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Arch Deco

A Spanish mission art-deco hybrid home in Balywn is updated taking inspiration from the colours and arches of the original house.  

This Spanish Mission-style house, built in the 1930s, came with ‘great bones’ – solid double brick walls and generous accommodation. On the downside, one had to follow a maze-like passage to reach the back garden and many of the rooms, including a front vestibule, were literally a through way. The 1990s addition was also problematic, with the chunky sliding aluminum doors to contrast the fine steel arched windows from the 1930s. Hence, while a new kitchen and bathrooms were required, the initial phase focused on getting the planning right for a couple with a child, who was returning to Melbourne from living overseas. ​  

While the owners felt the house was too small and required enlarging, Hindley & Co could see it was the layout and the lack of interconnection between rooms and spaces that were the main stumbling blocks. The dining room and family room were simply disjointed from the dining and kitchen area, and the removal of a few walls created a much more appropriate response to contemporary living. Other areas, such as the vestibule at the front of the house, was transformed into a study, with new wall-to-wall built-in shelves. The flimsy 1990s sliding glass doors were replaced with arched steel and glass doors, now framing the dining area that overlooks the pool and terrace for alfresco dining. The new striped awnings give protection from the northern sunlight. ​  

While the kitchen, with its Corian bench and butler’s pantry, is clearly new, many of the original features in this home have come to life with a sumptuous palette of colours – mauve ceilings including repainting the heavy brown timber rafters (in the living areas), deep emerald green (for the study) and soft pale greys to replace the stark white walls (popular in the 1930s). Other vibrant colour appears in the selection of tiles, including the ensuite to the main bedroom which now features punchy graphic floor tiles that loosely reference the home’s origins. ​ 

The Balwyn house, with its four bedrooms, still retains all the hallmarks of the Spanish Mission style - decorative fireplace surrounds, lead light windows and original arches that are now experiencing a revival almost a century later. However, with a few strategic moves, removing a few walls, providing new amenities and a more adventurous colour palette, it shows what can be achieved by building on its past and taking it several steps forward.    

Architect:
Hindley & Co 

Interior Designer:
Hindley & Co 

Interior Styling:
Hindley & Co 

​Builder:
Baker Building Group 

Photographer:
Tatjana Plitt

Location:
Balywn, Victoria

Project year:
2021

Status:
Completed

Location
Balwyn, Victoria
Completed
2020
Price to build
$0.5m - $1m
Building style
Art Deco
Client
Private
Building plans
04 Proposed UF
Modern art deco styled dining room featuring arched windows with black window frames. The room features pops of colour from the jewel coloured upholstered dining chairs from Gubi. The elliptical shaped black dining table with beveled half moon legs echo the curves of the art deco period. Overhanging black and brass pendant lights are from Gubi. The flooring is in pale oak in a herringbone pattern from Havwoods. Located in Melbourne, see more from our Arch Deco Project.
Renovated 1930’s art deco spanish mission style house in Melbourne. Art deco spanish mission house from the 1930’s renovated with updated paint with black shutters. Front of house with formal garden with box hedges and terracotta tiles. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Hallway looking through to study featuring flooring is oak wood herringbone, as the central corridor to living and kitchen areas in this 1930s art deco renovation in Melbourne. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Large black and white art deco entryway with geometric concrete matt tiling from Perini, matched with black and white stairway carpet runner. The project is a 1930s art deco spanish mission style house in Melbourne. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Arch Deco
Modern inspired dining room with pops of colour from jewel coloured chairs to play off the art deco heritage of the home. The dining chairs are upholstered beetle dining chairs from Gubi, as is the elliptical shaped black dining table with bevelled half moon legs which reference simple design curves from the art deco period. Overhanging art deco inspired black and brass pendant lights are from Gubi. The flooring is in pale oak in a herringbone pattern from Havwoods, another nod to the art deco period of the home. Located in Melbourne, see more from our Arch Deco Project
Modern inspired dining room in open plan kitchen, featuring flooring in pale oak in a herringbone pattern from Havwoods, a nod to the art deco period of the home. Located in Melbourne, see more from our Arch Deco Project
White kitchen with minimalist styling featuring white gloss diamond Perini tile backsplash, vibrant oak cool white veneer cabinetry, and a central cool grey cement hexagon patterned tiles on the floor, silver birch coloured corian stone bench top and oversized hand crafted pedestal legs using half round dowels as the finish for a contemporary and modern feel. Located in Melbourne, see more from our Arch Deco Project.
Open concept kitchen with soft pastel coloured finishes featuring cool grey cement hexagon patterned tiles on the floor,  silver birch coloured corian stone bench top and hand crafted oversized pedestal legs using half round dowels as the finish for a contemporary and modern feel. Located in Melbourne, see more from our Arch Deco Project.
Arches on arches are repeated through this 1930’s art deco spanish mission style house renovation in suburban Melbourne. View through to the library with dark green walls (Paint colour Coriole from Dulux) and an occasional Joy chair in mustard elk velvet from Jardan. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Living room with central 1930’s Art Deco original fireplace and vaulted ceiling painted in violet from Dulux. Flooring is oak with a matt lacquer to draw in the art deco heritage of the home. The room is furnished with Elke paprika velvet chairs from Castelli, and the Willy Rizzo Bar cart from Castorina. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Living room featuring vaulted ceiling painted in mauve from Dulux, with arched doorways, Elke paprika velvet chairs from Castelli and oak flooring laid in herringbone pattern, with a matt lacquer, from our inner easter suburbs project in Melbourne, renovating a 1930’s spanish art deco home. See more from our Arch Deco Project
Home study in a 1930’s Spanish Mission renovation, with a reimagined art deco inspired design. Featuring a dark green garden aesthetic with jeweled green wall colour in Dulux Coriole. Arched doors and windows and jeweled coloured chairs contribute to an overall rich colour scheme. Located in Melbourne, see more from our Arch Deco Project.
Library view from the living room through arched doorways and ceiling beams to keep with the art deco style of this house. Wall painted in dark green (Coriole) from Dulux (colour: Coriole). Crystal wall pendant lights frame the doorway and flooring is european oak laid in herringbone pattern with a matt lacquer for a minimalist styling.Project is a 1930s art deco spanish mission style house in Melbourne. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Art deco library featuring a large arched doorway framed by bookcases. Wall and bookcase painted in dark green from Dulux (colour: Coriole). Occasional Joy chair upholstered in elk velvet mustard from Jardan. Flooring in oak wood laid in herringbone pattern with a matt lacquer for a minimalist styling. The project is a 1930s art deco spanish mission style house in Melbourne. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
TV room featuring 1930s art deco fireplace, with marble mantle and a Louis Pulsen Panthella light from Cult. The flooring is oak wood herringbone, coffee table from Coco Flip. Emerald upholstered sofa from Jardan adds a pop of colour to a simply styled white TV room with mauve ceiling. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Master bedroom with headboard created with tasmanian oak wood dowels for a highly finished art deco minimalist feel. Cushions and bedding provide pops of colour in warm pink and jeweled colour oranges and burgundies. Pale pink  coloured carpet from Edel Carpets. Home located in Melbourne. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Master bedroom seating area featuring Elke copper velvet chairs from Castelli and marble coloured carpet from Edel Carpets), from our inner easter suburbs project in Melbourne, renovating a 1930’s spanish art deco home. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Art Deco inspired large ensuite bathroom with pink and cream Butterfly tile from Perini, featuring a top mounted, double sink from corian, Forme L'isola  Freestanding Bath  and walk in shower.   Located in Melbourne, see more from our Arch Deco Project. The colour scheme references the colours used commonly during the Art Deco period of the house.
Art Deco bathroom, featuring original 1930’s cream textured tiles with green accent tile line and bath (resurfaced). Vantity designed by Hindley & Co with curved Corian top and siding, hand crafted by JFJ Joinery. Matching curved mirrored medicine cabinet by Hindley & Co. The project is a 1930s art deco spanish mission style house in Melbourne. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
Art deco spanish mission house from the 1930’s renovated with updated paint with charcoal shutters. Rear space off kitchen features black and white striped awning, from Docril. See more from our Arch Deco Project.
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About the
Professional

Award Winning Architects & Interior Designers
​In our practice, we aim to lift the spirit, shift perspective, and amplify the sensory experience. We create spaces that connect you to life, nature, art and the greater whole. 

We take the time to understand not only what you want, but the deeper reasons why. Then we can design better, tailored, living environments that our clients really love.

Hindley & Co
Hindley & Co

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