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My Houzz: A Bright and Colourful New Build Home
After renovating their home, this couple decided to knock it down and build two new townhouses instead…
After renovating a home, most of us would sit back, reflect on all the challenges and vow never to do it again, at least not for a while. But for Melissa Lunardon and her husband, Tom Duggan, completing their home renovation meant knocking it down and building two new ones instead. The duo bought their first home in 2010 and enjoyed the process of renovating it for three years. But they soon realised the best way to make the most of their plot of land was to knock down the existing property and build two townhouses there instead – one to live in and the other to rent out.
‘The renovations were enough to keep us comfortable, so we didn’t lose too much money when knocking it all down,’ says Lunardon. ‘I actually sold our new picket fence, deck, pergola and kitchen on eBay to recuperate what we could.’ The couple moved into their newly built home in March this year, and since then Lunardon has used her skills as an interior designer to create a space that reflects their modern tastes. The road to creating a dream home can certainly take its twists and turns, but for Lunardon, this journey has resulted in a bright and spacious home, perfectly placed in its surroundings.
‘The renovations were enough to keep us comfortable, so we didn’t lose too much money when knocking it all down,’ says Lunardon. ‘I actually sold our new picket fence, deck, pergola and kitchen on eBay to recuperate what we could.’ The couple moved into their newly built home in March this year, and since then Lunardon has used her skills as an interior designer to create a space that reflects their modern tastes. The road to creating a dream home can certainly take its twists and turns, but for Lunardon, this journey has resulted in a bright and spacious home, perfectly placed in its surroundings.
Inside, the large scale of the home naturally results in some generous white walls to decorate. Instead of risking one artwork looking lost, Lunardon chose to use these two pieces, tying them together by using the same light oak frame. ‘I wanted an abstract piece that packed a punch, and the navy artwork from United Artworks really does that. I wanted to mix it up with a photographic piece and The Alps from Middle of Nowhere was a perfect match,’ she says.
The front door is at the side of the house and Lunardon made it stand out with colour. ‘I wanted to take advantage of the fact that our front door was at the side of the house and really have fun with colour. Yellow is just so happy and welcoming,’ she says.
Lunardon’s love for upcycling and mixing styles is displayed in the dining area. The bentwood chairs were a roadside find. After a lick of white paint, they were combined with a selection of Louis Ghost chairs and they all work together seamlessly.
Dining table, MRD Home.
Dining table, MRD Home.
Pendant light, Fat Shack Vintage.
‘As an interior designer, I’m constantly exposed to new trends and always on the lookout for unique pieces,’ Lunardon says. ‘I’ve mixed second-hand finds with timeless pieces, such as our Carrara marble coffee table and large oak dining table.’
Sofa, Oz Design. Side table, Matt Blatt. Floor lamp, Beacon Lighting.
Sofa, Oz Design. Side table, Matt Blatt. Floor lamp, Beacon Lighting.
Artwork on plywood, Printspace.
The couple love to entertain and regularly have friends and family over to show off their finished designs. ‘The large island is great for prepping and also for talking to guests, either sitting opposite or at the dining table,’ Lunardon says.
Adding removable polka dots to the pantry door adds an unexpected touch of fun to the space.
See 10 kitchens that break the mould
See 10 kitchens that break the mould
There’s a wonderful blend of beauty and practicality in all the design elements around the home – the kitchen being no exception. ‘I wanted a splashback that added texture and interest to the kitchen, so when I found the geometric tiles, I fell in love,’ Lunardon says. ‘They’re not too bold and the darker grey grout is easy to keep clean and defines the shape of each tile.’
Tiles, Hynes Tiles.
Tiles, Hynes Tiles.
Although Lunardon had to be mindful about sticking to her and Duggan’s budget, she feels she put money into the home where it really counted. ‘We paid attention to the kitchen by including a Smeg cooker, gloss-vinyl-wrap cabinetry and a large island with stone waterfall ends,’ she explains. ‘We saved in other areas by using a good-quality timber laminate floor, which wears very well and is quite realistic.’
The abundance of natural light that flows into the master bedroom makes the room feel more spacious and friendly.
For those of us who struggle to decide on which headboard to put in the bedroom, Lunardon has the solution – paint one on the wall! ‘I couldn’t decide on what style of headboard I wanted for our room, and the highlight window above our bed restricts us from having artwork there,’ she says. ‘I thought that by painting half the wall, it would act not only as a headboard, but as a feature for the entire wall.’
Duvet cover and matching pillowcases, Rebecca Judd Loves for Adairs. Heart vase, Lovestar. Round cushion, Freedom.
Duvet cover and matching pillowcases, Rebecca Judd Loves for Adairs. Heart vase, Lovestar. Round cushion, Freedom.
Lamp, Freedom. Bedside table, GlobeWest.
‘In our old house, we had the tiniest bath, so our main priority for this house was to ensure we had a decent-sized one,’ says Lunardon. ‘This bathroom is mostly used by guests that stay over, as it’s right near the guest bedroom.’
Check out 10 bathroom trends that will stand the test of time
Check out 10 bathroom trends that will stand the test of time
The guest bedroom is used regularly by friends and family. ‘We are very excited to be hosting our overseas friend this year over Christmas, so it’s important the room feels homely.’
Duvet cover, Kmart. Headboard, custom-made by Papillion. Lamp, Beacon Lighting. White cushion with tree design, Designers Choice.
Lunardon’s office is at the front of the home, at the opposite end from the living area – away from any distractions. The desk was made by Lunardon and Duggan as a dining table for their previous home. It now serves as a special memento, as well as a generously sized work space for Lunardon.
Stendig calendar, Simple Form.
Stendig calendar, Simple Form.
Desk lamp, Kmart.
Even though Lunardon and her husband tend to favour their upstairs en suite as the main bathroom, the downstairs bathroom has its advantages, too, as it’s right next to Lunardon’s office. No trekking up the stairs required!
As they placed a high priority on the quality and aesthetic of their home’s facade, Lunardon and Duggan always knew this would take up a fair chunk of their budget. ‘I’ve always wanted a weatherboard home, and being in a beachside suburb, I felt it was the only option we were going to be happy with,’ she says. ‘Being a custom design, it took some time to get right, especially the weatherboards. The carpenters did a great job though!’
TELL US…
What’s your favourite part of this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What’s your favourite part of this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here Interior designer Melissa Lunardon, her husband, Tom Duggan and their labrador, Cooney
Location Melbourne, Australia
Size 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Builder Urbanedge Homes