Feng shui principles have guided the look of this 140-year-old Melbourne bayside home
By Heather Nette King
These owners have created a calm and charming family home.
Kelly McCloskey in her upstairs lounge. The sofa is by Maker & Son; the artwork is by Bronwyn Bancroft.Credit: Armelle Habib
The home
A Melbourne Bayside, circa 1880 home with a second storey added in 1924. It has five bedrooms and is configured as a duplex with external stairs.
Who lives here
Kelly McCloskey, a feng shui expert, husband Tom, a builder, sons Harry, 7, and Finn, 5, dogs Raf, Billy and Tadhg, and Amigo the cat.
What we did
“We moved here in 2020 and painted the main bedroom and living spaces white, as they were too dark for me,” says McCloskey.
Favourite room
“I love how the north-west light enters the bay window in the front sitting room,” says McCloskey. “I’ve filled it with treasures, such as doors from Rajasthan and wooden elephant statues.”
The ’hood
“The dogs and I head to the Galleon every morning for my coffee fix. Cicciolina is our favourite spot for a cocktail and dinner.”
Future plans
“We are collaborating with David Goss of Studio Goss to create a beautifully practical floorplan,” she says. “The garden will be redesigned by Rupert Baynes-Williams from Florian Wild.”
Best advice
“Your home is a reflection of you, and clutter is a feng shui killer. If you have objects you don’t love or that bring up troubling memories, move them on.”
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