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“Changing the walls from stark white to deep green created a moodier feeling in the space,” says Ben Elliott (left). The velvet chairs are by Molmic Furniture.Credit: Armelle Habib
The home
A two-bedroom apartment on the top floor of a 1940s duplex in Melbourne’s inner south-east. It has original ornate plaster features and three-metre-high ceilings.
Who lives here
Ben Elliott, head of the science faculty at a secondary school, and Andrew Ung, a luxury retail manager, with dogs Taiko and Hibiki and cat Indah.
What we did
“We wanted really deep, saturated colour, so we painted the walls as well as the ceilings in the lounge and dining room in Porter’s Paints ‘Evergreen’,” says Elliott. “We refreshed the kitchen with new cupboards and tiles and changed the lights throughout.”
Our favourite room
“The living room, as it’s a sea of colours and textures that represent years of hunting and collecting locally and abroad,” says Elliott. “Each piece brings us fond memories of the adventures and travels that led us to them.”
The ’hood
“It’s an eclectic area with a European feel,” says Ung. “It has great parks and beaches for the dogs and really diverse food options.”
Future plans
“We’ll renovate the bathroom, removing the bath, then tiling from floor to ceiling,” says Elliott. “We’re thinking of keeping the soft pink colour palette as a nod to the current bathroom.”
Best advice
“Style is unique, so do consider advice,” says Elliott. “But remember, your opinion is the one that matters.”
A glazed ceramic by Vipoo Srivilasa and cactus sculpture from Nyary Store are favourites. “We choose things we will love forever, not to just fill a space,” says Ung.Credit: Armelle Habib
“Peter Nyary created this incredible corner cabinet for us,” says Ung. “It accentuates the high ceilings and provides storage for our ever-expanding shoe collectionCredit: Armelle Habib
“The study is packed with treasures, such as the Italian sideboard and the Rona Green animal portraits,” says Elliott. The mushroom sculpture is by Aimee Pradel.Credit: Armelle Habib
“We definitely aren’t minimalist.” says Elliott. “There is a beautiful harmony when items are in large groups, with strength in numbers.”Credit: Armelle Habib
“It took five removalists to get our marble and steel dining table into the apartment – it’s safe to say it is never leaving,” says Ung.Credit: Armelle Habib
“We converted this room into our study because of the natural light it receives,” says Elliott. “It’s a refreshing respite from the dark and moody living and dining spaces.”Credit: Armelle Habib
“We refreshed the kitchen during the COVID lockdowns, with new cabinets from Freedom and subway tiles from Cerdomus,” says Elliott. The hanging sculptures are by Nathalie Lété.Credit: Armelle Habib
“ This property was the perfect mix of period charm and functionality for us, and being set back from the street gives us that added sense of privacy,” says Elliott.Credit: Armelle Habib
The vintage “Portovenere” sofa by Vico Magistretti was reupholstered in Kvadrat’s “Razzle Dazzle” fabric. The etching above the sofa is Dawn Survey Indigo by Martin King.Credit: Armelle Habib
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