Home Tour: Lucy Fenton’s Malvern Home

Location: Malvern, Melbourne's south-east

Who lives here: Lucy Fenton, her partner and two children

Interior style: Colourful, timeless, liveable

Favourite pieces: Our art collection is what really makes me happy. We have collected pieces from all over the world and from many artists and photographers we represent at Fenton & Fenton. Art is like music for me. It transports me back to a moment in a time.

Favourite room: I love the kid's rooms. They exude their personalities, and they are constantly changing as they bring home new bits of art and little treasures they find along the way.

Love the most: We love the open plan living. There's lots of space for the kids to ride their scooters down the hallway and spread Lego from one end of the house to the next. The sliding door at the back opens onto a leafy backyard. It's a really comfortable family home.

In the picture-perfect suburb of Malvern, in Melbourne's south-east, an Edwardian weatherboard home caught the attention of Lucy Fenton, the founder of homewares and interiors powerhouse Fenton & Fenton. Enamoured by the home's beauty, she set about transforming the interiors into a wonderland of art, colour and texture. 

"We were looking for a bigger home as we just had our second baby. When this house came up, we instantly fell in love with it," explains Lucy. "The house was a perfect blank canvas, I knew through the interiors and some cosmetic changes we would be able to inject our style and make it a home that we love."

THE HALLWAY

Through the front door, the hallway is light and fresh with pops of colour. The Universal Earth dhurrie rug runs the length of the hall, while the wall sconces, deco console, feature mirror and collection of art pieces set the scene for what lays beyond. 

"We chose a different colour palette for each room to create a different mood in each space. It makes the house feel cosier, and the rooms feel really inviting and interesting," says Lucy. "The main living area we kept light and bright, and the other rooms are a bit moodier, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds."

OPEN PLAN LIVING

Lucy's love for colour and natural materials shines through in the main living space. Overlooking the leafy backyard, the living room is filled with colour, from the Tessa 3-seater navy velvet sofa to the rose quartz x-frame coffee table to the wall art, Changgwang Diving Board by Dave Kulesza.

In contrast, the kitchen and dining area are kept light and neutral. Playing with natural materials, Lucy incorporates leather, terracotta, travertine and rattan. Beneath the artwork Sydney: Working Harbour by Alexandra Plim, the Bowie dining table is paired with leather strapping dining chairs, while flat leather bar stools in teak and tan sit beneath the kitchen island bench. 

"The home is filled with an eclectic assortment of pieces we have collected on our travels. It tells a story of who we are. And they are constantly being moved around, re-arranged and re-hung," says Lucy.

THE BEDROOMS

The three bedrooms are a nod to the individual personalities. The primary bedroom has a feminine vibe with punches of black and white coming through in the artwork, Laid Back Print by Andy Staley and in the bone inlay deco bedside table. The teak and natural leather strapping bench and the hibiscus Bedouin linen duvet cover bring a natural element into the mix. 

Lucy's daughter's love for all things pink is the standout feature in her bedroom. Pink walls, a pink capsule dhurrie rug and floral pink bone inlay 3-drawer bedside table. Yet, the use of pattern on pattern creates a fun kid's space. Lucy opts for a more timeless look with timber furnishing and tartan bedhead in their son's bedroom.

"I love the kid's bedrooms, they exude their personalities, and they are constantly changing as they bring home new bits of art and little treasures they find along the way," says Lucy.

THE FRONT ROOM

The most striking room of all is the front room, a modern take on the formal seating room of the 1980s. Dark walls and salon art creates a moodier feel. It's an eclectic assortment of pieces. Such as the '50s Fler Chair and the grey and pink quartz side table sitting atop the rose plaid dhurrie, and the Seletti wears toiletpaper hand snakes mirror. 

"Our art collection is what really makes me happy. We have collected pieces from all over the world and from many artists and photographers we represent at Fenton & Fenton," says Lucy. "Art is like music for me. It transports me back to a moment in a time." 

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

The leafy streets and picture-perfect homes of Malvern are a veritable playground for families. In fact, it's hard to believe that these lush green neighbourhoods are a mere 20-minute drive from the city. What's not so hard to believe is that once the kids leave home, mum and dad tend to have no intention of following suit. It's the type of place where gardens are perfectly manicured, café culture reigns supreme, and a pet dog is essential.

Buzzing Glenferrie Road is the place to be for shopping, dining and mingling, whether it's indulging in sugary treats from one of the area's many patisseries or browsing for the latest in chic homewares. Meanwhile, a growing number of wine bars and fine dining options make evenings in Malvern and Malvern East an increasingly sophisticated affair.

SITCHU’S FAVOURITE MALVERN HANGOUTS

For breakfast: Saint Jaxie Cafe is an absolute must for a lazy weekend breakfast – especially in the courtyard when the sun is shining.

For brunch: With a brunch menu that tastes as good as it looks, 30 Mill is an absolute must.

For lunch: Inspired by New York’s old school delis, Stan’s Deli and Sandwiches is a lunchtime ritual.  

For dinner: When you’re craving a good shake with your burger and fries, Boy & Co hit the mark.

For drinks: Essie Wine Bar is a neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop. Cosy up next to a fireplace or settle into the courtyard. The choice is yours. 

PROJECT CREDITS

Interior Design: Fenton & Fenton
Architect: Tom Robertson
Photography: Eve Wilson
Words: Margaret Quilter