A Mauve and Teal Kitchen Sets the Tone in This Moody Melbourne Home

Bed Threads founder Genevieve Rosen-Biller takes us inside the homes of Australia’s top designers and creatives. 

When it came time to renovate and redecorate her mid-century modern home in Melbourne, Ilana Moses approached the process in the same way she curates her fashion boutique, Grace: by focusing on unique silhouettes, investing in unusual materials, and adding a few bold statement pieces—even if they raise eyebrows. 

“Don’t choose things just because they’re classic or resellable, or because your friend has them,” says Moses, who tried to stay true to her sense of style when choosing finishes and furniture. Here, quirky vintage finds in splashy colors and look-at-me shapes set the tone. Wallpaper replaces paint in almost every room: Gray Arte Heliodor Cube motifs add subtle texture in the dining room, teal Texturae creates faux architectural detail in the study, and a hand-painted French design gives the powder room a touch of the tropics. Take a look inside the space and hear, in Moses’s own words, how she never shied away from taking bold risks.

On Embracing the Home’s Heritage

Overall, we wanted to play tribute to the home’s mid-century-modern roots without feeling like we were living in a time machine. Mashing up periods and styles was part of the fun! We chose materials that had a sense of authenticity, the ability to patina over time, and a richness to them. I also didn’t want everything “done” the minute we moved in. We wanted to shape the rooms and layer details over time. 

On Taking Risks

I see every wall and surface as an opportunity to add some texture and moodiness, so the only thing I was worried about was whether we went far enough with our choices. I wanted to avoid obvious choices when it came to colors, so I went for ink-navy leather instead of classic tan in the banquette area, and chose lavender and green rather than all white in the kitchen. As much as the shades are “riskier,” I still think they are classic pairings that are very easy to live with. I love adding something unexpected to throw things off, too, like the hot pink Jonny Niesche painting in the kitchen. 

On Her Favorite Marble Moment

I absolutely love marble—the more interesting the better! Our architect chose the mauve countertop stone in the kitchen. The color was exactly what I was looking for, but we needed to see the marble a few times in order to really embrace the detailed veining. We’re so happy we went with it. It’s really impactful yet serene at the same time.

On the Antidote to White Walls

The floor-to-ceiling headboard was a collaborative effort. I definitely didn’t want blank walls or above-the-bed art, and I love the warmth this material exudes; it really cocoons the space. The custom-designed panels accommodate our matte white sconces, too. 

See more home tours: Madelynn Furlong’s Little Slice of Paris in Los Angeles A 60-Foot-Long Rainbow Rug Captures the Pure Joy of This Maine Home This Philly Home Takes Gallery Walls to an Unparalleled Level