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The heartwarming feel and refined style of Lisa Mortimer-Halaliku and Brenton Halaliku’s home shows the power of simple cosmetic updates.
While the bones of the 1940s Heathmont house with a ‘90s extension were solid, the interiors were looking a little drab when Lisa and Brenton first inspected the property, due to old carpet, curtains, and bulky dated furniture. Luckily, they saw past these minor shortcomings, which could be easily updated to allow the house to truly shine.
‘We really caught feelings when we walked into the dining room and saw the wood panelled ceiling and the beautiful view,’ recalls Lisa. ‘You feel like you’re up in the tree tops, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Western Port Bay.
‘Having the open-plan extension on the existing original home meant we got the character we wanted in a home, with a more modern floor plan that really leant itself to entertaining.’
The location of the property in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs also worked for the couple, being close to both their parents and Brenton’s work. ‘We both love and need green space but could also never be too far from the city, so it feels like a good compromise for us,’ Lisa says. ‘We often say it feels like living in the Dandenongs with the perk of being only a 30-minute drive from the city, and we can also walk to the train.’
When Lisa and Brenton moved into the house in 2023, they first removed the majority of the carpet and polished the existing Tasmanian oak floorboards. ‘This made things feel fresh and clean and bounced light around beautifully,’ says Lisa. ‘We also removed almost all of the window coverings, because they were heavy and dated, and truthfully, my allergies needed the carpet and curtains gone.’
The stylish feel of the interiors today is largely owing to just small updates, including adding new joinery, handles, and several coats of paint.
The only actual renovation was to the ensuite, which was begging for a modern update. ‘It had been renovated in the ‘90s and was dated and no longer in great condition, so we felt like this was a room that we could gut and add our personal style into without feeling guilty,’ says Lisa.
It’s rather ironic given her job as a makeup artist, but the last thing Lisa wanted for the ensuite was strong lighting. ‘I know everyone complains about hotel bathroom lighting, but that’s exactly what I wanted — no one should have to get undressed under a white downlight!’ she says. ‘I do my makeup in another room, so the lighting was designed specifically to be calm and moody, rather than task lighting.’
Drawing inspiration from Japanese stays, and leaning on the advice of an architect friend, Lisa selected a handmade dark green tile for the ensuite walls, paired with cream tiles underfoot, and a custom walnut vanity. SK Renovations completed the new bathroom in just three weeks.
In other rooms, paint has played a huge role in giving each space a unique feel. Initially uncertain about the home’s existing butter yellow walls, Lisa and Brenton quickly grew to love the gorgeous warmth they bring to the kitchen and dining area, which they’ve embraced in subsequent updates (‘and it would have taken an enormous amount of time or money to change!’ Lisa says).
The blue walls in the living room, and their son Eli’s bedroom, were heavily inspired by stylist Lucy Williams’ internet-famous London home. ‘They’ve been selected very strategically, as they need to get a good amount of light throughout the day so that they feel calm and cosy versus cold,’ says Lisa. ‘Lucy’s home is also what inspired me to paint the windows and doors in a high gloss yellow in our lounge room.’
Lisa has two favourite parts of the home: the generous kitchen and dining area that makes entertaining easy, and the stained glass skylight cover made by Fools Glass for Eli’s room. (She’s not alone, a video on Lisa’s TikTok account installing the skylight has over 1 million views!) ‘I love the fact that when he grows up he can keep it and display it as a piece of art. It feels like the first heirloom for our little family and I feel really sentimental about it,’ Lisa says.
There are often guests visiting Lisa and Brenton’s home, but when it’s just the couple, baby Eli, and their dog Watson, you’ll generally find them basking in the dappled sunlight soaking up all this home has to offer.
The best spot to watch the world go by is the main bedroom, which has been deliberately left neutral for optimum relaxation.
Lisa adds, ‘We get frequent visits from birds and possums and even our resident fox, so it makes for great viewing.’
