The Design Files: The Melbourne house with a Miami beach vibe

Who: Emma Abrahams of Heart of Bone, Justin Abrahams of Pedla

What: A family home that channels Miami in Melbourne

Where: Studley Park, Kew

When Emma Abrahams and her husband Justin purchased their Studley Park home in 2002, it hadn’t been lived in for some time.

The house was designed for a family of five by architect Alan Synman in 1970, and, Abrahams says, “We lived in it for a while with all the multicoloured shag pile carpets and bespoke ’70s wallpapers”.

After a year of shag pile under their feet, they engaged architects Coy Yiontis to renovate the home, and bring the aesthetic a little more in line with the couple’s own style.

“Most of the works we did were cosmetic,” Abrahams says, but the major work was gutting the middle of the home, to create an open-plan kitchen and living space with a
cosy fire.

In the backyard, the pool and landscaping were given a new lease on life, and two enormous palm trees (wedding gifts from friends) were planted and made right at home.

With two creative directors at the helm, Abrahams admits there were some robust discussions over the colour palette of the home.

“I wanted the house in all black tones and Justin wanted all white,” Abrahams says. Justin won – “this time”, she says.

Against these bright white walls, the couple has created a contemporary and fun Miami beach vibe throughout the home.

Abrahams highlights the 18th-century Venetian chaise-lounge from Justin’s flamboyant grandmother as a favourite piece. Originally upholstered in hot pink velvet, the chair has now been refurbished to fit into the family’s sleek aesthetic.

For the couple, the Studley Park location is perfectly positioned near both of their inner-city offices, and provides great walking tracks for their pet German shepherd.

“The streets are quiet enough for the kids to ride and scooter around, and the garden faces west so it’s filled with beautiful warm afternoon light,” Abrahams says.

While Melbourne weather can’t quite match Miami’s, the pool, tropical plants and bright interiors definitely make this home feel like an eternal holiday.

Colour blocking

Colour blocking can be somewhat anti-intuitive. We tend to be far more comfortable bringing together tones of a similar palette. But pairing distinct colours together in one, confident swoop lends power and impact to any interior.

• Start with what you have – a favourite chair, or artwork key colour can inform your selections for the room.
• Avoid colours from a similar palette or family. Instead, challenge yourself to pair bold, contrasting colours – try letterbox red with emerald green, royal blue with hot pink, and rust orange with bright purple.
• Seek out contrasting colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel, for a high contrast and high impact colour combination.
• Cool white walls are a perfect backdrop for bold, primary colour. Look for a crisp white with a blue undertone.