is proudly sponsored by:
• All visitors must be 13 years or older, proof of age must be provided on request • Photography, videos and sketching of any part of the houses, buildings, gardens and their contents are strictly prohibited. Any visitor who fails to comply with this condition will be requested to delete or destroy any prohibited images and may be asked to leave the property • No eating or drinking in the houses, buildings, gardens or buses • No smoking in the houses, buildings, buses, gardens or school grounds • Visitors must follow all instructions given by Open Houses staff • Visitors must observe all directions displayed on signage at the properties • Mobile phones must not be used while visiting properties.Visitors who need to take a phone call are requested to leave the properties while doing so • No handling of ornaments or photographs - do not touch anything! • If requested, visitors must remove their shoes before entering a house or building • At the property owners’ discretion, visitors may be refused entry • St. Joseph’s School Hawthorn, St. Joseph’s School Parents & Friends Association and each of the owners are not responsible for any injury, damage or loss caused by you while you are on the properties (including the houses, buildings and gardens) or buses. • Visitors enter properties at their own risk • No large bags • No entry to houses after 4.10pm • No pets Open Houses began as a heartfelt initiative by a dedicated group of parents determined to enhance St. Joseph’s School. Now in its 47th year, it has grown into a cherished tradition and a cornerstone event for both our school and the broader community. This extraordinary occasion offers a rare opportunity to experience five stunning private homes, each possessing its own historical, architectural and design significance - an experience made possible through the generosity of families who graciously open their homes in support of our school. Each year, our vibrant parent community comes together, contributing their expertise, energy and dedication to bring this event to life. What truly sets Open Houses apart is the unwavering commitment of parents, united by their belief in our community and their desire to enrich school life for our students. I extend my sincere gratitude to every parent involved, with special thanks to Mrs Jess Pattison, our Open Houses Coordinator, the Open Houses Committee, and Mr Peter Unkles, our Parents and Friends President, for their outstanding leadership. I am also deeply grateful to our local businesses, whose generosity has been instrumental in making this event possible. May you enjoy this special occasion in the life of St. Joseph’s. Thank you for your support and for joining us in celebrating 47 years of Open Houses. Mrs Sharon Kenyon-Smith Principal, St. Joseph’s Primary School Terms and conditions of entry: Welcome to Open Houses 2026 2
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4 ‘The Art of Flexible Living’ 17a Power Street, Hawthorn ‘A Crown Jewel of Architecture and Womens Education’ Tay Creggan, Strathcona Girls, 30 Yarra Street, Grammar, Hawthorn Campus for Year 9 ‘A Contemporary Sanctuary of Quiet Japanese-Inspired Living’ Sakura on Scotch Hill, 20 Berkeley Street, Hawthorn East ‘The House That Still Sings’ Fairview 1920 451 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong ‘Vivian Grove, c.1980s: The Quiet Art of Reinvention’ 4 Vivian Grove, Hawthorn - Open Houses simply wouldn’t be possible without the participation and generosity of our wonderful homeowners.We sincerely thank them for opening their extraordinary homes and making the event what it is today. Thank you Our curated collection of Homes for 2026:
17A POWER STREET The Art of Flexible Living A tour through this home poses an immediate contemporary question: If a home could inhale and exhale, would you notice its breath? And if you didn’t visit 17A Power Street during the 2026 Open House tour, would you truly understand what it feels like to live inside a home that moves with you… a house that expands, contracts, shifts, and adapts to the rhythm of life like a great architectural lung? Because this is more than a home. This is an experience… one that draws you in like a sensory fidget toy made large, an architectural ‘expandaball’ of timber, steel, glass, and ingenuity. A house that stretches open in generosity, folds inward in privacy, and reveals itself piece by piece, moment by moment, as though it were always waiting for you to arrive. From the street, 17A Power Street sits with an understated poise, quietly confident among Hawthorn’s grander historic neighbours. But its modesty is a misdirection. Behind the façade lies a residence that behaves nothing like a traditional home. This is a place designed not just to be lived in, but to be played with; a house that welcomes touch, interaction, fluidity, and a certain spirited curiosity that only expands with time. Built by Craig Rossetti and Rossetti Architects, masters of precision and craft, the home stands as a testament to what can be achieved when architecture, engineering, and art decide to dance. Every detail reflects a philosophy of movement, not dramatic gesturing, but considered unfolding. Corners melt into curves, doors dissolve into walls, spaces pivot and transform as though compelled by an invisible choreography. Nothing here is static. Everything is alive. The story of 17A Power Street begins, appropriately, with a strong sense of place. Nestled in one of Melbourne’s most historically rich pockets, the home was conceived as an urban sanctuary and a retreat from the hum of the city, yet a celebration of its energy. After the owners acquired the sizeable pocket of land on a busy Hawthorn road, they subdivided the site and sold off the extra space, which also included a large Victorian residence. The inspiration behind design sprang from the laneway that runs “A home that delights in transformation, breathing and reshaping itself around the rhythms of family life”
4 behind the old house with cobblestones and garage doors of neighbouring homes shaping the scale and texture of the new build. Step inside, and the house greets you with a slow reveal, much like the perfect fantasy novel. There’s a sense of progression; a journey from dark to light, from compression to openness. The low entryway, moody in its colourways, is marked by a generously proportioned pivot door, hinting at the expansiveness beyond. The entry corridor guides you forward with a gentle pull, an architectural inhale. And then: the exhale. The central living space opens like a blossoming flower, petals made of glass and timber sliding away to dissolve the boundary between inside and out. A 5-metre-high northern-facing void drenches the space in sunlight, courtesy of a structural curtain wall of steel and thermally broken double-glazed units fixed between roof panels. Ceilings soar, courtyards fold into living zones, and the house breathes. This is not a metaphor; it is a physical sensation. You feel the home stretch around you, as if welcoming whatever gathering, mood, or season you bring. The kitchen, timeless and sculptural, anchors the space. Silver travertine floor underfoot and rich timber cabinetry embracing the walls create a robust yet refined atmosphere. Stone benchtops run long and generous, inviting conversation, creativity, and effortless hosting. It is a theatre for connection, where the ritual of cooking becomes part of the home’s expanding performance. Continued over page 6 Photography by Kirsten Bresciani
The dining area sits beneath a sweep of natural light, a space that shifts with the time of day: morning glow filtering through landscaped greenery, afternoon shadows stretching softly across polished floors, and evenings illuminated by warm pendant light. The house feels different every hour, like a sundial designed for living. The lounge room’s soaring void height brings drama without demanding attention. It simply exists, serene and confident. Timber battens provide rhythmic softness, echoing the patterns of nature beyond the glass. The Rossetti craftsmanship is evident everywhere, in the lines that never falter, the joints that disappear and the serenity that arises from precision. Beyond the living spaces, the courtyard becomes the home’s quiet centre. Green pockets are slipped into the architecture like soft revelations, where stone, timber and foliage meet in effortless balance. Here, you realise the expansiveness of the house is not merely spatial but emotional, offering room to pause, breathe, and settle into its generous calm. The finishes throughout 17A Power Street echo this same intention. Materials are chosen with purpose: an earthy, tactile palette where warm timber, honed stone and brushed metal create a grounded, contemporary elegance. The kitchen is a beautifully resolved workspace and pairs bespoke cabinetry with integrated, energy-efficient appliances, all designed to keep visual noise to a minimum. Soft charcoals, warm greys and sandy tones carry through the home, mirroring the laneway’s bluestone and the shifting greens of the garden. Textured walls, refined joinery and stone underfoot add layers of quiet sophistication, allowing light, shadow and landscape to take centre stage in this thoughtfully composed home. The home’s four bedrooms, including a parents’ retreat with walk-in robe and ensuite are complemented by two living areas, a double garage, study and under stair cellar. Upstairs is the private children’s wing, with two bedrooms, entertaining space and bathroom, Photography by Kirsten Bresciani
floats above the garden with tree canopy views to the north and south. Every space is a testament to restraint and intention, reflecting Craig Rossetti’s commitment to creating a home that is both beautiful and enduring, designed for a family and even the household pet. Sustainability and environmental integration are key. Roof panels are separated with glass, allowing water to cascade visibly into the garden. The existing pool was reinvented as a 30,000-litre stormwater tank feeding the garden and new cisterns. A greywater system nourishes plantings, while double-glazed Viridian glass, R10-rated insulated walls, and cross-ventilation ensure year-round comfort. The architecture works with nature, not against it. Throughout the house, light is not simply an element; it is an inhabitant. Skylights become shifting artworks. Clerestory windows catch the sky like held breath. Tall windows act as invitations to the landscape. The house and the sun share a constant conversation. But perhaps the most striking aspect of 17A Power Street is not the design itself, but how it feels. Like a home that understands the chaos and beauty of family life. A home that expands when celebration demands it and contracts when peace is needed. A home that holds both silence and laughter with equal grace. The outdoor spaces continue this quiet brilliance. Garden zones provide places for contemplation, conversation, and play. With a secret orchard linking the house to the busy Power Street, making the most use of a compact walkway. The landscape architecture murmurs, never shouts. Rossetti’s construction details highlight the mastery behind the calm: extensive steel framing hidden from sight, intricate sliding door systems engineered to near silence, thermally broken glazing, and clever site use. Watching the transformation from compact footprint to spacious haven reveals the pure joy of construction meeting imagination. The house may feel simple, but simplicity is the greatest complexity of all. And yet, despite all its innovation, the home remains deeply human. It is a place for families, for laughter, for quiet coffee mornings, for evenings that stretch lazily into night. A place where the architecture moves like a companion. It is responsive, supportive and unobtrusive. 17A Power Street is both playful and profound. An expandaball made architectural. A home that delights in transformation. A home that breathes. It welcomes change without ever losing its centre, folding and unfolding around the shifting rhythms of those who live within it. Light drifts through the spaces like a familiar friend; rooms open, contract, and reshape themselves with an ease that feels almost intuitive. Children find corners to play, adults discover places to pause, and every visitor senses the gentle intelligence of a home designed to evolve. And if you are lucky enough to walk through it during Open Houses 2026, you will hear it. Not the sound of a falling tree, but the unmistakable whisper of a house alive. “A house that expands, contracts, and adapts to life’s rhythm like a great architectural lung” 6 8 6
Auctions, Sales & Leasing Consultancy & Advisory Asset Management COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SPECIALISTS gormancommercial.com.au Tom Maule Director & Auctioneer 0401 636 049 tmaule@gormancommercial.com.au
Perched regally atop a bluff, overlooking the Yarra River and its verdant surrounds, Tay Creggan (now Strathcona Girls Grammar Hawthorn Campus for Year 9) invites visitors into a world where architectural grandeur meets the enduring spirit of Melbourne’s educational heritage. For our 2026 Open Houses guests, this historic estate promises not just a tour, but an immersive experience: a journey through craftsmanship, history, and the celebration of women’s education across more than a century. Every step through its corridors reveals a story, every beam and window whispers of artistry, and every vista reminds us why this is one of Victoria’s most cherished Queen Anne Revival homes. Constructed in 1893 by the architect-builder Robert Guyon Purchas, Tay Creggan which is Scottish for “house built on a rock,” was inspired by an Italian chateau Purchas admired on his European travels in the 1870s. Though Purchas lost his fortune during the 1890s depression, and the house passed to the newlyweds Michael and Flora Spencer in 1897, his vision for a landmark residence endured. The Spencers commissioned modifications, transforming parts of the original plan to suit their needs, including replacing the intended orchestra gallery above the ballroom with six foundation pillars, traces of which remain visible in the cellar passageways today. The moment guests approach Tay Creggan, the commanding façade impresses with its rich asymmetry, turrets, terracotta roofs reminiscent of snake scales, and a mix of brick and stone that signals the Arts and Crafts ethos. Looking up from inside, the triple-domed ceilings of the former ballroom draw the eye A Crown Jewel of Architecture and Women’s Education TAY CREGGAN, STRATHCONA GIRLS GRAMMAR, HAWTHORN CAMPUS FOR YEAR 9 11
skyward, each dome adorned with leadlight glass: a repeated sun motif in the central dome and delicate floral motifs in the flanking domes.This layering of symbolism and craft is quintessential Arts and Crafts, reflecting the era’s celebration of hand-crafted detail, natural motifs, and a harmonious relationship between interior and exterior spaces. Tay Creggan’s design encourages visitors to pause, to look closely at each flourish… from the Fleur de Lys, dragons, and phoenix motifs etched and painted across ceilings and fireplaces, to the carved timber gargoyle heads framing the Scottish oak fireplace in the billiard room. Stepping through the front door, which is a masterpiece of hand-carved timber and intricate metal detailing - guests immediately sense the narrative of Tay Creggan unfold. Inside, the gracious hallway opens to the southern staircase, where a stained-glass window depicts a famous Scottish scene, allowing light to scatter in vibrant patterns into the floors below.This subtle orchestration of light and texture embodies the Arts and Crafts belief that architecture and artistry should entwine seamlessly, guiding the visitor’s gaze and experience. Now functioning as the Strathcona Girls Grammar school’s reception – it was once a typing classroom under the care of The Grail, a pioneering effort in women’s education in Melbourne. Its painted plaster ceiling, leadlight windows, and small offshoot rooms with whimsical pockets of light create a sense of discovery, making the space feel simultaneously historic and alive. Walking through Tay Creggan is to traverse time and style. Original timber doors with metal detailing, pressed-metal floral friezes, and copper accents reveal the care with which every material was chosen and executed. The copper family crest above the ground-floor fireplace, adorned with phoenix imagery, nods to the house’s lineage and the artistry of the Arts and Crafts movement. Architectural choices here are never merely ornamental; each reflects the philosophy of integrity, skill, and story. The original house was designed with functionality embedded in its luxury: original servant bells, a storeroom accessible via a trapdoor on the verandah, and hidden access beneath the main stairs offer fascinating glimpses into the operational elegance of a late-19th-century estate. The former ballroom, a jewel of the estate, once hosted orchestral performances for its “Tay Creggan is more than a house; it is a narrative of Melbourne’s architectural and educational evolution” Continued over page 12 Photography by Kirsten Bresciani
balls on its upper gallery. Today, it evokes the same drama and grandeur, its lofty proportions reminiscent of Harry Potter Gryffindor common room charm with timber-beamed, coffered, and warm carved detail celebrating human craftsmanship. The “peek-a-boo” window on the upper level allows glimpses of the Yarra River, the gum and oak canopy, and the expansive, historically curated gardens below, connecting the room to its landscape in the way Arts and Crafts architects intended: interior and exterior in continuous dialogue. Natural light pours through leadlight windows, creating a kaleidoscope effect that moves across the polished timber floors throughout the day. From the ballroom, the journey continues through a terracotta floored lightwell, a sunkissed space providing both transition and purpose. It connects the historic core to the industrial kitchen, now used for Strathcona Girls Grammar’s Year 9 food studies program. Adjacent, a sunroom with lounges and low seating offers year-round comfort, filled with light yet protected from Melbourne’s capricious weather and a quiet space for reading, study, or casual lunch gatherings, all while maintaining visual connection to the lush gardens and cascading gums that form the property’s signature outlook. The architectural journey continues to the Tudor-style assembly hall, an addition by The Grail during the house’s conversion into an educational institution. The hall’s hammerbeam roof and stainedglass windows echo medieval inspirations, while four-centred archways unify doorways, fireplaces, and entrance points into a cohesive visual rhythm. This space now accommodates Strathcona Girls Grammar assemblies, performances, and special events, with its enormous windows framing panoramic views of the river and gardens, a daily reminder that Tay Creggan’s design is in deep connection with nature. Throughout the estate, the gardens offer another dimension of artistry. Original pathways, a turf basketball court, checkers board and oval reveal a careful orchestration of space and leisure, while the pergola, originally laden with vines and colour, guides visitors’ eyes from formal garden to the expansive 1.5-acre vegetable plot. Mature palms, flame trees, oak, ash, and established gums echo the historical layering of plantings, creating a living tapestry that supports both reflection and exploration. The school’s wharf and kayaking and rowing sheds along the Yarra River, rare in Melbourne’s private education landscape, expand the estate’s reach and demonstrate the continuing evolution of Tay Creggan as a centre for both learning and life experience. The modern extension includes five classrooms, a science lab, and an art studio and all blend with the historic architecture without overwhelming it. High ceilings, natural light, and glimpses of leadlight windows maintain the dialogue between old and new. Here, the Strathcona Girls Grammar Envision program empowers Year 9 students to explore entrepreneurship, sustainability, critical thinking, and collaboration, reflecting the property’s enduring role in shaping the next generation of independent, confident young women. “In every timber beam and pane of leadlight glass, Tay Creggan whispers its enduring legacy” Photography by Kirsten Bresciani
The atrium, completed in 2000, and the learning lounge added in 2011, continue this tradition of thoughtful adaptation. Tay Creggan’s connection to the arts extends beyond architecture. The house has hosted celebrated visitors, including Anna Pavlova and the Ballets Russes in the 1930s, Princess Margaret in 1975 on her Royal Tour and in 2005, scenes from the Hollywood film Charlotte’s Web were filmed here. These moments reinforce the estate’s identity as a living stage where art, education, and history intersect, creating experiences that resonate far beyond its walls. Every corner, every doorway, every staircase invites our Open Houses guests to linger. The copper accents, hand-carved timber, and intricate leadlight windows are not merely decorative, they are touchstones to Melbourne’s cultural and educational evolution. Visitors can trace the story of women’s empowerment, from The Grail to today’s Year 9 Strathcona Girls Grammar students, through the very bones of this magnificent property. Tay Creggan champions the value of experiential learning, the importance of craftsmanship, and the beauty of a site where architecture and education coalesce. 12 halls, studied its gardens, and carried its lessons into the wider world. In this sense,Tay Creggan is both a historic monument and a living, breathing institution… a place where past, present, and future converge with elegance, intelligence, and heart. As guests reach the front hall once more, the view across the Yarra canopy and established gardens reinforces the property’s exceptional positioning. The sweeping drive, historically designed for both elegance and utility, guides visitors past mature trees and landscaped gardens, where every plant, pathway, and pergola is part of an enduring dialogue with the house. A rare treat for our 2026 Open Houses guests wandering through the corridors, stepping onto the sunlit verandas, or gazing through leadlight windows, Tay Creggan is more than a house, it is a narrative of Melbourne’s architectural evolution, the rise of women’s education, and the enduring capacity of a space to inspire, teach, and delight. It stands as a testament to craftsmanship, vision, and the power of place. In every timber beam, every pane of leadlight glass, and every hand-carved detail, Tay Creggan whispers its legacy. It reminds us that architecture is more than shelter - it is a canvas for human ambition, a stage for learning, and a living museum of cultural memory. Visitors leave not only with admiration for the house itself but with an appreciation for the generations of women who have walked its 14
Welcome to Open Houses 2026. Open Houses has been meticulously honed over 47 years, and we feel a deep responsibility to carry that tradition forward. In many ways, we are simply the custodians of this very special day. This event is powered by an extraordinarily talented and generous parent community. Your bus driver today may well be a pilot. The person politely asking you to mind the step might be an engineer, and your sandwiches, possibly made by an investment banker. But today, they are volunteers, here for you. While fundraising is, of course, the ultimate goal, our volunteer team is equally invested in the experience of the day itself. We have a genuine care for our guests and want everyone who joins us to feel welcomed and to leave having had a truly enjoyable day. We work within the limits of what a volunteer team can achieve, but like the children at St Joseph’s we have worked together to help each other succeed and do our best to make each year an event to be remembered. To Sharon, our principal, and the incredible teachers and staff of St Joseph’s, thank you. Your dedication to our very lucky children inspires us as parents to support the school as wholeheartedly as we can. To the homeowners of our extraordinary properties, thank you for putting your trust in us and opening your homes so graciously. Inviting hundreds of guests into your private spaces is no small gesture, and without your goodwill this event simply would not be possible. To the many businesses who support us through sponsorship and donations, we thank you for your generosity, which is the backbone of this event. And finally, to you, our guests, many of whom have been joining us for years and travelling from across Victoria and even Australia to attend, thank you. Your support makes a tangible difference to our school. The new Junior playground stands as joyful evidence of what this day can achieve. If you are feeling energetic, you might even like to test the monkey bars. They are, after all, here because of you. We hope you enjoy the day that our volunteer army has created, and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2027. Jess Pattison Open Houses Coordinator Mum to Mac (G5), Stevie (G3) & Paige (Prep) Thank you from the Open Houses Coordinator
This year we are proud to introduce our very first Open Houses souvenir, a beautifully illustrated keepsake tea towel designed by local artist and former St Joseph’s parent, Sam Iurada. Sam also runs the much-loved extracurricular art classes enjoyed by many of our current students, and her connection to our school community is woven thoughtfully into this piece. Her design captures the gentle meandering journey through our curated selection of homes, with St Joseph’s kept firmly at the heart of it all. While we wander through extraordinary spaces, it is our school community that brings us together. In a particularly meaningful gesture, Sam has dedicated this tea towel to our teachers and the incredible work they do every day for our children. Tea towels will be available for purchase on the day for $20 each, with limited quantities available - a beautiful keepsake of a much-loved event and a small way to honour the heart of our community. Sam Iurada is a self taught Australian abstract artist best known for her fluid interpretations of the Australian landscape. Her artistic journey began during her secondary studies, where she was recognised early for her talent and received the Rising Star Award from MAMA Gallery Albury at just 17 years old. Now based in Melbourne, Sam is known for her layered and expressive works on canvas and raw fabric. Working with blends of acrylics and inks, she explores the organic and uncontrolled patterns that emerge across the surface of her pieces. Her current practice examines the relationship between art and light as she develops painted installations from her inner city Melbourne studio. Sam has exhibited alongside many of the country’s leading artists and has showcased her work with respected art and interior retailers including Fenton and Fenton and Frey. Our Artist Series celebrates creativity and collaboration by spotlighting a different artist each year and offering a limited-edition product designed especially for our Open Houses event. About Sam Iurada 16
Building, renovating & extending homes in the inner East kristin@dlrprojects.com.au 0400 562 829 www.dlrprojects.com.au
There’s an understated serenity the moment you arrive at 20 Berkeley Street, Hawthorn - not in grand gestures, but in the sense that every element of the property has been placed with purpose. Perched on the gentle rise known locally as Scotch Hill, the residence distinguishes itself through quietly exceptional design, a close dialogue between interior and landscape, and an unmistakable feeling that the home was conceived to be lived with, not merely observed. Completed in 1988 for members of Melbourne’s Myer family, and later refined with contributions from architect and former premier Ted Baillieu, the home reflects a restrained yet meticulous architectural language. Its design resonates with echoes of traditional Japanese sensibilities, reminiscent of a Tea House’s contemplative calm and structural clarity, while remaining thoroughly contemporary, warm, and rooted in its own Hawthorn context. Every threshold, window, and sightline has been carefully considered, inviting a sense of measured flow and mindful experience. The first impression emerges long before the front door. Along the long driveway, mature plantings and established trees cultivate a sense of generous space that is understated yet unmistakable.The façade itself reads with quiet precision. Brick and stone are articulated to complement the home’s geometry and the soft rhythms of the surrounding garden. The roof’s shallow pitch and carefully composed lines suggest solidity and calm, with proportions that speak of architectural restraint rather than bravura. Stone walls flank the pebble-lined walkway, highlighted by soft pendant lighting that bathes the path in a warm yellow glow, welcoming guests with subtle elegance. Stepping inside, the foyer immediately reveals the home’s ethos. A domed ceiling above a generous volume suggest formality, yet filtered light creates warmth and a sense of restrained A Contemporary Sanctuary of Quiet Japanese-Inspired Living “An understated serenity where every element is placed with purpose and conceived to be lived with” SAKURA ON SCOTCH HILL, 20 BERKELEY STREET, HAWTHORN
hospitality. A pink marble round table provides a central anchor, hinting at the delicate palette that threads through the interior. Materials, angles, and thresholds are orchestrated to unfold naturally, guiding visitors from one experience to the next, each space subtly distinct yet part of a continuous narrative. The formal sitting room is centred around a fireplace with timber detailing that is understated but confident. A Monet-Esque painting reflects the lily pads floating just outside, visually extending the garden into the room and creating a sense of calm continuity. Here, modern art punctuates the pink palette of soft furnishings, including whimsical sphere light fittings and freestanding lamps that provide a playful counterpoint to the serene backdrop. The geometry, proportions, and balance of light and shadow reveal a disciplined restraint, favouring clarity and harmony over theatricality. A lounge and dining area continue this narrative,where openness and intimacy coexist. Expanses of glass ensure that the garden views are an inseparable part of the interior, while sightlines are framed with deliberation. A formal dining room overlooks the koi-filled pond, its geometric sphered pendant lighting echoing the soft pink tones found throughout the home, creating continuity between interiors and gardens. Koi in Japanese culture symbolize perseverance, courage, and good fortune, qualities that infuse the home with a subtle symbolic presence as visitors move along the pathways and across the stepping stones that bridge spaces. The kitchen, with its broad stone-topped island, serves as both a practical workspace and a social anchor. Premium appliances and carefully considered cabinetry complement the home’s compositional elegance, while sightlines to the garden ensure that everyday living remains intimately connected to the 20 Continued over page Photography by Kirsten Bresciani
outdoors. Adjacent, the family room opens onto a deck and pool, where water and greenery dissolve boundaries between inside and out. Even on overcast days, the seamless transition invites extended living, while sunlit afternoons bring the garden into harmony with the home’s relaxed, sophisticated interior. Throughout, the design is quietly confident. Stone, timber, and glass are articulated with simplicity rather than spectacle. Fireplaces provide warmth and texture; expanses of glazing connect to the garden without distraction; and floors bathed in gentle light subtly guide the journey through each room. Private spaces are no less thoughtfully considered. The Master suite provide generous accommodation, builtin robes, and an ensuite that feels calm and composed. The upstairs guest suite in particular frames verdant garden vistas from its balcony, while the downstairs suite offers a private sanctuary oriented toward the landscape. Secondary bedrooms are arranged with practical elegance, maintaining daylight, warm finishes and views. It is outside, however, that the property fully reveals its Japanese-inspired soul. The pond, central to the garden’s choreography, is home to koi whose presence embodies serenity, perseverance, and good fortune. Stone steppers arch across the pond, providing both a literal and metaphorical bridge between the formal and informal areas of the home. Soft water sounds from the pond merge with the gentle movement of drapes, creating a sensory rhythm that enhances reflection and repose. Japanese maples hover over the water, their delicate leaves tracing seasonal shifts, while weeping cherries placed in thoughtful vistas evoke the fleeting beauty celebrated in Sakura festivals. Beyond the pond, a Zen garden unfolds, defined by large boulders, sand, and stepping stones. This garden, inspired by centuries of Japanese design, represents a microcosm of the universe, where each stone and sand pattern reflects planets and celestial order. Zen gardens are meant to cultivate contemplation, mindfulness, and an appreciation for the impermanence of life - a philosophy evident in the careful positioning of each boulder, the raked sand, and the surrounding greenery. Here, the garden serves as a living meditation, reinforcing the home’s sense of harmony and purposeful design. The property accommodates both private repose and family activity. Adjacent outdoor spaces include a pool, half-court basketball area, and a golf putting green, ensuring that leisure and play coexist seamlessly with contemplative spaces. Walkways connect formal and informal areas, maintaining the visual language established in the interiors while guiding movement with natural rhythm. The interplay of soft greens, pinks, and purples continues outdoors, echoing interior pops of colour from artwork, light fittings, and furnishings. A massage chair faces the pond, providing moments of pause and reflection. Purple marble fireplaces, built-in bookshelves, and a cocktail coffee bar lend both function and “A layered dialogue between architecture and landscape, honouring contemplation, harmony, and quietly confident design”
visual delight, harmonising with the interior’s waves of pink, purple, and modern art. Drapes flow across windows, framing gardens and Zen spaces while softening light, enhancing comfort, and maintaining continuity across the property. The home’s architectural narrative is further reinforced through its circulation. Formal rooms yield naturally to more relaxed spaces, while sightlines shift from pond to interior in a continuous visual dialogue. Light, texture, and proportion are orchestrated so that each passage through the house feels deliberate, rewarding visitors with subtle but cumulative discoveries. Practicality has been addressed without compromise to design integrity. A triple car garage with driveway parking,multiple fireplaces, and a suite of functional rooms including study, laundry, and powder areas integrate seamlessly with the home’s composition. These spaces maintain the aesthetic cohesion while supporting contemporary family life, ensuring that comfort and beauty are equally attended to. The property’s position on one of Hawthorn’s most esteemed streets ensures lifestyle convenience. Cafés and boutiques along Glenferrie Road, efficient transport options, and access to highly regarded schools complement the architectural experience, confirming the address as both a distinguished and liveable home. Yet what distinguishes 20 Berkeley Street is less any single feature than the care taken in every transition, proportion, and sightline. Rooms, gardens, and walkways create a layered experience that rewards observation and participation alike. It is a residence that privileges subtlety, reflection, and human-scaled rhythm above ostentation, offering an intimate dialogue between architecture, landscape, and daily life. For guests visiting during the 2026 Open Houses, 20 Berkeley Street offers more than visual delight. It provides moments of quiet reflection inspired by Japanese aesthetics: the perseverance and good fortune symbolized by koi, the contemplative order of the Zen garden, and the seasonal poetry of maples and cherry blossoms. Visitors are invited to experience not only the architecture and design but also the philosophical layering embedded in its conception. 20 Berkeley Street exemplifies considered design, from the interplay of stone, timber, and glass to the thoughtful sequencing of rooms and gardens. It combines artistry, comfort, and symbolism, demonstrating how architecture can enrich life without ever shouting for attention. For the 2026 Open Houses, this home offers visitors a rare opportunity: to walk through a residence where each detail has meaning, every space contributes to a greater whole, and both interior and exterior inspire contemplation, joy, and a quiet sense of equilibrium. Here, on Scotch Hill, the serene ponds, stepping stones, Zen gardens, and carefully curated vistas create a layered experience, framed by the playful elegance of pinks and purples, the solidity of stone, and the warmth of timber. The home stands not merely as a property to admire, but as an immersive environment that honours the human desire for beauty, contemplation, and harmonious living. 22 Photography by Kirsten Bresciani
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451 GLENFERRIE ROAD, KOOYONG If walls could sing, the walls of 451 Glenferrie Road, affectionately known as Fairview - would hum rich baritones and gentle soprano lines that drift through its gardens and layered spaces. Set behind a gracious façade framed by mature Ficus Hilli Flash hedging and a sweep of lush lawn, this 1920 Federation-era residence once reverberated with the sounds of practice, performance, and pedagogy. It stands today as a true testament to its long and melodic history as the former home of one of Australia’s enduring musical institutions. As you step across the garden threshold, the lush green knoll and softly sculpted boundary create an immediate sense of calm privacy, beckoning you inward to explore, much like the opening bars of a beloved score.Towering gums from neighbouring Kooyong Gardens frame the scene, a prelude to the architectural narrative that unfolds heritage, artistry, and family life in harmonious balance. Once the campus of the Australian Guild of Music which was a tertiary music education provider established in Melbourne in 1969 with an international footprint - ‘Fairview’ still carries echoes of its scholarly past. Though the Guild’s mission was global, with online and on-campus instruction in performance, composition and musical education, the soul of this Kooyong residence remains palpably rooted in these walls. The 1920 façade, formally decorated with soft peach hues, has been meticulously restored and reframed by the current owners over three years of dedicated renovation. The heritage restoration and contemporary adaptations have been woven seamlessly together with black-and-white chequered tiles on the front patio, and the contrasting shutters and walls – a nod not only to Federation porch traditions but to the black and white of piano keys, connecting the house’s musical lineage. Where instruments were once delivered via a long driveway and side loading dock (hinted by the timber fence), the space has now been thoughtfully reimagined as the master suite’s private courtyard, outdoor drying area, and laundry. A rear car and pedestrian access gate, ideal for young families, bikes, and deliveries, provides an alternative entry point to the Glenferrie Road frontage, leading directly into the storage room and kitchen. This transformation preserves the functional spirit of its former loading dock, adapted seamlessly for modern living. There is a beautiful harmony in the bones of this home as its Federation pre-war heritage meets contemporary luxury, dividing private Fairview, 1920: The House That Still Sings Note: This property is currently for sale and listed with Kay & Burton, for further information call Andrew Sahhar on 0417 363 358.
colour and joy, while all fireplaces have been restored, brought within five years of their original design, and whisper of winter evenings warmed by both firelight and conversation. Here, Federation articulation with wide hallways, gracious entrances, ornate fittings, celebrates an era where space and formality were designed to be lived in with ease. Soft drapes frame elegant windows, inviting light in and choreographing a gentle dance of shade and warmth across the refined interiors. In the sitting room, a sculptural Impala head presides alongside evocative photographs of Krakow and Berlin, and a commanding statue of a Polish poet Janusz Korczak. Korczak was a Polish-Jewish educator, children’s author, and pioneer of children’s rights whose stories and writings for young people remain deeply embedded in Polish culture. and public spaces with intuitive clarity. That harmony continues in the careful continuity of materials very subtly adjusted between zones, so you always sense where you are, and which era is quietly singing. Engaging with the Stonnington Historical Society, the owners have-reinstated architectural features true to the 1920s Federation style, honouring both tradition and individuality. The result is a residence that feels lovingly restored, yet luxuriously alive. The front of house speaks of memory - from the formal sitting room that opens onto the front patio for afternoon reflection, to the grand hallway lined with herringbone timber floors, heritage skirtings, cornices and ceiling roses, the house speaks of a gracious era of design. A striking piece by Berlin artist Marylene Madon animates the entrance hall with birds and florals of These artistic choices celebrate the owner’s heritage as much as they evoke the house’s layered history and a bridge between past narrative and present personality. Passing beneath a dramatic black arch which is affectionately known as the threshold to the modern, its depth a lyrical gesture in itself, the narrative of the home shifts, ushering you into a space of architectural evolution. Here, the heritage’s soft contours yield to modern geometry, polished lines, and expansive volumes. The living, dining, and kitchen areas unfold with cinematic breadth, their open plan accommodating both tranquil family moments and lively gatherings. Formerly six separate rooms, including a small performance amphitheatre, this zone has been entirely reimagined. The kitchen and living–dining space, crowned by a theatrical atrium that pours light across the interiors, frames a lush green Japanese maple - the star of the home’s performance. “Shifting light renders each moment distinct, like a movement in a concerto” 22 Continued over page 26 Photography by Kirsten Bresciani
The front formal rooms speak in quieter but equally compelling tones including the deep green study or cigar room, the soft pink Tuscan limestone powder room adorned with Catherine Martin floral wallpaper (a nod to the owner’s love of film), and the unadorned hallway walls that allow the graciousness of the Federation architecture to speak for itself. The master bedroom offers acoustically supreme privacy, leading to a generous walkin robe and ensuite. These serene, refined spaces form a sequence of retreat and pause. The master suite is a private downstairs sanctuary in its own right, a space defined by tranquillity and texture. A quiet courtyard looks toward Kooyong garden’s gums and leafy canopy, while French doors open to summer breezes. Travertine-textured surfaces, twin showers, and an oversized egg bathtub combine the tactile with the timeless, echoing the thoughtful design threads woven throughout the house and archways for luxurious living. Double and triple glazing ensures peace and quiet, a quietude that feels earned and a counterpoint to the building’s life in sound and instruction. The walk-in robe, with its generous proportions and timber veneer centrepiece, sets the tone for how everyday luxury meets practical elegance here. The atrium, with its central Japanese maple, bathes the home in shifting light throughout the day, rendering each moment distinct, like a movement in a concerto. This atrium was conceived not just for beauty but for balance, and to draw sunlight deep into the heart of the home, where art and architecture collaborate in quiet dialogue. Custom artworks adorn the walls with custom timber panelling creating moments and bursts of colour with the “The atrium frames a lush green Japanese maple - the home’s star” 27 Photography by Kirsten Bresciani
changing position of the sun. The extended atrium eaves allow the doors to remain open even in the rain, letting the scent of petrichor drift gently into the home. Italian Carrara marble finds pride of place at thresholds, the hearth and throughout the sculptural kitchen island bench, which asserts itself as an artistic monolith. The kitchen’s asymmetrical design adds a modern verse to the formal chorus of the front rooms. The sunken courtyard and outdoor dining space opens like a private amphitheatre - elegant, serene, and complete. Bluestone paving and irrigated gardens continue the narrative of crafted calm, while raised timber planters keep the perimeter greenery visible from within, framing nature as an ever-present companion to daily life. Don’t miss the grassy passage running along the side of the house, equally suited to a leisurely stroll or a perfectly aimed cricket bowl. A clever addition by the owners that extends the garden footprint right to the rear fence. Organic cotton drapes cascade along generous windows, inviting breath and breeze into the living spaces, whilst the outdoor green expanse is lovingly tended, shaped and offers room for play, repose, and entertaining under open skies. Take a look up the stairwell and notice the generous insulation gap, a physical echo of the building’s acoustic legacy -70cm gap between floors! Travertine, used throughout baths and the cellar, anchors the home in enduring materiality, while the dramatic original century old saloon doors house the cellar off the second kitchen- a theatrical flourish worthy of its storied past. The secondary kitchen, generous laundry, and hidden service spaces speak of a home designed for living, for play, hospitality, retreat, and every nuance in between. Access from the storage area directly to Kooyong Gardens adds a note of functionality for entertainers and deliveries, and reminiscent of its former usage. Fairview is more than a residence; it is a symphony of history, design, craft, and evolution. Built in 1920 and reimagined with care and courage, it honours its past as a place of music education and communal gathering, even as it leaps forward as a family home filled with life, art, and possibility. Here, heritage and modernity do not compete, they converse. Every room feels composed yet spontaneous, much like a powerful performance - and every visitor, like an audience drawn in by its grace. In the heart of Kooyong, this home does more than simply stand. It’s past hums softly. Its century old character has been renewed and reimagined for the next hundred years, and it endures. 28
If houses could reinvent themselves, our 2026 Open Houses Vivian Grove home has done so, not with dramatic transformation, but with the quiet assurance of careful editing. Set among the leafy streets of Hawthorn in Melbourne’s inner east, this modest c.1980s double-brick residence has been thoughtfully reconsidered by architect Dom Cerantonio, co-founder of Cera Stribley. 4 VIVIAN GROVE, HAWTHORN Vivian Grove, c.1980s: The Quiet Art of Reinvention The result is a home that reveals something often overlooked within suburban architecture: the quiet potential of what already exists. Where many houses of this era might be stripped back or replaced entirely, the renovation of thisVivian Grove residence takes a different path. Rather than erasing the past, the project embraces reinvention through refinement. It is a house shaped by subtraction, adjustment, and gentle recalibration, an architectural composition created by working carefully with the original structure rather than against it. From the street, mature greenery frames the approach, and the house retains the familiar silhouette of late-twentieth-century suburban design. Yet the façade has been subtly transformed. The once dark red brick exterior has been unified through a softly textured rough-cast render supplied by Rockcote, lending the house a contemporary clarity while preserving its original silhouette. The surface catches shifting daylight throughout the day, reflecting the tones of surrounding foliage and softening what was once a heavier façade. The gesture is restrained but deliberate. It signals the philosophy guiding the entire renovation: transformation not through replacement, but through thoughtful reinvention.
For Cerantonio, the starting point was not what needed to be removed, but what deserved to remain. “There was a lot to love about the original house,” he reflects. The solid double-brick construction offered durability and thermal stability, while the split-level planning introduced natural variation within the interior spaces. Perhaps most importantly, the house already possessed a north-facing courtyard - a rare and valuable feature that allowed sunlight to reach deep into the centre of the home. These elements became the foundations upon which the reinvention of the house would unfold. Like many houses built in the 1980s, however, the interior carried the unmistakable hallmarks of its era. Formal rooms were generously proportioned but seldom used. Circulation between spaces felt slightly disjointed, and the relationship between indoors and outdoors remained tentative. Carpet softened every surface, concealing the architectural bones beneath. Rather than dismantle the structure entirely, Cera Stribley approached the house with a light but decisive hand. What worked was retained. What did not was gently reconsidered. The resulting changes are subtle yet transformative. One of the most significant transformations begins with the reimagining of the original formal dining room. Once open but underutilised, this space has been enclosed and reinterpreted as a flexible rumpus room - a place where children can gather, play, and retreat. In time, the room may evolve again, transforming into a quiet home office or studio as the needs of the household change. “Transformation not through replacement, but through thoughtful reinvention” This adaptability is central to the philosophy of the renovation. Elsewhere, the relocation of the laundry creates another moment of quiet reinvention. Previously positioned alongside the main bedroom, the laundry has been moved closer to the kitchen, where its presence supports the practical rhythms of daily life. In doing so, valuable space has been freed on the upper level, allowing the creation of a generous and tranquil master suite. These changes may appear modest, yet together they alter the way the house moves. Each decision is guided by a simple but revealing question: how can the house support the everyday flow of family life? To further strengthen the functionality of the home, a butler’s pantry and powder room have been introduced alongside the kitchen. 30 Continued over page Photography by Martina Gemmola
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