Katie Graham’s Happy Home
Photographer: Derek Swalwell
Stylist: Rachel Vigor
Source: Inside Out
We’re loving the shiny, happy home of The Family Love Tree founder Katie Graham and her husband Jason, featured in Inside Out. A seven week cosmetic renovation transformed the Caulfield, VIC, house from being an over the top “quite Liberace” 70’s tragic to a family haven that strikes a gorgeous balance between hippy chic and contemporary elegance.
Katie and Jason love mid-century design and were originally looking for another Ernest Fooks house – nearly buying one around the corner. “Then we found this house and, though it’s built in 1972, it still has the ’60s style we like. I loved the flat roof and the high ceilings, its ‘squareness’ and all the light that flooded in. It also had a pool and a great layout that didn’t need any structural changes,” explains Katie.
The original single level brick bungalow featured a marble entrance, patterned wallpaper and gold chandeliers. Some of the original light fittings, the marble entry and most of the timber cabinetry were retained, but overall; “We needed to tone it down,” says Katie with a laugh. The couple could see the potential behind the dated glitz and have now created the home of their dreams.
The parquetry floors and the view of the gardens from every room dictated the colour palette. Katie wanted her home to feel warm and earthy, so she chose teal, olive green and tobacco tones, mixed with a bit of gold. “We have a lot of brightly coloured art, so I kept everything tonal so it pops out,” she explains.
The finished home is as impressive as it is welcoming and homely, remarkable given the extremely tight timeframe allocated to the project.
“When I walk through the front door, I feel a sense of comfort because I am in my space, one I’ve created for me and my family,” says Katie. “It’s still a very cosy home and there’s nothing here that is too precious that the kids can’t touch. We’re all very busy during the week, so at weekends we like to relax at home, either as a family or with friends. We often have big Sunday lunches and pool parties in the summer. We’re very house proud and welcome friends and family into our home.”
You can view the full story and see more images of this beautiful home here on Inside Out Magazine
