When Heritage Meets Hue in Fitzroy House
In Melbourne’s Fitzroy, a bold renovation brings new life to a heritage worker’s cottage, blending playful colour with timeless design and plenty of personality.
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A bright yellow door stands out against Fitzroy House’s weathered bluestone façade, hinting at what lies beyond: a vivid, contemporary transformation balancing playfulness with elegance.
Inside, colour, art and texture come together in surprising yet thoughtful ways, honouring the home’s 1800s origins.
This was no ordinary renovation. The client’s brief to interior architect Lee Dwyer of Leftfield Studio and designer Tamara Hannaford-Maizey of Hannaford Design, both based in Victoria, was clear: contemporary and inviting, but with playful twists and deep respect for the home’s history.
“We wanted to celebrate the original 1800s bluestone,” Lee says. “As the project evolved, we embraced a more natural palette, allowing the client’s impressive art collection to take centre stage.”
The result is a home where bold design meets quiet elegance. One standout piece is a neon sign reading “Turn me on”, which casts a vivid glow down the hallway and onto the street after dark.
The home plays with unexpected materials and moments from hidden bursts of Yves Klein blue in bedroom joinery to a mirrored chrome panelled ceiling in the moody ‘Stone Room’.
“In a room entirely bluestone, we felt the need to introduce a softer element,” says Dwyer. “The panels reflect like water and bring a sense of fluidity to the space.”
Dwyer explains that colour and texture are used throughout the home with purpose and restraint—never overwhelming, always intentional.
For Hannaford-Maizey, the balance of old and new was never a constraint — it was an opportunity.
“It was bold and full of rich history, which made the experience exciting and enabled us to think outside the box,” she says.
“The yellow door was a statement, and a little hint of what might be behind the door.”
And while the home feels distinctly fresh, it’s rooted in enduring design values. “It was important to us to create a space that reflected our clients, yet ensuring elements of timeless design throughout the home.”
While the front of the house maintains its 19th-century presence, a previously added rear extension created the opportunity for something entirely new.
Asked to sum up what Fitzroy House means to them, both were emphatic.
“We made some bold design choices that really paid off… It’s not only beautiful but also functional and purposeful,” says Hannaford-Maizey.
Fitzroy House isn’t just a home. It’s a love letter to art, design, and the power of creative trust — where a yellow door marks the start of a journey into something entirely unexpected.
This story appeared in the latest edition of Kanebridge Quarterly Magazine. To purchase a copy, please visit this link.
From elevated skincare to handcrafted home pieces, this year’s most thoughtful gifts go beyond the expected.
A haven for hedge-fund titans and Hollywood grandees, Greenwich is one of the world’s most expensive residential enclaves, where eye-watering prices meet unapologetic grandeur.
From elevated skincare to handcrafted home pieces, this year’s most thoughtful gifts go beyond the expected.
3 minMother’s Day has quietly evolved. It’s no longer about last-minute flowers or safe department store buys. Instead, there’s a noticeable shift towards gifts that feel considered, personal and, increasingly, lasting.
This year’s edit leans into that idea, bringing together pieces that balance design, purpose and a sense of story.
At the more elevated end of beauty, Australian-founded skincare label Bon Elliot offers a future-facing approach grounded in dermatology.
Its Hydrating Performance Serum, priced at $220, is designed to support the skin’s natural balance, working across the microbiome, barrier and repair response for a more refined, luminous finish.
It’s the kind of gift that feels indulgent, but also quietly practical.
For something less expected, there’s a playful turn in the form of Tinned Candle’s handcrafted pieces.
Inspired by tinned fish, the Atlanta-based studio has created candles that are as much design objects as they are functional.
Importantly, they smell nothing like sardines, leaning instead into ocean breeze or champagne notes, depending on the piece . It’s a small, clever way to bring personality into a space.
There’s also a growing appetite for gifts that give something back.
Coral adoption programs offer a more meaningful alternative, allowing you to adopt a coral in your mother’s name while supporting fragile marine ecosystems under threat from climate change.
It’s less about the object and more about the gesture, which, in many ways, feels more aligned with the moment.
Homewares continue to hold their place, particularly when craftsmanship is at the centre.
Tanora’s collection, handcrafted in Madagascar, blends traditional techniques with a modern coastal aesthetic, spanning everything from woven totes to placemats and cushions.
These are pieces that don’t just decorate a home, they add texture and narrative to it.
For something more personal, Australian lingerie label Cloud Blvd offers soft, wearable luxury in the form of robes and camisoles.
With options designed for comfort as much as elegance, they strike that rare balance between everyday use and quiet indulgence.
And for the mother who loves to host, Mesa Collections delivers a playful yet polished take on the table.
Think colourful linens, sculptural silverware and small details that turn a simple meal into something more considered.
What ties all of this together is a shift in mindset.
The best gifts this Mother’s Day aren’t necessarily the most expensive or the most obvious. They’re the ones that show thought, whether that’s through design, craftsmanship or meaning.
Which, if you think about it, is exactly the point.
From Italian vegetable-tanned leather to real-world training insight, Australian brand PK9 Gear is redefining what luxury means for discerning dog owners.
Ophora Tallawong has launched its final release of quality apartments priced under $700,000.
