An Eclectic, Scandinavian-Inspired, Bespoke Australian Home

Name: John & Jo Ryan, and 3 kids (Erica [absent], Austin and Sophia)
Location: Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia
Size: 26 square meters
Years lived in: 9.5 years owned

With three growing kids to think about, Jo and John have put together a functional family home with different spaces to study, play music and relax. The neutral color palette makes it a calming space to be in, and its proximity to the ocean lends to the cruisy vibe. While this home might look modern, bright, airy and spacious, it wasn’t always that way. What stood in its place almost 10 years ago was a dark, rabbit-warren-like Italian-style family home. But John and Jo saw potential…

By getting rid of a garage and creating a second wing, knocking down walls and moving bedrooms, the couple have created something thoroughly livable, fresh and modern. It’s not the first time they’ve achieved the impossible, though. Prior to moving into this property they built a mud brick house from scratch! They’ve since sold that property to make room for their three kids and to reflect a more modern aesthetic here in Wonthaggi, on Victoria’s Bass Coast.

When they first moved in, the front room was a collection of awkward spaces created by walls that were unnecessary barriers. One of the first things they did was to knock them down, opening up the living/dining/kitchen space which, second to the outdoor BBQ area, is the heart of the home. What they’ve achieved through tireless renovations is a beautiful, functional and modern space which can evolve with their lifestyle and taste.

Our Style: Eclectic/Scandinavian/Bespoke

Inspiration: Magazines, lifestyle TV

Favorite Element: Low maintenance living

Biggest Challenge: Getting teenagers to keep their rooms tidy!

What Friends Say: Who designed your house? Wow!

Biggest Embarrassment: My outdated kitchen and living through renovations.

Proudest DIY: Achieving and doing our own renovations from start to finish…with three children (two who are sick).

Biggest Indulgence: Bathroom and ensuite.

Best Advice: Think outside the square, planning and research are essential, expect the unexpected.

Dream Sources: 20^th century/second-hand stores, Coco Republic, anything Mark Tuckey, Globe West, Curious Grace.

PAINT & COLORS
Wattyl Portico inside

• Side Buffet – Freedom
• Vintage deer – family heirloom
• Vase – Aalto
• House, pink vase and black and white votive – Bloomingville
• White wooden Malm stool – South Coast Furnishings
• Yellow stool – Click on Furniture
• Coat hanger – Milan Direct
• Ottoman – Freedom (reupholstered)
• Sheep throw – Ikea
• Pink cushion on ottoman – Norsu

• Coffee table – Click on Furniture
• Cushions – Country Road
• Lounge suite – vintage, reupholstered by Colbetts Upholstery
• Moroccan Pouffe – Table Tonic
• Fox Print – Norsu
• Block Side Table – Click on Furniture
• Cow hide – Southern Bazaar
• Tram Stop scroll – Poultier & Poultier
• Marble side tulip tables – Relax House

• Antique dining table – found in a local bric-a-brac store
• Dining chairs – Click on Furniture
• Table centrepieces – Country Road
• Danish side board – Southern Bazaar
• Flower rug – Armadillo & Co
• Paradise print – Black List Studio
• Juju hat – Table Tonic
• Radio – Tivoli Audio
• Bowl – Marimekko
• Houses – Bloomingville
• Marble cross – Country Road
• Swan chair – found in second-hand store re-upholstered.

KITCHEN

• Teapot – Milk & Sugar
• Marble chopping board – Bloomingville
• Assorted Country Road serving ware
• Lightbox – Typo
• Cross print – Olive & Joy
• Little elephant ornament – Have You Met Miss Jones

• Bed frame – made by us
• Side tables – custom made from recycled timber
• Side lamps – thrift shop
• Ornamental plates on wall – Remember Products
• Daisy Rug – Armadillo & Co
• Mobile – Flensted
• Linen – Nord Copenhagen from Norsu
• Cushion – Xavier and Me
• Felt basket – Norsu
• Chair – Freedom
• Leather ottoman – second hand find
• Cushion – Country Road
• Dressing table – Ikea,
• Prints – Olive & Joy
• Plant Bag – Uashmama
• Necklaces – Mookah
• Ceramic skull – You and Me Boutique

SOPHIA’S BEDROOM

• Bed and desk – Freedom
• Bed linen – Cotton On Kids
• 3 prints – Moore Creative
• Zig zag rug – Freedom
• Small round sisal rug – Amalfi
• Chair – Click on Furniture
• Drawers – Ikea
• Gold garland and polka dot decals – Cotton on Kids
• Bed Throw – Aura Home
• Mobile – Puka Puka
• Cain pendant – local gift store
• Sheepskin – Ikea
• Wooden clouds – Mookah

ERICA’S BEDROOM

• Bed frame – made by us
• Dog print Lisa Bengtsson from Norsu
• ‘Beautiful’ print – Black List Studio
• Wall flag – Moore Creative
• Both chairs – Click on Furniture
• Linen – Kip & Co
• Moroccan Pouffe – Table Tonic
• Desk – thrift shop
• Mobile – Puka Puka
• Cage lamp – local light shop
• Large zig-zag rug – Freedom
• Small sisal rug – Amalfi
• Dresser – Freedom
• Coat hanger – Click on Furniture

AUSTIN’S BEDROOM

• Bed – Freedom Furniture
• Print above bed – Black List Studio
• Bed Linen – Cotton On Kids
• Ply moose head – Freedom Furniture
• ‘Hello’ flag – Typo
• Cage light – local light shop
• Dog print – Lisa Bengtsson from Norsu
• Red chair/bed – Aero Designs
• White dresser, timber drawers and black drawers IkeaCassette decal – Ferm Living

BATHROOM

• Towels – Target
• Side table – Adairs
• Timber shelves – resourced recycled timber
• Handmade pot plant on vanity and concrete pot plant – Curated Made
• Bottle candle – Frankie Gusti

ENSUITE

• Towels – Loom
• Timber shelf – recycled timber
• Dustpan – Normann Copenhagen

SECOND LOUNGE ROOM

• Sofa – Reupholstered second-hand
• Coffee table – Southern Bazaar
• Pots – Well & Glasso
• Moroccan Pouffe – Table Tonic
• Crosses Throw – Adairs
• Rug – Freedom
• Deer Hide – Southern Bazaar
• Side tulip table – Click on Furniture
• Antique lounge chair – reupholstered
• Pink cushion – Country Road
• Prints – Typo, Hunting For George, stretched Marimekko material made by Jo
• Steel shelf – Freedom Furniture
• Timber table – thrift shop
• Dining chairs – Southern Bazaar
• Timber wall hooks – Country Road
• Round mirror – Target
• Wicker chair – Island Living
• Clouds on wall – KikkiK

STUDY/MUSIC ROOM

• Desk – custom made
• Mousepad – Oyoy
• Candle and stacking cubes on desk – Country Road
• Timber shelves – Ikea
• Pot and votive – Bloomingville
• Vintage books – family heirloom
• Chair – Mocka

OUTDOOR BBQ AREA

• Table and Benches – Patio by Jamie Durie
• Acapulco chairs – Inverloch Outdoor Furniture Centre

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