Amy Wood

We can’t get enough of Eltham’s incredible mid-century houses, which consistently rate among the most popular home stories on The Design Files!

Lucienne and Sebastian Van Sebille thought the glowing reviews of this suburb (located 20 kilometres north-east of Melbourne’s CBD) must be exaggerated, but after moving here in mid 2020, they can confirm it’s truly as magical as they say! 

The couple’s rental property is an Alistair Knox-designed 1970s house that remains as solid and beautiful as the day it was built. 

After 10 years living in Thornbury and Coburg, the True North chef and trade manager at Pop and Scott are relishing their new life among the trees, while getting to know the longstanding locals (alpacas, horses, donkeys and kookaburras among them!).

Most people probably wouldn’t inspect a house that reminds them of a David Lynch film and say, ‘Sign me up!’, but most people aren’t Jake Cassar and Naomi Jankowski! 

Over the past seven years, the couple have welcomed their two children, and completed significant renovations to their incredible Melbourne house inspired by Palm Springs and David Hockney (check out that pool!). 

The best design projects tend to result from a complete sense of trust between client and designer. Case in point –  this ‘Sanctuary’ home by Tamsin Johnson!

The celebrated Sydney-based interior designer was engaged by her sister to transform and update an outdated, two-storey family house in South Yarra. With total trust, Tamsin’s sister gave her full creative licence. An interior designer’s dream come true!

The Sanctuary home is just one of the gorgeous spaces featured in Tamsin’s stunning new book, Spaces for Living.