-century architecture in the area.’

The pair have quickly adapted to the bayside lifestyle, enjoying drinks on the front porch, strolls along the nearby beach, and hosting regular parties. As Natashia says, ‘Life is pretty good out here in Beauie.’ 

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