Homes

A Loving Restoration Of A Significant, Modernist Melbourne Home

When we last saw this property back in 2018, it was an architecturally gorgeous but somewhat neglected house and garden… until David Miskimmin and interior stylist Holly Miskimmin came along!

After the initial sale fell through, Holly and David purchased the Eaglemont house in 2019, kickstarting a restoration of the significant property, which was originally designed in 1962 by modernist architect Charles Duncan.

The results are remarkable!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
|
Photography
by
|
Editorial styling
by

Annie Portelli

Supported by Dulux

Khaki Jam tiles by Fibonacci. Dulux Night Sky paint on windows. Sequence Round Table by Coco Flip. Mid-century modern sideboard and sofa, both purchased from Facebook Marketplace. Wylie Chair by En Gold. Artwork ‘Moving Study’ by Ali McNabney Stevens. Surface Sconce by Studio Henry Wilson. Green boucle cushion by Newline Cushions. Jex Vinyl Stand by Idle Hands via Happy Valley. Original fireplace, bricks, and limewashed pine timber ceiling.

David, Hazel (10), Holly, Willow (8), Frankie (5) Miskimmin in their Eaglemont, Melbourne home.

Kitchen build and joinery by Joinery by CJ. U Fold Linear light in Brick Speckle by South Drawn. Bar stools by GlobeWest. Artwork in kitchen by Stacey Rees. Art on top of stairs by Lily Duffy. King Vessel by Floating House. Wiggle Vase by Bzippy. Small screen print art on upper shelf by Tessa Marie Design. Handmade ceramics on shelf by local artisans, including Sarah Schembri. Inax 2×1 Inch tiles from Artedomus. Voss engineered timber flooring by Woodcut. Dulux Night Sky paint on windows.

 

Reupholstered mustard velvet vintage atomic chairs. Photographic artwork ‘Scopello’ by Alexandra Roe, custom framed by Forman Art and Framing. Joinery by CJ. U Fold Linear light in Brick Speckle by South Drawn. Bar stools by GlobeWest. Voss engineered timber flooring by Woodcut. Original built-in teak cantilevered dining table. Framed photo by Alexander Roe.

Textured artwork by Sarah Shinners. Reupholstered mustard velvet vintage atomic chairs. Photographic artwork ‘Scopello’ by Alexandra Roe, custom framed by Forman Art and Framing. Joinery by CJ. U Fold Linear light in Brick Speckle by South Drawn. Bar stools by GlobeWest. Voss engineered timber flooring by Woodcut. Original built-in teak cantilevered dining table. Framed photo by Alexander Roe.

Semi pendant by Fog & Morup from Angelucci 20th Century. Ceramic decorative objects from Freedom. Reupholstered mustard velvet vintage atomic chairs. 1977 Sofa by King Living. Lampe De Marseille Mini wall lamp designed by Le Corbusier by Nemo. Sheer curtains in Rhythm by Mokum in Sand fabric, installed by Simon Akester from Esenar Shading Systems. Inax 2×1 Inch tiles from Artedomus. Voss engineered timber flooring by Woodcut. Dulux Night Sky paint on windows. Dulux Antique White U.S.A. paint on walls.

Brass half moon mirror by Pop and Scott, with custom gold fringing added by Holly Miskimmin. Zurich Occasional Chair by Coco Republic. Pink cushion by Hommey. Madeline Ottoman by West Elm. Blue Wave Bowl by Jess Sellinger. Throw rug designed by Natalia Vico for Slowdown Studio, and custom framed by Forman Art and Framing. Coffee table by GlobeWest, customised by Holly with walnut timber base. Adore Rug in Honey by The Rug Collection. 1977 Sofa by King Living. Sheer curtains in Rhythm by Mokum in Sand fabric, installed by Simon Akester from Esenar Shading Systems. Khaki Jam tiles by Fibonacci. Voss engineered timber flooring by Woodcut. Dulux Night Sky paint on windows. Dulux Antique White U.S.A. paint on walls.

Brass half moon mirror by Pop and Scott, with custom gold fringing added by Holly Miskimmin. Zurich Occasional Chair by Coco RepublicMadeline Ottoman by West Elm. Adore Rug in Honey by The Rug Collection. Sheer curtains in Rhythm by Mokum in Sand fabric, installed by Simon Akester from Esenar Shading Systems.

A framed architectural drawing of the original house hangs in the playroom. Artwork in foreground by Bobby Clark. Artwork on rear wall by Darby Illustrations. Vintage sofa in playroom reupholstered by Mood Objects. Adore Rug in Honey by The Rug Collection. 1977 Sofa by King Living.

Zurich Occasional Chair by Coco Republic. Pink cushion by Hommey. Madeline Ottoman by West Elm. Blue Wave Bowl by Jess Sellinger. Throw rug designed by Natalia Vico for Slowdown Studio, and custom framed by Forman Art and Framing. Coffee table by GlobeWest, customised by Holly with a walnut timber base. Adore Rug in Honey by The Rug Collection. 1977 Sofa by King Living. Sheer curtains in Rhythm by Mokum in Sand fabric, installed by Simon Akester from Esenar Shading Systems. Khaki Jam tiles by Fibonacci. Dulux Night Sky paint on windows. Dulux Antique White U.S.A. paint on walls.

Khaki Jam tiles by Fibonacci. Dulux Night Sky paint on windows. Dulux Antique White U.S.A. paint on walls. 1977 Sofa by King Living. Sheer curtains in Rhythm by Mokum in Sand fabric, installed by Simon Akester from Esenar Shading Systems. Handmade striped mirror by Sarah Shinners. Chrome nesting tables purchased from Facebook Marketplace.

1977 Sofa by King Living. Lampe De Marseille Mini wall lamp designed by Le Corbusier by Nemo. Sheer curtains in Rhythm by Mokum in Sand fabric, installed by Simon Akester from Esenar Shading Systems. Voss engineered timber flooring by Woodcut. Dulux Night Sky paint on windows. Dulux Antique White U.S.A. paint on walls. Square cushion by Newline Cushions. Circle ceramic vase by Mark Gambino Pottery. Sitting Couple by Folklore.

One of the renovated bathrooms.

Frankie’s bedroom. Wall hanging by Sage and Clare. Bed linen by Bed Threads. Petal cushion by Kip&Co. Custom family dog illustration, and flower wall hanging by  Tessa Marie Design, ‘Frankie’ art print by The Name Nest. Spiez carpet by Halcyon Lake. Original built-in timber bed and vintage bed lamp by Daydream.

 

The main bedroom. Artwork by Susan Trigg via Forman Art and Framing. Poppy cushion by Jardan. Nelly lamp by Jardan. Teak headboard purchased from Facebook Marketplace. Bed linen by Bed Threads. Jordan Alpaca Blanket Sand by Jardan.

Artwork by Susan Trigg via Forman Art and Framing. Poppy cushion by Jardan. Nelly lamp by Jardan. Teak headboard purchased from Facebook Marketplace. Bed linen by Bed Threads. Jordan Alpaca Blanket Sand by Jardan.

Hazel and Willow’s bedroom. Spiez carpet by Halcyon Lake. Artwork ‘Sandy Bay’ by Marinka Parnham via Greenhouse Interiors. Copper face ceramic wall hanging from Etsy. Bed linen by Bed Threads. Karrinyarra Throw Blanket designed by Emma Daniels for Slowdown Studio. Cushion by Kip&Co. Brass hook by Pop and Scott. Original built-in timber bed and vintage bed lamp by Daydream.

 

Spiez carpet by Halcyon Lake. Artwork by Bobby Clark. Mirror by Lrnce. Cushion by Kip&Co x Ernabella Arts. Bed linen by Bed Threads. Throw rug designed by Adrian Wong for Slowdown Studio. Original built-in timber bed and vintage bed lamp by Daydream.

 

Side table by GlobeWest. SKARPÖ outdoor chairs by IKEA. Plants in the garden include: Agonis flexuosa (burgundy willow myrtle), Carpobrotus rossii (pig face), cotton Lavender, Monstera deliciosa, Acer palmatum (Japanese maple), Dichondra repens (kidneyweed), Tanika Lomandra longifolia, and Helichrysum petiolare (licorice plant).

Hardwood timber lining boards by Australian Timber Ceilings (originals replaced due to water damage).

 

Writer
Lucy Feagins
Photography
Editorial styling

Annie Portelli

3rd of December 2024
Interior design + styling
Build

E. V. Jell Pty Ltd

Kitchen build and joinery
Location

Eaglemont, VIC/Wurundjeri Country

In the original plans of this home, designed in 1962 by modernist architect Charles Duncan, the house is surrounded by four terrace gardens.

This element of the mid-century house had been lost over time, but was recently reinstated by David Miskimmin and interior stylist Holly Miskimmin, who began restoring the Eaglemont property in 2020 to serve as their beloved family home.

Holly and David initially discovered the Melbourne home via The Design Files, when it was featured in a story penned by columnists Patricia Callan of Pete Bakacs of Modernist Australia.

‘We weren’t in a position to buy it at the time, but luckily for us, the sale fell through and it came back on the market later that year,’ says Holly.

‘Within the space of 12 days, we sold our unlisted, off market property and purchased this one — all the while having recently had our third daughter and very much in the newborn phase.’

Upon taking possession of the property, Holly and David were given many historical documents including original blueprints, engineered drawings, contracts, instruction manuals, and material lists outlining the home’s credentials.

By 2019, however, the house and garden were looking a little worse for wear.

‘[It was] in a state that most couldn’t see past,’ says Holly. ‘Thankfully, it was also heritage listed, and therefore no option to knock down… We couldn’t wait to bring it back to its former glory, regardless of the work that was ahead of us.’

In designing the renovation, it was incredibly important to Holly and David to maintain the home’s architectural integrity.

‘It was more of a sympathetic restoration project than renovation,’ explains Holly.

‘What we did change was opening up and redesigning the kitchen and laundry to create a better connected space incorporating timber, green joinery, and beautiful Japanese ceramic tiles, along with a place to display some of our cherished pieces.’

Holly and David updated all the bathrooms; replaced all the damaged floors; repainted the walls; restored all window and door frames; replaced water damaged external eaves; and installed new kitchen joinery from Joinery by CJ.

For the landscaping, Holly and David hoped to reinstate Charles Duncan’s original design plan for multiple outdoor terraces to surround the house.

The couple had a consultation with landscape designer Lisa Ellis Gardens, who provided valuable advice on plant selections and layout, to be installed by Holly and David.

‘In keeping with the style and organic nature of the home, we chose to select largely Australian native plants, along with a few exotic plants and some interesting sculptural plants to create interest,’ says Holly.

‘We chose predominantly a palette of green and burgundy, which tie in with the green joinery and brickwork.

‘The gardens connect whole heartedly to the home, with many in-built planter boxes transitioning through from the inside out, allowing us to fully connect the spaces.’

David and Holly are self-described homebodies, which is reflected in the love, time, and effort they’ve put into restoring this wonderful house, and maintaining its upkeep.

‘It is a house that allows us to be constantly connected, with every space being used equally and nothing wasted,’ says Holly.

‘The kids appreciate how interesting the spaces are, and it really opens up their creative minds being surrounded by things with such purpose and authenticity.’

If only there were a 1000 more Holly and Davids to restore all of north-east Melbourne’s mid-century gems!

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