Scott Gibson and Poppy Garbin, owners and directors of furniture and lighting workshop Pop and Scott, were searching for a new family house in 2017 when they discovered this Dromana property for lease. Poppy had never even been to the Mornington Peninsula before the inspection, but the home’s raked timber ceilings, split-level living area, and beautiful brickwork proved too good to pass up.
‘Another big drawcard were the huge tree ferns, a winter creek, and a stunning banksia that sweeps through the backyard,’ says Poppy.
After a year of renting the home, the couple went on to buy the property in 2018. Since then, Poppy and Scott have slowly updated the two-storey home to be slightly more contemporary and light-filled. Solid blackbutt flooring has been installed, the kitchen has been updated, windows and doors have been replaced, and the garage has been converted into an extra bedroom. Meanwhile, the lower storey of the home was renovated to include a kitchen and bathroom, allowing this to operate as a self-contained studio.
Walls inside and out were painted with Dulux Hog Bristle Half, while the Dulux COLORBOND® Woodland Grey roof blends in with the surrounding trees.
Significant work has also been undertaken in the garden, which neighbours say was originally spectacular. It wasn’t until clearing out the creek one weekend that Poppy and Scott discovered a hand-built natural pool, lined with stone lost over the years! ‘Since they sold it no one had maintained the stunning gardens. By the time we got it the original magic was lost,’ Poppy says. ‘We have done so much work bringing back parts of the original gardens and tweaking bits along the way.’
Naturally, the home has been furnished mostly with Pop and Scott pieces, and handmade works by friends. These items all beautifully complement the original ‘80s features, from the exposed brick fireplace to the slate-tiled bathroom with a circular tub.
This renovation is a testament to what can be done in an existing space. In respecting the original design, Poppy and Scott have created a magical, one-of-a-kind home that future owners will hopefully respect for generations.
After 20 years on the east coast, Poppy, Scott and their children Frida (7) Lou (5), and Veda (2), have decided to relocate to Poppy’s home state of Western Australia, which means this incredible home is for sale. (Don’t worry; the Northcote Pop and Scott showroom isn’t going anywhere!) If you’re the lucky buyer of this home, please invite us over!
Rainbow dining chairs, Lou Alto dining table and Venus light shades from Pop and Scott. Vintage leather chairs from Castorina & Co. Artwork above fireplace by Bec Smith. Vintage Moroccan rug from Etsy. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
From left to right: Scotty with Lou on his lap, Frida, Veda and Poppy. Artworks by the kids! Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Bell Weaver and Day Bed by Pop and Scott. Rug by Pampa. Artwork by Bobby Clark. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Bell Weaver, Day Bed, Dreamer Armchair and Ngoho Coffee table by Pop and Scott. Artwork on left wall by Petrina Bedford. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Light floods into the belly of the house from end to end. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Angelucci couch. Photography artwork by Lisa Sorgini. Rug is a vintage Turkish kilim from eBay. Pot planter on coffee table by Amy Leeworthy. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
The kitchen floats above the dining room. Akari light sculpture from Noguchi shop. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Akari light sculpture from Noguchi shop. Limestone sculpture by Jessica Tremp. Sardine timber carving by Marion Scott. Fruit bowl by Amy Leeworthy. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Rainbow dining chairs, Lou Alto dining table and Venus light shades from Pop and Scott. Vintage leather chairs from Castorina & Co. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Rainbow dining chairs, Lou Alto dining table and Venus light shades from Pop and Scott. Vintage leather chairs from Castorina & Co. Large artwork by Dane Lovett. Small Wandjina artwork by Petrina Bedford. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
The epic bath! Shell planter by Amy Leeworthy. Shell sculpture a gift from Poppy’s mum. Vintage Moroccan rug. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Dreamer Couches and Lowrider Coffee Table by Pop and Scott. Blue artwork by Bobby Clark. Akari light sculptures from Noguchi shop. Limestone sculpture on side table by denHolm. Hanging rug from Pampa. The Cylinder light prototype in the corner is by Pop + Scott (but was never released!). Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Dreamer Couches and Lowrider Coffee Table by Pop and Scott. Blue artwork by Bobby Clark. Akari light sculptures from Noguchi shop. Limestone sculpture on side table by denHolm. Hanging rug from Pampa. The Cylinder light prototype in the corner is by Pop + Scott (but was never released!). Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Paper lantern from Pop and Scott. Vintage Indian door decoration from St Andrews market. Handmade and painted mermaid doll by Alice Mcintosh. Vintage bedspread. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
A collection of treasures from various travels. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Two artworks on the right by Nell Pearson. Sun sculpture by Amy Leeworthy. Stripe bedding from Pan After. Planter from Anchor Ceramics. Akari light sculpture. Photo – Caitlin Mills.
How epic is the exterior of this stilted, sun-drenched house?! Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Poppy and Scott did the landscaping themselves. Facade paint Dulux Hog Bristle Half. Roof paint Dulux COLORBOND® Woodland Grey Photo – Caitlin Mills.
Facade paint Dulux Hog Bristle Half. Wooden handles made by Scotty. The couple sourced established ferns for the garden from Gumtree! Photo – Caitlin Mills.
