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Sunday Life

Want to bring more colour into your home? First, create a blank canvas

By Heather Nette King

A 1970s home is given a modern makeover with a clean white base and pops of vivid colour.

Suzie Stanford in the family lounge. “Our home expresses my love of colour and houses an eclectic collection of things that make me smile.”
Suzie Stanford in the family lounge. “Our home expresses my love of colour and houses an eclectic collection of things that make me smile.”Armelle Habib

The home
A three-bedroom 1970s house in Melbourne’s inner east designed by architect Gabor Hubay.

Who lives here
Suzie Stanford, a furniture and lighting designer, and her son Walter, 20, who lives with a disability.

What we did
“The house was painted an over-the-top Ken Done blue with angled terracotta tiles from front to back,” says Stanford. “My wonderful friends Paul Hecker of Hecker Guthrie and Pip McCully of Studio Wonder helped me create calm with loads of Dulux ‘Vivid White’ and marble tiles.”

Our favourite room
“The courtyard, with its 125-year-old Alexandra palms and the never-ending dance of the fish, is an oasis,” says Stanford.

The ’hood
“I love the community of traders at Prahran Market,” says Stanford. “They know our names and keep us stocked with great produce.”

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Future plans
“None as such – the home keeps evolving with us,” says Stanford.

Best advice
“Pare back the structural elements so you can fill your home with the things you love and give them space to breathe.”

On a marble kitchen bench are brass vessels Stanford designed for florist Flowers Vasette. She also created the “cluster” door handles (above right) for its stores.
On a marble kitchen bench are brass vessels Stanford designed for florist Flowers Vasette. She also created the “cluster” door handles (above right) for its stores.Armelle Habib
The hanging rods are from my collection exploring the use of wind chimes to ward off evil spirits,” says Stanford. The door handle is her design for Flowers Vasette.
The hanging rods are from my collection exploring the use of wind chimes to ward off evil spirits,” says Stanford. The door handle is her design for Flowers Vasette.Armelle Habib
“The plinth is actually a fireplace but I’ve never lit it as I dread the walls becoming a smoky mess. Inside is a treasured peacock bonnet made by my daughter, Stella.”
“The plinth is actually a fireplace but I’ve never lit it as I dread the walls becoming a smoky mess. Inside is a treasured peacock bonnet made by my daughter, Stella.”Armelle Habib
“Landscaper Ric Day restored the central courtyard garden and laid slate crazy paving to make the pond look more natural,” says Stanford.
“Landscaper Ric Day restored the central courtyard garden and laid slate crazy paving to make the pond look more natural,” says Stanford.Armelle Habib

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