Nestled in one of Melbourne’s buzziest inner suburbs, this four-level Georgian-inspired home came with all the grandeur and none of the warmth. Our lovely empty-nester clients—busy, social and well-travelled—were relocating from a larger Toorak property and found themselves slightly overwhelmed by their new home's heavy classical detailing, eclectic antique collection, and disconnected layout. They had the pieces, the personality, and the taste—just not the cohesion. That’s where we stepped in, collaborating closely with the talented team at Studio Mare to bring the vision to life.

The brief? Lighten things up, bring it all together, and transform the space into something that felt elevated but still relaxed—a sanctuary that could handle both solo morning coffees and lively family dinners. We took cues from Parisian apartment style, layering soft furnishings, modernist artwork, and luxurious textures like silk, velvet and natural stone over a calm, neutral base. We kept the soul, dialled down the drama, and teased out a refined design language that honoured the home’s classical bones without being stuck in the past.

Out went the isolated, high-drama zones, and in came lighter, brighter spaces with a stronger sense of calm and continuity. We played with scale too: smaller furniture for movement, bold artwork for impact, and subtle repetition of materials to tie it all together.

The result? A low-key luxe, art-filled escape that feels a thousand miles from the hum of city life—despite being right in the thick of it. It’s a home with heart, history and a whole new rhythm.