My Houzz: A Crush on Kitsch
A modern Australia townhouse gets an injection of vintage charm and colorful collectibles
A world of wonder and whimsy has been created inside this new-build townhouse in Melbourne, Australia, although you’d never guess it by looking at the modern facade and contemporary blue door. As soon as that door is opened, an eclectic family home is revealed, one that’s packed full of bizarre vintage finds and colorful kitsch treasures. “Although the house lacks any period character, the plain palette and neutral surfaces were the best blank canvas I could have wished for,” says Louella Evans, artist, owner and decorator of the property.
A gated lane offers a secluded respite from the busy city road adjacent to this block of 12 townhouses. “We love the resort feel of the communal gardens,” Evans says. “It feels like we’re on holiday.”
The middle floor of the three-story home is dedicated to a large open-plan living and dining space. It features a sunny terrace at one end and views onto the gated lane at the other.
An island wrapped in solid white stone creates a central hub in the kitchen area, and Evans has extended the dining space by adding a glossy white table. “Our house holds a busy family of five and two dogs, as well as doubling as a home office and studio for me. It is packed to the rafters with people and things — I collect way too much — yet it seems to just keep expanding to fit us all in,” she says.
An island wrapped in solid white stone creates a central hub in the kitchen area, and Evans has extended the dining space by adding a glossy white table. “Our house holds a busy family of five and two dogs, as well as doubling as a home office and studio for me. It is packed to the rafters with people and things — I collect way too much — yet it seems to just keep expanding to fit us all in,” she says.
The family downsized to this home to be able to live in a particular school zone, and it now finds itself spending more time together because of the open-plan spaces. “Having a smaller home means we see more of each other, which is wonderful,” Evans says. “It also means we go out exploring more and utilize the local parks.”
Determined to make the smaller townhouse a success after the move, Evans, an illustrator who runs Art and Soul Mamma, worked for 48 hours cleaning, unpacking and arranging to ensure that the stark white walls were covered with familiar items that would make her family feel at home.
Determined to make the smaller townhouse a success after the move, Evans, an illustrator who runs Art and Soul Mamma, worked for 48 hours cleaning, unpacking and arranging to ensure that the stark white walls were covered with familiar items that would make her family feel at home.
A contemporary dining table complements the sleek white surfaces in the kitchen, while bright yellow chairs tie in with the yellow fridge. “I love color, and the neutral surfaces of the modern kitchen have been easy to liven up with bold touches here and there,” Evans says.
Tall cabinets provide lots of storage, while a built-in floor-to-ceiling pantry is more easily accessed for daily essentials.
The family room, at the opposite end of the open-plan space, is where the family mainly congregates. The vivid turquoise sofa from Freedom has a distinctly retro vibe, while Evans’ exclusive bean bag, designed for Kip & Co, keeps the room fresh and modern. “I am a bit of a ’50s lover,” she says. “I recently bought original ’50s TV dinner trays at [a thrift] shop and we often have TV dinners together.”
The family room also holds an art studio and home office space. “I work away here and ask my kids to critique my work as I go. They are honest, and so their insight is extremely helpful,” Evans says.
A must-have was this custom-built desk, which fits snugly into the angled recess at the end of the family room. “This area was essentially dead space, so it’s worked perfectly as my studio space. I can work 24/7 and still be part of all the family action,” Evans says.
A passionate collector of the weird and wonderful, Evans admits that her love has become a bit of an obsession. “I have been trawling through [thrift shops] since I was a kid. In fact, on my fifth-grade ‘Who am I?’ poster, I wrote that my favorite place to visit was the [dump]!” she says.
Her home is certainly a testament to the lifelong interest in kitsch, with toys and bizarre objects displayed on every surface. “My interiors philosophy is to surround yourself with what you love and not to be swayed by fashion trends,” Evans says. “It’s your home, so it has to be a place that reflects you.”
Her home is certainly a testament to the lifelong interest in kitsch, with toys and bizarre objects displayed on every surface. “My interiors philosophy is to surround yourself with what you love and not to be swayed by fashion trends,” Evans says. “It’s your home, so it has to be a place that reflects you.”
Upcycling old pieces is another of Evans’ passions. Here, furniture and display cases have been painted a vibrant pink, and a collection of vintage paintings and prints adds to the color riot.
This breezy blue cabinet is the perfect foil for Evans’ eclectic collections, which include vintage colored glass, old spoons and Mexican paper flowers.
Indoor plants play a big part in the home, creating the perfect retro backdrop to the vintage items. “I like to group my collections in similar themes so they create a cohesive and balanced display,” Evans says.
The cubbyholes of an old cabinet provide an ideal home for treasures.
Faux grass animals have been elevated to art with simple glass cloches.
The stairs leading to two of the bedrooms used to be open, but that wasn’t conducive to living with tiny dogs. Evans filled in the gaps with wallpapered blocks of wood.
Evans left all the walls of the home white until the family had settled in. After a few months, she enlisted the help of her mother and sister-in-law to wallpaper the two bedrooms upstairs, where Evans and her husband, Paul, and their two daughters sleep. Their son, Paddy, has his own space on the ground floor.
“As the girls share a room, I allowed them to choose their own wallpaper, and fortunately it was a subtle design,” Evans says. “I wanted swans in our room — romantic fairy-tale swans! I eventually found the perfect Laura Ashely design, which I had shipped from Wallpaper Direct.
“My son, on the other hand, is rebelling against my style and has chosen his own aesthetic, which is the complete opposite of mine — minimalist with not even a picture on the walls!”
“As the girls share a room, I allowed them to choose their own wallpaper, and fortunately it was a subtle design,” Evans says. “I wanted swans in our room — romantic fairy-tale swans! I eventually found the perfect Laura Ashely design, which I had shipped from Wallpaper Direct.
“My son, on the other hand, is rebelling against my style and has chosen his own aesthetic, which is the complete opposite of mine — minimalist with not even a picture on the walls!”
Soft pastels continue the romantic tone in the master bedroom.
Every bit of space has been utilized in the girls’ bedroom, with bunk beds and under-bed storage making the most of the room’s width and height.
A walk-in shower and wall-hung sink help keep this small bathroom feeling spacious. Mirrored cabinets provide hidden storage, and a green glass backsplash adds to the contemporary feel.
On the first floor, a hallway leads to the third bedroom, powder room and the converted garage, which is now the kids’ retreat. “We ordered a special insulating material for roller doors to make sure it was cozy,” Evans says. “Then we carpeted the floor, painted the walls and added a couch, TV and storage. The kids have had sleepover parties in there and they can open the roller door and access the driveway. It’s great.”
So what has Evans learned from the move and renovation? “It has been a fun journey trying to maximize space and make a new, modern home fit my vintage, eclectic taste,” she says. “The project has taught me that you can make any property work for your needs, no matter what the size or style, if you think creatively.”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes |Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes |Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Louella and Paul Evans; their children, Tildy, 13, Paddy, 12, and Bridie, 10; and their dogs Tiffy, an Italian greyhound, and Truffles, a Yorkshire terrier
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Size: Three bedrooms, three bathrooms