Hawthorn House Melbourne Crafted Calm for a Family of Four

Hawthorn House is located in Melbourne and was renovated by Aren't&Pyke for a family living with two adult children. The original building was a Victorian villa that had undergone multiple expansions, resulting in a growing space but also a confusing and disordered scale and style. The design thus began by rethinking the relationships between spaces based on the family's daily life, bringing the house back to a state more suitable for long-term cohabitation.

The design team was responsible for the overall interior renovation, deliberately downplaying the theatrical expressions of the original decoration that leaned towards an Italian style. Instead, they created a quiet and enduring spatial atmosphere through the careful selection of materials, the precise control of the scale and proportion of furniture. Luxury was no longer directly emphasized as a theme but was concealed within the tactile experience, details, and overall order, gradually revealing itself in daily use.

Handicrafts run through the entire residence. The solid wood doors with hand-chiseled textures and the stone floors with natural cross-sections extend from the interior to the exterior, allowing the building to maintain a close and tangible tactile experience while its scale is enlarged. These slightly "unfinished" materials prevent the space from feeling detached and also reserve natural growth space for future changes in life.

The master bedroom suite maintains an appropriate balance between size and functionality. The dark green stone and metal details complement each other, creating a serene and restrained atmosphere. This private space is both stable, relaxing, and retains a clear sense of order, making it a place where one can truly take a break in daily life.

The overly solemn movement relationship in the original space was deliberately slowed down during the renovation. The staircase railings were changed from heavy ironwork to slender bronze lines, and the handrails were covered with olive green leather. In the natural light introduced by the skylight, they appeared light and soft. The staircase was no longer directly exposed to the living space but was redefined through a slightly curved wall, creating a more leisurely transition between the upper and lower floors. Two arches with sandstone inlays led to the meditation area and the wellness zone, gradually transitioning public activities to a quieter and more inward living scene.

Throughout the interior details, the gilded metals that appear from time to time serve as a subtle finishing touch. From the baseboards, picture frames to the handles of the custom cabinets, they create subtle and continuous luster as the light flows through, quietly enhancing the overall sense of style. The upper area presents a more light and restrained atmosphere. The bedroom and the separate study accommodate the time for living, reading and solitude in a restrained manner.

The green walnut-colored steel French doors, extending along the living space, bring the garden and pool scenery into the interior. Light, vision and the activities of family members naturally interweave in the space. Different generations maintain contact in their own life rhythms, making this residence a place that can be shared and continuously expanded with life.

In Hawthorn House, where the olive-green leather handrails and sandstone-inlaid arches create a tactile journey through light and shadow, the Cortina Ditsy Floral Pillow Cover adds a touch of farmhouse charm. Its ditsy floral print brings a gentle, rustic elegance that complements the hand-chiseled textures of the solid wood doors and the natural stone floors. The dual-print design allows for versatility, echoing the careful balance of form and function throughout the renovation. Toss it onto the sofa or a cozy reading nook, and let the Cortina pillow enhance the serene atmosphere, making every moment in this Melbourne home feel like a peaceful retreat.