A Delightfully Cheerful Melbourne Family Home

Stretched pear fabric (hung as art) by Marimekko, Coffee table found on FB Marketplace, Restored by Rad Build. Sofa from Oz Design Furniture. Pink Vase from Keep. Flower Medley I painting by Madeleine. Rug from Ikea collaboration with Seulgi Lee. Black & White painting by Mitjili Napurrula. Yellow vintage Casala chair from Facebook Marketplace. Early Settler Kace table and bench seats. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Pandanus Mat from Kunwinjku Fine Art. Old farm table passed down to Madeleine. Blue canteen chairs from Industria X. Yellow vintage Casala chair from Facebook Marketplace. Dinosaur Designs green vase. Lantern from Pop & Scott. Collection of vintage ceramics and folk art collected over the years. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Karl, Madeleine, Wilhelmina and Ada Stamer! Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Pandanus mat from Kunwinjku Fine Art. Old farm table passed down to Madeleine. Blue canteen chairs from Industria X. Yellow vintage Casala chair from Facebook Marketplace. Dinosaur Designs green vase. Folk tapestry made by Madeleine’s mum. Vintage rug imported from Turkey. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Kaj Franck Arabia red heart pitcher. Vintage Japanese kettle. Bwa Sun Mask. Black fruit bowl from Keep. Yellow light shade found in hard rubbish. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Smeg oven. Vintage Japanese kettle. Avanti expresso coffee maker. Ceramic cookie jar from an op shop. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Yellow light shade found in hard rubbish. Vintage beaded fruit bowl from Facebook Marketplace. Black fruit bowl from Keep. Vintage wooden stools. Cockatoo painting by Geoffrey Carran. Bwa Sun Mask Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Prince plate from Third Drawer Down. Pink fly clip by Ebony Postma. Ceramic ‘Love Me’ lolly by Nicole Durling. Ceramic face by Louise Kyriakou. Coloured platter by Rowena Martinich. Yellow haired face art by Wilhelmina! Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Bird mobile by Madeleine. Lovestar heart vase. Prints by Luke John Matthew Arnold. Bubble stool from Korban Flaubert. Tapware by Meir. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Playa quilt by Little Tienda. Desk belonged to Karl’s mother. Hard rubbish chair painted blue by Madeleine. Flower Medley II painting by Madeleine. Yellow angel painting by Madeleine. Small painting by Ali McNabney-Stevens. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

‘Sleeping Boy’ stretched quilt by David Bromley. Playa quilt by Little Tienda. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Park Pardon face from Pan After. Anna Cole painting. Vintage lockers. Australian colonial sideboard belonged to Madeleine’s parents. Moroccan basket and platter from Society Of Wanderers. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Pink dove painting by Madeleine. Blackboard wall created using Porter’s Paint chalkboard paint. Blue canteen chair from Industria X. Mid-century drawers from Gumtree. Drumbo elephant money box. Gold toy basket from Uashmama. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Wall florals handmade by Madeleine. Wildflowers painting by Madeleine. Blue canteen chair from Industria X. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Madeleine in her studio. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Madeleine and Pippi the border terrier. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Rosemary, curry plant, mint and mixed herbs in the updated garden. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Red Japanese maple tree. Early Settler Kace table and bench seats. Acapulco Chairs from Amor y Locura. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Madeleine Stamer wasn’t immediately taken with this bayside Melbourne home, but it did intrigue her.

The artist, with her husband Karl Stamer, owner of Lantern Printing, and children Wilhelmina (15) and Ada (12) previously lived up the road, watching as the semi-detached art deco home underwent a full renovation by Field Design Studio.

‘We often passed it on our daily commute and became increasingly smitten by the contemporary and unique appearance of the home,’ says Madeleine. ‘I loved how it stood apart from the rest of the neighbouring homes.’

The family were considering an extension of their existing home in 2017 when they drove past this now fully-renovated house with an auction sign out front. It was a perfect fit, encompassing a converted attic space (‘every teenagers dream!’) and a modern extension of the living space. ‘The rest is history!’ says Madeleine.

Originally a semi-detached art deco, additions by Field Design Studio have added contemporary but complementary details, including custom-built storage bench seats, a concrete and recycled brick fireplace, and timber sliding doors to separate the existing and new areas. ‘Having a study, walk-in robe and en suite was the icing on the cake!’ Madeleine says.

‘Although the house appears small from the front, there’s a deceptiveness to it, much like the Tardis!’ says Madeleine. ‘It’s small on the outside, big on the inside,’

What’s really brought this home to life is the styling – a delightful array of colourful art, vintage furniture, and pieces by local makers. Madeleine and Karl have also spent significant time reestablishing the garden, improving the feel of the entire property.

‘I love that we’ve made our mark on it. We’ve nurtured the garden and really brought it to life,’ says Madeleine.

‘Nearly five years later, we’re still pinching ourselves that this is our home!’