The Design Files: A mid-century home in an under-explored area

Who: Jade Roberts of Rara PR, with her husband Wes and their three daughters Edith (7), Rose (5), and Mae (3)

What: A mid-century home in an under-explored area

Where: Dandenong, Melbourne

Jade Roberts of PR agency Rara PR and her family moved into their home in Dandenong in 2013, but it wasn’t until 2017 that the team began their renovations.

Roberts says the 1960s home had undergone some previous upgrades, and had touches of “the  ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s throughout.” The family updated the home to “harmonise everything aesthetically”, while creating an open-plan living area to offer more communal space where they could all be together.

Updates included repainting the interiors from their original green and yellow to a fresh natural white, and swapping blue carpet to a neutral tone.

Renovations involved relocating the kitchen to create an extra bedroom, and opening up the living space.

“The kitchen moved to an outdated dining area at the back of the house,” Roberts says. “We were able to open up that dining area, remove some nibs and connect it to a rumpus/bar, which is now our living and dining.”

Sadly, the ageing ’70s bar had to go, but the family kept much of the original joinery to create a new dining area and nook.

Roberts says her background in fashion and retail PR has provided her with a “life-long passion for thoughtfully designed and made things”.

She says this interest has matured into a love of interior design, art and architecture, which has been shaped by her friendship with Rhiannon Orr from Design Orr Build who unofficially guided the renovation from the sidelines.

This was incredibly helpful, as Roberts reveals that the project was completed while parenting a one-year-old, pregnant with their second child and running a business with a team from home.

Some of Roberts’ most treasured items include the pots by local ceramics brand Anchor Ceramics, and the Landscape Mountain photo print by Brisbane photographer Kara Rosenlund – a daily reminder to make time to be outdoors.

She describes her much loved home as “mid-century … with a curation of handcrafted objects”. Imbued with warmth, and decorated with an elegant collection of favourite collected objects, this family home perfectly balances a sense of nostalgia with contemporary design.

How to have houseplants that thrive

Houseplants are definitely having a moment. From majestic fiddle-leaf figs, to devil’s ivy training from window ledges and bookshelves, we haven’t seen this much lush plant life in Australian interiors since the 1970s.

Consider the following to ensure a thriving indoor jungle.

• Firstly, choose the right plant for your space! Purchase plants from a passionate plant seller who can advise you on optimal conditions for each species, based on temperature and available natural light.
• If you’re a novice gardener, start with a low-maintenance species while honing your green thumb. Succulents, cacti and rubber plants are some of the hardiest options, and will enable you to develop watering and plant care routines, without getting discouraged.

Plants suffer more from over-watering than lack of water. Adjust your watering regime seasonally, and remember many plants require watering only once a week.

Observe, observe, observe. Check soil moisture level every second day, and changes in foliage. Most plants like to dry out completely between watering.