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Madelin Tomelty

Achieving ‘functional beauty’ was the goal for interior designer Terri Shannon, hired to convert an Art Deco-influenced bungalow in Melbourne

Terri Shannon, Melbourne-based interior designer and founder of Bloom Interior Design, has been in the business for over 15 years, and one look at the elegant and opulent renovation project she executed in Williamstown is evidence of her expertise. Brimming with style, a seamless hybrid of classic and contemporary design has created a warm and inviting home that is a far cry from its Art Deco history.

Starting again

The homeowners’ style brief was easy to work with, according to Terri. “They had a classic contemporary taste, and also liked a bit of the French-provincial look,” she says. They also made it very clear that the house needed to be completely functional for their family of four, which includes two young daughters.

Add in the sheer volume of work that needed to be done to the house, and the project was not without its challenges. “The clients wanted an overall renovation to the whole house, including panelling the halls, installing new floorboards and carpet throughout, new window furnishings, and new joinery throughout including in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and bedrooms,” says Terri. “I found it rather challenging working within the existing footprint of the home. It was done originally by an architect many years ago, and was quite deco inspired. In the back area of the house in particular the ceiling was raked in some parts, and we had to work to rectify these shapes to make it look more classic.”

Today, you would never know it. The Art Deco footprint is nowhere to be found, and in its place are traditional, elegant and stylish features that create a cohesive design story that plays out from room to room. The overhauled bungalow is luxe yet relaxed, contemporary yet provincial – simply put, it’s beautiful.

Inspiration strikes Inspiration for this refined home came from taking “a fairly classic design approach,” according to the designer. “I took inspiration from the home’s existing features, and really wanted to enhance those,” she says, and the design theme of classic-meets-contemporary can be seen all over the house. The kitchen and dining area is perhaps the best example of the stylistic hybrid, and is also the room Terri likes most. “The kitchen is my favourite area, she says. “I love the large black island bench mixed with a beautiful marble, and the area has an abundance of natural light.” Its dark wooden floorboards mirror the depth and style of the black bench, while the upholstered dining chairs bring the classic, timeless style reference to the forefront of the room.

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