Inside The Memo Co-Founder Phoebe Simmonds’ Family Home

Entrepreneur Phoebe Simmonds and builder Shaun Caton’s ‘contemporary Edwardian’ Melbourne family home. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

Shaun’s company designed and built the classic, single-storey home with a soft colour palette within. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

Phoebe Simmonds, co-founder of The Memo and founder of The Blow) and Shaun Caton, director and co-founder of The Melbourne Builder, with Tyler Caton, (6) and Remy Caton (9 months). Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

Dulux Tarzan Green provides a calming feel to the open-plan kitchen, complemented by natural white walls. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

The interiors are contemporary, but with references to decorative period features throughout in the use of arches, marble, and colour. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

‘Spaces that feel homely and lived in, nothing too stark or minimalist,’ was the brief for the interiors. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

Naturally, as host to a young family (including the co-founder of parenting and baby destination The Memo!), the home provides plenty of storage space to keep clutter at bay. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

‘We wanted a home with classic character that wouldn’t date and that would reflect the integrity of other houses in the area,’ says Phoebe. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

‘Shaun’s gift to me was a bespoke bookcase to house my treasured books in the rumpus. I love adding to it, and expect to do so for a lifetime,’ says Phoebe. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

The use of arches continues into the bathrooms. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

As co-founder of The Memo, I really wanted to create a beautiful, practical nursery for Remy that would grow with him,’ says Phoebe. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

Pink tiles add a surprising pop of colour in the bathroom. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

A darker green ties provides a soothing feel in the main bedroom. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

Inspired by Edwardian homes, the house features a weatherboard facade and double gable roof. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

A designated guest room with its own deck encourages plenty of visitors. Photography – Armelle Habib. Styling – Greenhouse Interiors

When looking to build their family home, entrepreneur Phoebe Simmonds and builder Shaun Caton looked at Melbourne suburbs close to their work and respective locations in Fitzroy and Lysterfield.

They settled on Murrumbeena in the city’s south east for its leafy streets, big blocks, and relaxed energy. ‘Shaun thought by moving to Murrumbeena he was moving to the city and I thought we were moving to the suburbs. (I was right!),’ says Phoebe.

Shaun’s companies The Melbourne Joiner and The Melbourne Builder designed and built the new home inspired by single-storey Edwardian homes to feature a weatherboard facade and double gable roof.

‘We wanted a home with classic character that wouldn’t date and that would reflect the integrity of other houses in the area,’ says Phoebe.

The interiors are more contemporary, but with references to decorative period features throughout in the use of arches, marble, and colour.

‘Spaces that feel homely and lived in, nothing too stark or minimalist,’ in the words of Phoebe. Dulux Tarzan Green provides a calming feel to the open-plan kitchen, complemented by natural white walls.

Naturally, as host to a young family (including the co-founder of parenting and baby destination The Memo!), the home provides plenty of storage space to keep clutter at bay (‘while being realistic that life would be on display,’ says Phoebe).

Finally, a designated guest room encourages plenty of visitors, with their own space to make themselves at home.

‘The sectioned off back deck, which is an extension of the guest room, is a really peaceful space to sit with a wine or to do yoga,’ says Phoebe.