Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Past and Present Collide in a Modern Melbourne Home
A design-savvy couple in Melbourne created a vibrant home using punchy graphic elements from the '60s and '70s
Cherilynne and Ashley Kemp used shape and colour to stunning effect, marrying their love of mid-20th century design and beachside living to create a modern, visually captivating family home in a bayside suburb of Melbourne. The couple were very hands-on with their renovations, doing much of the heavy lifting themselves to ensure their home will suit their family and their lifestyle for years to come. Cherilynne’s philosophy on what makes their home special is simple: “When you have gutted a house, replaced just about everything in it and filled it with things you love on the way, the house takes on your personality and style,” she says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Cherilynne and Ashley Kemp, along with their two boys Fletcher, age 8, and Barney, age 5
Location: Edithvale, Victoria
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Cherilynne and Ashley Kemp, along with their two boys Fletcher, age 8, and Barney, age 5
Location: Edithvale, Victoria
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
“We were a bit shocked at the state of the house after we moved in,” explains Cherilynne. “Everything needed replacing – the stumps, the roof, new electrics throughout, hot water service and plumbing. We stripped the house completely!”
As the couple’s initial budget was spent on getting the basics in the house to a decent standard, the total renovation took a few years longer than anticipated. “Having a new roof and floors that were actually level was a priority before we could turn our hand to the decorative side of things,” Cherilynne says.
British flag cushion: eBay; shoe last: Tyabb Packing House Antiques; Multi-faceted glass mirror: Crafty Hands Framing; light: Beacon Lighting
As the couple’s initial budget was spent on getting the basics in the house to a decent standard, the total renovation took a few years longer than anticipated. “Having a new roof and floors that were actually level was a priority before we could turn our hand to the decorative side of things,” Cherilynne says.
British flag cushion: eBay; shoe last: Tyabb Packing House Antiques; Multi-faceted glass mirror: Crafty Hands Framing; light: Beacon Lighting
Cherilynne also loves secondhand furniture, lamps and quirky bits from eBay and antique shops. This sideboard was one of her finds from eBay, which she and Ashley bought each other as an anniversary present. “I had been looking for a really good one for months,” Cherilynne says. “My mum had one just like this when I was little, and furniture from this era really reminds me of the comfort of my childhood home.”
Mason floor lamp: Freedom Furniture; Charcoal City Car Throw: David Fussenegger; resin bowl: Universal Homewares
Mason floor lamp: Freedom Furniture; Charcoal City Car Throw: David Fussenegger; resin bowl: Universal Homewares
A favourite feature of Cherilynne’s is the big red door separating the hall and dining area, which has had around 20 coats of paint applied to give it such a glossy finish.
Pomp vase: Ikea; Monaco canvas print: Red Hill Market
Pomp vase: Ikea; Monaco canvas print: Red Hill Market
Like many resourceful decorators, Cherilynne and Ashley drive around at a snail’s pace during hard rubbish collections in their area. The green dining chairs seen here were found during one of these drive-by’s and add colour to the dining room.
“Between Ash and myself we have merged our styles and I think the decor of our home reflects that combination,” Cherilynne says. “I love a bit of funky colour and mixing furniture up so it’s not too styled. Plus it has to be hard wearing with two small boys. They run and jump on everything so we can’t be too precious.”
Dining chairs: Tolix
“Between Ash and myself we have merged our styles and I think the decor of our home reflects that combination,” Cherilynne says. “I love a bit of funky colour and mixing furniture up so it’s not too styled. Plus it has to be hard wearing with two small boys. They run and jump on everything so we can’t be too precious.”
Dining chairs: Tolix
Ashley is a builder by trade and did some of the labour-intensive work himself. Some of this work included the tiling in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry.
The original house had a very pokey kitchen that functioned as a stand-alone room. Now, Fletcher and Barney spend a lot of time at the bench eating in the revamped open-plan kitchen, according to Cherilynne. “I like to cook and entertain at home and everyone seems to gather around the kitchen bench,” she says.
Tolix stools: Zanui
The original house had a very pokey kitchen that functioned as a stand-alone room. Now, Fletcher and Barney spend a lot of time at the bench eating in the revamped open-plan kitchen, according to Cherilynne. “I like to cook and entertain at home and everyone seems to gather around the kitchen bench,” she says.
Tolix stools: Zanui
The green wallpaper is a favourite of Cherilynne’s. “The wallpaper here and in the study is from the UK and it reminds me of the patterns from my Grandmother’s era,” she says. “Both Ash and I love mid-century styling.”
The vintage Harlequin Capri canisters were another great find at Alice Cafe, Books & Collectables – one of the couple’s favourite vintage stores on Phillip Island.
Wallpaper in ‘Boheme Green’: Wall Candy Wallpapers
The vintage Harlequin Capri canisters were another great find at Alice Cafe, Books & Collectables – one of the couple’s favourite vintage stores on Phillip Island.
Wallpaper in ‘Boheme Green’: Wall Candy Wallpapers
Olunda Alphabet Print: Ikea
More of the fun wallpaper can be found in the study area. This was originally part of the front verandah, but the couple decided to create more indoor space and transform it into a place where the boys could study and the adults could do some of their own admin work.
Bonjour Print: Etsy
Bonjour Print: Etsy
The family room has a lovely outlook onto the back garden, and is a favourite spot for the family to sit and watch movies together, particularly as a Friday night treat.
Yellow flower cushion: Alice Cafe, Books & Collectibles; velour cushions: Freedom Furniture; couch: Molmic; ottoman: Kmart
Yellow flower cushion: Alice Cafe, Books & Collectibles; velour cushions: Freedom Furniture; couch: Molmic; ottoman: Kmart
One of the family’s prized possessions is this mid-century polished teak sideboard, which was a fabulous eBay find. Cherilynne bought it from a lady in Elsternwick who had it in her family since she was a young girl. It was originally sold for $500 to another Ebayer, who soon realised they could not transport the 3-metre-long piece of furniture.
Cherilynne bought if for a steal at $100 and Ashley carefully cut it into 3 pieces and reassembled it in the family room. It used to house a record player and still has the mirrored glass drinks cabinet. The damaged speaker sections were painstakingly repaired with fabric Cherilynne managed to source from the US.
Cherilynne bought if for a steal at $100 and Ashley carefully cut it into 3 pieces and reassembled it in the family room. It used to house a record player and still has the mirrored glass drinks cabinet. The damaged speaker sections were painstakingly repaired with fabric Cherilynne managed to source from the US.
This Kara Rosenlund photographic print of the ocean was a present from Cherilynne to Ashley last Christmas, and it now hangs in their bedroom. “We live close to the beach, but not close enough for a view – so this print sits at the end of our bed and is our view to to wake up to in the morning. I find it very peaceful,” says Cherilynne.
The ensuite is the latest renovation in the house, and has only just been completed. It and the adjoining walk-in robe were created from a spare bedroom. “It is definitely a splurge area,” says Cherilynne. “The Italian tiles were expensive and we have run them up to the ceiling. We ran plumbing to a new part of the house, which is never cheap. The soft gentle pendant light, inspired by one seen on The Block, is perfect for a late night shower when you are winding down.” These new rooms create a space that is just for the adults.
Pendant light: Fenton & Fenton; hexagonal wall tiles: Southern Tiles Moorabbin
Pendant light: Fenton & Fenton; hexagonal wall tiles: Southern Tiles Moorabbin
The timber shelf above the ensuite sink was bought from a salvation yard in Port Melbourne. “The great guys from Whelan Wreckers told us that it came off an old bridge in NSW that was over two hundred years old,” Cherilynne reveals. “The wood is seriously heavy. Ash filled in all the bolt holes with resin and polished it. The result is a really rustic look and it’s just what we were after.”
Plumbing hardware: Reece; basin: Rocca
Plumbing hardware: Reece; basin: Rocca
Fletcher’s bedroom is about to undergo a revamp to a bigger boy’s room, complete with a loft bed and a new lick of paint.
Sprallig Moose Hang-it-all: Ikea
For a family who enjoy the outdoors, setting up their backyard was an important part of the home’s makeover.
After many disappointments in the garden due to extremely sandy soil, Cherilynne realised that natives were the only way to go. “The garden can now flourish on minimal water and is very low maintenance,” she says. “We ripped out most of the garden from the previous owners as it was all roses and small shrubs which weren’t our style.”
Plans to renovate the outdoor area to include decking and a new roof are on the horizon, but many a fun night with other families has been had in the existing space.
The bungalow at the back of the house was already renovated when the Kemps bought the property – the original owners’ grandson used to live in it. At the moment it stores all of the bikes, paddleboards, surfboards and kites used at the nearby beach. Plans for the future include a makeover to create a teen space for the boys, where they can entertain their friends in a few years.
Adirondack chair: The Porch Furniture
Adirondack chair: The Porch Furniture
The outdoor shower was snatched up by Ashley from a friend who had no further use for it after their own renovations. It is extremely useful to keep sand from tracking into the house after a long day at the beach.
Kiteboard: Stonker
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
Kiteboard: Stonker
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
When they found the house that was to become their home, it was a tired yellow-brick box with a lot of wear and tear and small rooms, definitely in need of some major attention. “It was the size that initially attracted us to the house, and we could see the potential to renovate the house to more open-plan style,” Cherilynne adds. “Straight away I loved the high ceilings and wide hallway.”