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Interior designer Sara Levitas and multi talented husband Noam (community Rabbi, high school teacher, jazz singer and writer) were looking for a rental in Caulfield, with a particular eye on heritage-style homes. Sara explains ‘finding the perfect place for us was a bit of a challenge, especially because we were looking for a single dwelling rental, in a very specific area. Luckily we found this just in time!’
As an interior designer, Sara explains that she understands people’s hesitancy in investing time and energy personalising a rental, but she believes ‘our home environment is so much part of who we are, and it’s important to invest emotionally into a space, to make it truly your own.’
The couple were attracted to the Californian bungalow style home, particularly the ceiling roses, ornate windows and dark timber floorings. Against this heritage backdrop, Sara has introduced an eclectic collection of art, MANY plants, and a mix of op shop, inherited and contemporary furniture. She explains ‘I love shopping locally’ and cites Open Room, Jardan, Designstuff and Ivy Muse as go to places. Although Sara also acknowledges that ‘no home would be complete without a couple of standard IKEA pieces to round everything off!’
The colourful and cosy house is described by Sara as a ‘whimsical cross between farmhouse, mid-century and Scandinavian…maybe!’ Favourite items include the plants she buys and Noam waters, the artwork in the living area her aeronautical engineer and Hasidic folk painter father created, and the special Moda Piera floor lamp. With three energetic kids, having these beautiful objects might sound a little precarious, but Sara emphasises that ‘the trick is teaching our children to take care of what we have. This does involve strict rules about no ball playing in the living area!’
Sara and Noam’s vibrant and verdant home is located close to the kids school, and their own synagogue, and this connection to community is integral to their family. Sara explains ‘In the Jewish faith, the family home is very much the centre of everything we do. It goes beyond, however, the large lavish meals shared with friends and community on the weekly Shabbat and many festivals, or the life lessons shared on the couch over a cup of tea with our children, gleaned from the ancient books that line our walls. It is truly about creating a serene sanctuary in the midst of an often turbulent world.’ She concludes, ‘Our hope is that the aesthetic choices we make in the home are not merely superficial niceties designed to impress or flaunt, but rather, conscious decisions that contribute to the creation of a peaceful, inspired and inspiring environment, that enriches not just our lives, but the lives of whoever steps inside.’
