South Yarra Residence Transformed by Fiona Lynch

Fiona Lynch and her team have waved their magic wand on a narrow Victorian Terrace, transforming its living spaces into an oasis of calm. Sophisticated colours, playful textures, refined materials, custom details and a sublime curation of furniture pieces create a sense of grown-up whimsy, if ever there was such an oxymoron. The studio’s artistic approach to interiors is the hallmarks of the Melbourne-based practice, renowned for their supremely beautiful, award-winning outcomes, and this project in South Yarra is no exception.

“The brief given by our client was to create a space in which they could relax but also entertain guests,” explains Fiona. “When re-planning their dining and formal living areas, we played with textures to create an engaging space suitable for various uses,” she continues.

Although blessed with plenty of personality and regal proportions, the narrow Victorian terrace faces west. Its small heritage windows, coupled with large trees on the street limit the amount of natural light within the interior. A considerable effort was given to ensuring the rooms felt welcoming and bright. “It was important to give a different take on how the space felt previously,” says Fiona.

“We have worked with this client for a number of years. The plan for this space was designed a number of years ago, and sometimes it can be nice to take the time to review and decide whether the plans were the right solution.”

The existing “orange tinted” timber floors were whitewashed, and the walls were painted in a lighter shade which instantly transformed the blank canvas, allowing for the subsequent layering of a sophisticated colour scheme. “We played with a soft palette of pinks and greens and different textures such as the tweed-like weave of the sofa and rug,” said Fiona.

Bespoke joinery pieces sit on either side of the fireplace in both rooms. The formal living area provides open shelves made from painted oak, with internal lining and the shelves wrapped in aged bronze sheets. These beautifully crafted joinery elements sit firmly on custom marble boxes that match the cladding of the fireplace surrounds.

The dining room joinery features bi-fold doors with a custom handle crafted from a circular solid oak section, adding a playful touch. Consistent with the living room, this joinery piece sits on the marble plinth that compliments the adjacent stone fireplace.

A circular approach seems to have played out in the living room, with curved Ben Ben sofa from Arflex and Charlotte Perriand’s Rio coffee table for Cassina, however Fiona says this was not intentional. Some of the other pieces in the project include Christophe Delcourt’s Iko and Leo side tables, Ligne Roset’s invitingly plump Pumpkin armchair and ottoman, and Hans Wegner’s hirsute Flag Halyard chair for PP Møbler.

In the dining room, Christophe Delcourt’s YBU dining table in raw oak has a beautiful weathered texture, accompanied by Mario Bellini iconic Cab chairs for Cassina. “We deliberately alternated the leather colour between tan and grey.”

When asked how she and her team would sum up this project in a single word, Fiona is quick to exclaim – “Joyful”. But there is so much more to this little jewel that manages to feel playful yet grown up, rigorously edited yet free-spirited all at once. “The end result looks effortless; however much time was spent selecting and reviewing each material, detail or furniture piece,” concludes Fiona. I have no doubt this is entirely true.