As one of Australia’s oldest cities, Melbourne has accrued a diverse range of architectural design styles over the years, spanning from large Federation-style houses to the terrace houses you see lining the inner city streets. From timeless townhouses, to modern skyscrapers, Melbourne offers plenty of architectural attractions from suburb to suburb.
Today, however, we’re heading inside to look at all the unique ways that Melbourne residents transform their interiors to ensure their home’s classical architectural style feels strikingly fresh and modern. And don’t worry, we’re making sure our tips are inclusive for the many changes in Melbourne weather that can happen in a day.
Here are our best tips on how South Melbourne residents can honour the timeless and reserved architectural style of their classic Melbourne property.
A Classic Fireplace
The fireplace is the hearth of any classic home. Sadly, a lot of the original fireplaces installed in Federation-style homes were commonly removed during renovation projects over the 2000-2010s. Now that fireplaces are back in vogue, however, South Melbourne residents should absolutely consider investing in a modern take on the classic fireplace to give their interior design scheme an immediate sense of timelessness.
We recommend looking into a stone fireplace installation to ensure your modern hearth exudes luxury. The colouring and organic origin of stone also makes these fireplaces exceptionally easy to style, as natural-origin materials and textures pair perfectly with contemporary modern design principles, minimalism, biophilic design, and a range of other trending but still timeless design styles.
And if you’d prefer to swap out your traditional wood log fireplace for an electric alternative, then why not do just that? With an electric fireplace boasting a classic style, you can complement the existing traditional architectural elements of your property while still equipping your abode for hassle-free and energy-efficient heating – a must for all South Melbourne homes!
Granite or Marble Benchtops
If you do opt to install a stone or marble fireplace, then why not go the extra mile and update your kitchen or bathroom benchtops with some similarly stylish granite or marble slabs? Alongside being hard-wearing, durable, and easy to clean, granite and marble benchtops are also incredibly easy to style. This is because their neutral colourways pair perfectly with a wide range of interior colour palettes.
Keeping your home’s interiors versatile can naturally help boost your property’s resale value, as its overall interior design scheme is more likely to appeal to a greater pool of prospective buyers. But real estate considerations aside, versatile interior spaces will also undoubtedly complement your own tastes as they change from era to era.
That, and designing with organic elements is coming back in a major way, as biophilic design principles integrate more and more with modern contemporary styles. With organic granite or marble benchtops in your home, you can make sure that a little touch of the natural world is always present in your interiors.
Solid Wood Furnishings
And speaking of the natural world, we’re currently seeing a shift away from flatpack furniture made with wood composite materials, and back to the hearty, weighty presence of solid wood furniture (and genuine hardwood flooring) once again. Truth be told, solid wood furniture has always been far more practical than flatpack furniture – just so long as you know what your style preferences are and are investing in pieces for the future, and not just for passing trends.
As Australia is a world producer of natural timber products, you can also expect to find a unique range of different wood furnishings available to you. For instance, going with a native timber like Tasmanian Oak or Jarrah will give your solid wood furniture an extra special colouring.
If you’re not a fan of natural timber looks, however, then you can easily upcycle wood furnishings with a DIY coat of paint. Not only can this be a great way of bringing a pop of colour into your living space, but it can also ensure your home is still decorated with furnishings that are built to last – and all on a strict budget! Trust us – upcycling wood furniture is going to be far less expensive and more long-lasting than buying flatpack furniture. Don’t overpay for plywood!
Statement Lighting
Traditional Federation-style Melbourne homes are known for their vaulted ceilings and the unique designs that can be found upon the wainscoting. These unique elements are staples of the historic design attributes of Melbourne city living. If you’re lucky enough to have vaulted ceilings and ornate wainscoting in your home, then showcase these details with stunning statement lighting.
Adding a modern take on the classic crystal chandelier to your living room or even your home’s entryway can be a great way to set the tone of your interior design scheme – introducing a melding of traditional romantic and modern elements. If you’re looking to move away from romantic accents, however, then you have the option of installing a mid-century inspired pendant light instead. These are generally characterised by their bolder monochromatic colouring and geometric shapes.
Alongside providing dimensionality and (of course) illumination to your space, statement lights can also work as great accent pieces that effortlessly tie your interior design schemes together. Just make sure you install your light fixtures strategically so they really enhance your interiors. Look out for little details like if your lights accidentally cast a shadow on an art frame or provide other types of unbalanced illumination in any given space.
Maximising Natural Light
In installing your statement lighting to make the most of your high ceilings, it’s important to consider your home’s natural light availability during daytime hours as well. The downside to vaulted ceilings is that if your home has regular sized windows, then you run the risk of sitting in gloomily lit interiors during the day. That’s why it’s imperative for Melbourne residents to maximise the natural light available in their home spaces.
Whilst the current trend is installing floor to ceiling windows in Federation-style homes, this is admittedly a costly expense. It may even be impossible for terrace homeowners. Our best alternative is to install a skylight, which is also a unique and simple way to invite in natural illumination without permanently altering your home’s facade.
And if either of these options still aren’t a good fit for your home, then why not consider getting strategic with mirror projects? As mirrors reflect light, optimal mirror placement can actually help facilitate the flow of natural light throughout your home spaces, naturally helping you maximise on natural light with minimal cost investment.
Finetuning your Modern Melbourne Interiors
As you can see, there are many ways to showcase the distinctive beauty of Melbourne’s traditional residential architecture whilst still modernising your home and making it not only easier to style but also more comfortable to live in. The integral element to ensuring timelessness relies on the use of durable, long-lasting materials. So again, remember to shop sustainably and upcycle wherever possible to ensure you can transform your home and its comfort factors practically.
And that brings us to our last tip to you for today: when finetuning your interior design scheme and all its modern elements, always think about liveability. If your timeless living areas can also become a welcoming space for entertaining or relaxing, then chances are you’ve got a winning design scheme on your hands.
