A home for a lifetime

Your first home?
It was a two-bedroom, two-storey 60s modernist “flat” in Darling Street, South Yarra, on the hill above the busy train line. I spent many weekends redecorating (probably much to the annoyance of my neighbours) but the bones were sound. When I finally moved into the flat I was awakened by the first train at 4am. I almost cried but within a week I was accustomed to the trains. They continued to be a conversation stopper when people came over.

Your most memorable apartment?
While renovating our home in Ivanhoe, my wife, Colette, our three daughters and I were fortunate to borrow an apartment in Dock 5, Victoria Harbour, Docklands. We lived in the three-bedroom apartment for almost a year, bought myki cards and enjoyed inner-city living.

Describe your home style
Our home in the Fairy Hills neighbourhood in Ivanhoe was built in 1930 with all the hallmarks of the art deco period. We bought the house in 1996 and renovated to suit our growing family. A few years ago we redecorated and engaged Mim Design. Dark feature walls and black plantation shutters generate a moody “clubby” atmosphere in the main rooms – in contrast to the white walls, white plantation shutters and expansive north-facing newer additions.

Best design tip?
Consider all rooms in a modern home as multi-use spaces, which allows homes to be smaller, and use your budget to achieve quality instead of quantity – and, of course, use an architect. Our under-utilised formal dining room is now used for all meals and the formal lounge is a multipurpose study/drawing room.

Most treasured possession?
It’s a painting by Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda (Sally Gabori), inspired by her home on Bentinck Island (in the Gulf of Carpentaria) during a tropical storm. In the late afternoon, the rich magenta colour of the work radiates as the sun streams into the room. It’s currently on loan to Queensland Art Gallery.

Best furniture shop?
We were fortunate to couple the redecoration of our home with new furniture. Most pieces were from Hub Furniture, where the staff are helpful. Our favourites are Italian designs from Molteni&C and Moroso, as well as quality Australian designs from Lowe Furniture and Zuster.

Your favourite suburb?
It is hard to imagine a suburb with more lifestyle advantages than Ivanhoe, with an abundance of parks and trails along the Yarra River and Darebin Creek and a developing food and coffee scene. The suburb flies under the radar and is still relatively affordable but homes are tightly held and most residents stay for a lifetime.

Your next home?
Having enjoyed our sabbatical in Docklands, it is likely our next home will be in central Melbourne. Those no longer needing large homes should pass them on to the next generation.

Architect Robert Goodliffe is a partner with ClarkeHopkinsClarke.