Melrose Terrace

This project’s attention to detail, high level of function, spaciousness and striking aesthetic belies the small stature of this single fronted terrace.

The aesthetic is elegant and varies as you move through the project, materials adapting to how each space will be used and the person within.

This modest package of spaces, built elements and details have been carefully tailored to the requirements of an enterprising retired couple who have downsized to the inner north of Melbourne.

Having relocated from their generous family home down on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, the couple were prepared to compromise on space but not function; this small statured home was to be as comfortable and accommodating as their previous.

With such a small/modest floor area to work with, Dan Gayfer Design embarked on a comprehensive concept design process during which an understanding of how the owners wanted to use each space was gleaned.

Every square millimetre was allocated a function.

Creating spaces and elements larger than they needed to be was simply not an option.

For example, previously unusable space underneath the staircase was optimised via the sequential insertion of multiple amenities.

Other than the brick party walls, the entire ground floor was stripped to a blank canvas and acutely redesigned.

So an understanding of how the owners wanted to use each space was essential in delivering a successful project.

The ground floor section of the rear facade was removed and extended approximately one metre to bring it in line with the existing weatherboard facade above.

A new rear tiled facade, accommodating the window lounge extrusion, was then implemented.

So too was a rooftop terrace at the front of the building.

Several other methods were employed – custom furniture, grouping of amenities, rooftop terrace – within the design to not only bring maximum function to the project but create enough ‘relief’ space to avoid a cramped or overcrowded feel throughout.

Despite the modest area to work with on the ground floor, each of the dining room, kitchen and living room have a comfortable and voluminous character that is more associated with a larger home.

This was achieved through some non-traditional design solutions that include the front entry opening into the dining room and the sequencing of amenities – behind a singular wall – including the walk-in pantry, store room, laundry, and powder room.

Custom built-in furniture features prominently.

The ability to design and somewhat slot the furniture in like a piece of puzzle enabled the Dan Gayfer Design team to eliminate dead or wasted area that compromised function, flow, and interaction.

Demonstrating how this concept was important even on a smaller scale is the custom console designed by this studio. Located at the front entry, its intricate and finely tuned details greet you upon entering, as does the unique application of timber, brass, and porcelain panelling.

Not only genuinely innovative, the built in component in the living room is intrinsic to the successful outcome of the overall design.

A singular built element integrates shelving, side table, lounge, daybed, and casement windows.

This frees up valuable space at the rear of the ground floor for accessing the outdoor terrace and general flow.

The window lounge – Dan Gayfer Design’s contemporary translation of a traditional bay window – opens out to the garden terrace via two striking casement windows.

When open, the lounge literally becomes immersed in the garden, whose lush greenery in turn becomes part of the living room.

Surprising new visitors at the front of the property, the rooftop terrace brings yet another innovative yet highly contributory component to the project.

Accessed from the main bedroom, this space in essence becomes another living space for the owners.

More specifically, it has been designed for small social gatherings where a custom steel pergola clad in timber battens provide enough solace from the sun whilst still delivering a beautiful dappled light.

Again custom furniture is utilised in the form of a luxurious daybed whose structure, along with two garden planters, is intertwined with that of the pergola.

The development of the material palette was an exhaustive process in which the intent was to develop an elegant yet varied style whose materials adapt with each of the areas.

For example, a semi-glazed terracotta like tile defines the dining room/entry area.

This hard working and durable material was selected to accommodate the traffic through the front door.

Silvertop Ash timber flooring was then introduced as you step up into the kitchen whilst the living room at the rear is defined by the softer again ochre coloured carpet.

The slightly different style for each of these spaces is further enhanced by two different timber veneers, porcelain bench tops and panelling, splashes of brass and of course the luxe fabrics selected for the built in furniture and throw pillows.

Externally, a small mosaic tile has then been clad to the new section of the rear facade bringing a fine texture to the surface which in turn contrasts the larger planes of the existing weatherboards above.

There is no confusion here between the old and the new.

In summary, the aesthetic is elegant and carefully varied albeit with a few strategically placed exclamation marks such as the mint tile in the powder room, burnt red carpet in the living room, and the mosaic tile on the rear facade.

Key Products Used

Rear facade tiling – Inax ‘Hanten Glaze (Grid Join) – White’ from Artedomus
Timber flooring – 130mm x 19mm Silvertop Ash
Floor tiles – Inax ‘Hinone Y4’, available from Artedomus
Kitchen benchtop & splashback – Maximum ‘Michelangelo – Matt’ porcelain paneling from Artedomus
Timber veneer (cabinetry, linings etc) – Crown plantation oak & Blackbutt
Solid timber (shelving unit, lounge legs, window hood etc) – Blackbutt
Laminate – Polytec ‘Legato – Crisp White’
Pendant light (dining) – Lumil ‘Hat – Shell White’
Wall lights (dining) – Nau Design ‘Jolly – Brass’ wall light
Entry console – custom piece by Dan Gayfer Design
Tapware – Brodware ‘City Plus – Brushed Swiss Brass’
Carpet – Tretford ‘Steppe’
Custom upholstery (living) – Zepel ‘Havana – Cloud’
Custom upholstery (dining) – Zepel ‘Havana – Navy’
Custom upholstery (rooftop terrace) – Mokum ‘Nullabor – Beechwood’
Powder room basin – ‘Eclipse Basin’ in Mint by Concrete Nation
Mosaic tile – ‘Plimepaplika – Mint Green’ by Academy Tiles
Bathroom basin – ‘Mini Wall Hung Basin’ in Mez White by Slabshapers
Custom brass stair handrail by DGD
Custom brass coffee table by DGD

Project Details

Project Size – 93 m2
Site Area – 92 m2
Completion Date – 2019
Building Levels – 2

Project Team

Architecture and Interior Design

Dan Gayfer Design

Dan Gayfer is the founder and creative influence behind Dan Gayfer Design, a studio that integrates building, interior and exterior design – a business that today also extends to project coordination.

www.dangayfer.com

Construction

Topp Constructs

Topp Constructs is a family business with strong interest in Melbourne architecture, a passion for detail and pride in their craft.

www.toppconstructs.com.au

Cabinetmaker

Kohde

Kohde’s aim is to design considered works that create a sense of place for both the objects they contain and the people which experience them.

www.kohde.com.au

Photography

Dean Bradley

Dean is an established commercial photographer based in Richmond, Melbourne.