'Friends cannot believe it when they visit': Designer Leigh Ellwood's historic Melbourne apartment

Who: Interior designer Leigh Ellwood

What: A historic Melbourne apartment with artful, lived-in interiors

Where: South Yarra, Melbourne

Interior designer Leigh Ellwood has long admired this c1935 Beverley Hills apartment building and its intriguing presence overlooking the river in South Yarra.

The architecture by Howard R. Lawson showcases influences of Hollywood in its glamour and mystery, and Sydney’s early apartment buildings in its format and landscape but is grounded in its specific 1930s Melbourne context.

Ellwood first visited the complex in the ‘90s when friends and colleagues lived on the site. She remembers the grounds at the time back as “very rustic”, with wild and overgrown gardens.

When Ellwood inspected one of the Beverley Hills apartments for sale three decades later, it was a different story entirely. “I was struck and delighted by the light in the apartment, especially in the bedroom, where two large leadlight bay windows look out to lush tree foliage. It made me feel so immediately calm and content.”

Ellwood couldn’t resist the apartment and its South Yarra location, so close to the city, the Yarra River, and Royal Botanic Gardens.

Since moving in at the start of the year, she’s made only a few cosmetic changes to the apartment. Pieces have been sourced with lifelong use in mind, including a Ligne Roset Togo sofa upholstered in lilac Kvadrat velvet, Vitsoe storage, and custom bedroom wardrobes designed by Leigh and made by builder Alex Penfold.

These pieces all sit in harmony, complementing Ellwood’s “idiosyncratic” art collection of works, including those by Heather B. Swann, Eleanor Louise Butt, Louise Gresswell, Julian Martin, Stephen Bird, Lewis Miller, and Jon Campbell.

The addition of wallpaper in the hallway and kitchen further instils an eclectic, yet elegant feel to the apartment. “They are both unexpected textures, and the kitchen is definitely benefitting from an absorption of bright morning sunlight,” says Ellwood.

Ellwood finds Beverley Hills’ architecture, community, and tropical gardens (that remind her of Queensland, where she’s originally from) to be a constant source of inspiration. “It’s truly an inspiring experience just to walk outside. Friends cannot believe it when they visit!”

Most days, you’ll find Ellwood with her cats Yama and Hiro, taking in the morning sun from the dining table or relaxing around the pool in summer. “I’ve spent many late afternoons and summer evenings chatting to my neighbours in sun loungers by the pool,” Ellwood says. “We are also lucky enough to have a communal rooftop on this building – perfect for drying sheets and a sunset negroni.”

How to create a layered interior

Layering is the secret to creating a warm, complete home filled with personality. Rather than thinking of the room as a collection of disparate things, consider how each element works together to ensure a cohesive and comfortable space.

• Start with the walls! While all-white walls are a brilliant blank canvas, it can be daunting to know where to start. A subtle grey or soft neutral will make it easier to begin creating a layered space.
• Next, add texture through window furnishings and floor coverings. These will add a tactile element to the space and provide extra insulation.
• After the wall and floor coverings are decided, add furniture. A good general rule is to avoid anything matching! So, instead of choosing an identical sofa and armchair, look to bring contrasting styles and fabrics together as an opportunity to add interest.
• Finish the room with artwork and lighting! These are the “jewellery” of interiors. Don’t forget to layer your lighting too. Using wall sconces and lamps, as well as overhead lights, will add atmosphere and cosiness. Finally, invest in an original painting to inject your unique personality into the space.