The Hawthorn, Melbourne home of artist Octavia Tomyn, GP Luke Tomyn, and their daughters Ophelia (7) and Cordelia (5) is a classic, stately Edwardian.
The family purchased the home in 2017, with little to do but move in and embrace its romantic features. Octavia’s sentimental art collection is the perfect finishing touch!
Octavia and Luke Tomyn’s Hawthorn, Melbourne family home. Artworks by Octavia Tomyn and Amber Vittoria. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Artworks by artists including Ayse Budak, Tom Blachford, Isabelle Feliu, Olga Dziemidowicz, Amber Vittoria, Amy Hiley, Octavia Tomyn and the home owner’s daughters Opehlia (7) and Cordelia (5). Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Artist Octavia Tomyn, GP Luke Tomyn, and their daughters Opehlia (7) and Cordelia (5). Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Octavia at work. ‘This is where I do the majority of my painting as the natural light is good. I am currently working on a body of work for my first solo show in April.’ Artwork ‘Two Drinks In’ by Octavia Tomyn on the wall. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli.
Table bought from Facebook Marketplace. Chairs bought from a cafe that was closing down. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Family portrait on left wall by Octavia Tomyn. Artwork on back wall left ‘Gunguddy After Fire’ by Tanya McAllan. Artwork on back wall right was Octavias’s first oil painting—a symbolic self portrait. Koala Living couch. Vintage rug from Turkey. En Gold coffee table and marble plinth. Paint colour Dulux Whisper White. Neighbourhood Studio sculpture. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Artwork ‘Gunguddy After Fire’ by Tanya McAllan. Koala Living couch. En Gold marble plinth. Neighbourhood Studio sculpture. Paint colour Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Artworks by Octavia Tomyn. Paint colour Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
The kitchen remains as it did when the couple purchased the home in 2017. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Linen from Bed Threads. Plates, custom made by ceramicist Sally Flannery. Chairs bought from a cafe that was closing down. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Artwork by Octavia Tomyn. Of The Sun bedlinen. Vintage rug and stool. Paint colour Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Of The Sun bedlinen. Artworks by Octavia Tomyn. Ikea bedside table. Paint colour Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Ikea beds. Antique mirror. H&M bedlinen. Original floorboards. Original fireplace tiles that depict Charles Dickens characters. Dolls house made by Octavia’s dad. Paint colour Dulux Forever Romance Quarter. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Paint colour Dulux Forever Romance Quarter. Ikea bed. Antique wardrobe. Fantastic Furniture bedside table. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Ikea bed. Fantastic Furniture bedside table. Tapestry cushion made by Octavia’s mum. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Photo on right ‘Palm Baum’ by Kate Ballis. Antique mirror and table bought from Facebook Marketplace Oil painting by Octavia Tomyn. Vintage rug from Turkey. Paint colour Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
Artworks by Octavia Tomyn and Rita Watson. Paint colour Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
The Edwardian home facade. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
‘Cordelia’ print by John Rogers Herbert. Paint colour Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli
‘I want my home to echo the gratitude and beauty of life—the important things that shape us and remind us who we are.’ – Octavia Tomyn
Artist Octavia Tomyn and Luke Tomyn were searching for their forever home at the peak of Melbourne’s real estate boom in 2017. When Octavia was 37 weeks pregnant, they discovered this classic Edwardian home in Hawthorn, which surprisingly passed in at auction.
‘We quickly made contact with the agent and wrote the owners a letter with our offer,’ says Octavia. ‘When we inspected the property for the second and final time before our decision, there was a big rainbow stretching over the roof and it all felt right. We feel so lucky to be its current custodians!’
Octavia and Luke originally thought the home would need some work, but it turned out to be in great condition. Hiding behind the heavy drapes, wallpaper and old carpet were beautiful original features just waiting to be embraced.
‘The design of the original home is so gorgeous, it doesn’t need much direction,’ says Octavia. ‘We take our lead from the existing features and add elements that make it our own.’
The old carpet was ripped up to reveal pristine, original, wide timber boards, and the heavy drapery was removed. After a fresh coat of Dulux Whisper White throughout, with Dulux Forever Romance Quarter on the children’s bedroom, it looks like a different home!
When it came to styling the main living spaces, Octavia was inspired by the colours of the home’s leadlight windows, and historic tiles around the fireplace.
The art collection, however, is entirely sentimental, including many of Octavia’s own works. She explains, ‘Art is not chosen to work with the space; it has to mean something and be a reminder of an important part of life, resulting in a slightly eclectic collection of works and many more still waiting to be hung!’
This house will forever remain a work in progress as the Tomyn family grows and evolves. They would like to undertake some further renovations the future, but they’re conscious of taking a measured approach.
‘Preserving the original beauty is a high priority for us, while also making the space liveable and personal to a modern family. We want it to feel like a home, but also honour the beauty and craftsmanship involved in building it’ says Octavia.
‘I want my home to echo the gratitude and beauty of life—the important things that shape us and remind us who we are.’
