There’s Over 60,000 Tiles In This Federation Home Makeover
Architecture
Malvern House by Studio Ceravolo brings colour and garden connections into the Federation home.
A window seat looks out to the backyard designed by Eckersley Garden Architecture about 10 years ago.
The casual dining area now enjoys garden views.
Studio Ceravolo were keen to eschew the ‘archetypal timber flooring’ and create a ‘carpet’ of small format stone pavers as a consistent and grounding feature throughout all spaces.
Natural stone, coloured furniture, stainless steel and a sculptural staircase all sit in harmony.
The main dining table is built in, and doubles as extra kitchen space for preparation.
Neutral colours in the kitchen are still tactile and textured.
The stainless steel kitchen splashback.
Chair by Brud Studia from Oigall Projects
The use of small tiles continues on the home’s rear exterior. Chair by Brud Studia from Oigall Projects
Custom joinery hides the television when not in use.
The sculptural staircase is a hero feature of the new interior.
The living is relaxed and refined.
Sorbet hues in the sitting room. Artwork by Harry McAlpine from Oigall Projects
Artwork by Harry McAlpine from Oigall Projects
A generous en suite services the main downstairs bedroom.
There’s over 60,000 tiles in the home, many in the main en suite.
A calming bedroom interior.
The moody and glamorous second bathroom.
Small moments inspire joy in daily rituals.
Artwork by Harry McAlpine from Oigall Projects
A beautiful north-oriented garden is the jewel of the house.
In renovating their Malvern family home of two decades, the owners were seeking a more calming and luxurious space.
Their architect, Studio Ceravolo, felt strongly that the material selection reflect this.
‘A material representation of a new stage of life for the owners, and for the house itself,’ as Rosanna Ceravolo, director of Studio Ceravolo, describes it.
Both the structurally sound original section of the Federation house, and reworked rear, were cosmetically renovated.
From a materiality perspective, Studio Ceravolo were keen to eschew the ‘archetypal timber flooring’ and create a ‘carpet’ of small format stone pavers as a consistent and grounding feature throughout all spaces, including the exterior.
‘We wanted the owners to experience a sensory journey throughout the home each day and surmised the flooring was the best way to do this,’ says Rosanna. ‘The pavers would do in plan what the full height and breadth glazing would do in elevation – create an expansive and energising effect.’
The use of small format tiles continues across feature joinery, fireplaces, and in both bathrooms, exploring subtle colour blocking and textural layering to great effect.
‘I’m estimating around 60,000-65,000 floor tiles were used throughout… that’s a lot!’ says Rosanna.
‘In early conversations with the client, we discussed the home evoking a chic Milanese apartment feeling and I think we kind of achieved that.’
Structural changes to the layout were made to support a more leisurely way of life, and connect to both the front and rear gardens.
‘We configured the garden-interfacing living zones to create an optimised layout that takes full advantage of the space and garden aspect,’ says Rosanna. ‘We introduced a series of defined, self contained zones which form part of a larger cohesive space.’
Small moments inspire joy in daily rituals, such as a dedicated bar area for a whisky, a serene front room for entertaining friends, and a generous en suite for the main downstairs bedroom.
‘The joinery throughout the kitchen and lounge areas is highly considered, and packed with utility, however it was important that these areas retained a sense of ease and a casual quality whilst being suggestive of function,’ says Rosanna.
The biggest challenge of the project was for the tiler and builder, ensuring thousands of small format tiles could be set out within the parameters of a 100-year-old building.
It was all worth it, with the outcome surpassing the clients’ expectations. ‘They really love it… and they are constantly discovering new things they love about it,’ says Rosanna. ‘I think that is the best compliment you can get as an architect.’