Home Tour: Inside 'face whisperer' James Vivian's art-filled sanctuary

When Melbourne dermal therapist James Vivian and his husband, fashion brand consultant Ben Esakoff, bought a Prahran house designed by architects RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN last November, they instantly fell in love with its meditative style.

They were drawn to its Japanese minimalist architecture, but have added a kaleidoscope of colourful art to take it from minimalist to exhibitionist.

“We always loved this home and knew the architect [Gilad Ritz] and his family who lived there, and had long expressed our interest in buying it,” Vivian says.

“Their decor, [which] was very linear, simple, pared-back and tonal, was absolutely divine, but we wanted to bring our own aesthetic to the home.

“I also have a huge appreciation for art and we love collecting it so the home is filled with art everywhere.”

The single-fronted cottage home still has its original facade, but introduces a world of wonder within.

This is where the old world meets the modernist new, with a design inspired by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, known for his love of shape, space and postmodern ideas.

The corner block allows for light to prevail, while two internal courtyards filled with greenery create harmonious energy.

A narrow corridor greets you as you enter; it’s here you’ll find an office and a guest room where spotted gum floorboards add to an outdoor/indoor ambience.

The emphasis on natural textures and marbled stone is ever present, while concrete walls add a brutalist perspective to a Japanese earthiness.

There are sculptures in the lounge and dining rooms, while Indigenous art such as a fish trap is also on display. You’ll find an upright piano, which Vivian likes to play on occasion – reliving a beloved childhood ritual.

Vivian’s love of art stems from his childhood – his mother is an avid art historian who collects porcelain and Indigenous art.

From the Ben Mazey sculpture he purchased for Esakoff as a house-warming gift, to the stand-out coffee table by artist and woodturner Makiko Ryujin, he is all about finding cool and quirky pieces.

“I personally like having a connection with the artist when I buy their art,” he says. “If I know they’re a nice person, then that creates more depth for me.”

While the concrete brickwork makes it harder to hang art, Vivian is willing to break the rules. You’ll find the back part of the residence christened with the neon artwork of Thrush Holmes.

“My husband Ben wanted to really keep the existing elements of the home intact as much as possible, whereas I am always trying to strike a balance with him because we have opposing interior tastes. I like lots of colour all the time,” Vivian says.

Playfulness is the theme in the hallway, with a woven artwork displaying the words: If God hates gays then why are we so cute.

“I love it when art is spelt out for you and you don’t have to think about it too much,” Vivian says.

Before working with fashion label Ena Pelly, Esakoff worked at Hub Furniture, and a lot of Moroso-designed furniture is to be found in their home.

The Italian luxury brand is known for its high-end collaborations.

“I feel their design is weird and kooky, like me,” Vivian says.

It was a job at Aesop that inspired Vivian to get into skincare and study beauty therapy. After seven years with a clinic in Prahran, he is now located in Toorak.

If you look close enough, you’ll find their home bathroom featured in all Instagram posts for Vivian’s skincare brand, Viviology.

“There is nothing quite like waking up in the morning and going into a bathroom that has a hotel vibe,” he says. “It is very inspiring and I can use it to shoot content.

“We have a his-and-his sink, which is ideal for two guys who love their beauty products.”

But it’s the courtyard that really hits the sweet spot for the couple because it reminds them of their wedding day in Palm Springs, California, in 2015.

“While our home isn’t a mid-century reference home, when we’re in the bedroom, the way the light and lines run across the back of the house and into the courtyard remind us of Palm Springs,” he says. “And momentarily we feel transported back in time.”