Despite its Melbourne setting, this house resists easy categorisation. ‘It’s not purely coastal, nor is it strictly urban,’ reflects designer Jase Sullivan. ‘There’s an English sensibility in its detailing, yet it exists in a space between worlds.’
Its owners, an Australian-American couple, divide their time between homes across different continents and view each residence as its own immersive experience, somewhere that feels ‘like a destination,’ Jase explains.
Originally a Victorian-era townhouse, the property retains its heritage-listed frontage, yet within it is transformed. Thoughtful interventions ensure an abundance of natural light (skylights and a basement lightwell illuminate even the most tucked-away spaces), and colour played a pivotal role throughout the design process.
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Jase’s moodboards explored deep, muted hues – dusty purples, olive greens and warm reds. ‘The idea was to reference their base in Byron Bay, but not replicate it – I think of the homes as sisters, not twins,’ he notes. A standout element of this property, that ensures it has its own personality, is the yellow fireplace, which emerged from a moment of serendipity.
‘I found these tile offcuts at DenHolm’s workshop, originally from a chair prototype, and knew immediately they had to be used. The shade isn’t a bright yellow,’ says Jase. ‘It has warmth and depth, a grounding presence.’
One of the clients’ favourite places to stay is Kit Kemp’s Crosby Street Hotel in New York. They love the refinement and traditional elements, such as the steel windows and doors, and how they are paired with saturated colours.
‘When I lived in New York,’ Jase explains, ‘I knew the hotel well. It became a key inspiration for this home, as a place to become immersed within. Rather than imitating Kit’s design, we saw the way she created atmosphere and depth as a core lesson in layering, which we sought to carry forward.’
Bespoke craftsmanship defines the interior. Almost every piece of furniture was custom designed, many in collaboration with artisans. DenHolm’s Steve Clark not only crafted the fireplace tiles but also created sculptural handles for the laundry room, inspired by vintage red wall sconces from 1stDibs.
‘Steve is meticulous,’ Jase remarks. ‘He considers the spatial context of every piece – what surrounds it, how much air it needs around it. His work has a raw yet refined artistry.’
Lighting was another focal point, with all the fixtures sourced from Italy to ensure a distinctive identity. ‘Lighting and fireplaces are the elements that make a space sing,’ says Jase.
‘They’re also the biggest design risks. You constantly question if you’ve gone too far, but those moments of doubt often lead to the most rewarding results.’ And therein lies this home’s appeal – thoughtful yet uninhibited, sophisticated yet playful, it challenges convention while feeling entirely at ease. jasesullivan.com.au
