Stylish living room with a modern chandelier, marble fireplace, and large window with shutters
The totems by Clementine Maconachie and the Piega mirror by Victoria Wilmotte bring a sense of playfulness to the formal living room where the Ploum sofa by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset and a green conversation armchair by Antonio Citterio from the Hermes Maison Collection are an invitation to sit.

January 27, 2026

Words: Karine Monié

Photography: Shannon McGrath

A Historic Façade Gives Way To An Artful Home In Melbourne

From the exterior, this historic Federation-style residence—originally built in 1912 and designed by Augustus Fritsch—gives little hint of the vibrant world within. “The architecture celebrates the era with its soaring 11.8-foot ceilings, articulated plaster cornices, stained glass windows, ornate architraves and generous room proportions,” says designer Swee Lim who curated the interior. Inside, she opted for a bold, expressive color palette and an eclectic collection of art, sculptural furniture, custom lighting and design objects, all meticulously chosen to create visual impact. “The challenge was to balance the formality of the original rooms with the expressive, contemporary tone the clients wanted,” Lim remembers.

Located in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, the three level-house comprises a contemporary extension from a later renovation. “The interplay between old and new became the foundation for the interior direction,” Lim says. Throughout the home, a color story unfolds, moving from calm to saturated tones: A warm grey adorns the original rooms, while the new wing features layered blues with accents of pink, burgundy, and bronze. “Color here is not trend-driven—it is purposeful, linked to artwork, materiality, and mood,” Lim says.

Swee Design Injects Color Into This Historic Melbourne Home

Stylish living room with a modern chandelier, marble fireplace, and large window with shutters
The totems by Clementine Maconachie and the Piega mirror by Victoria Wilmotte bring a sense of playfulness to the formal living room where the Ploum sofa by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset and a green conversation armchair by Antonio Citterio from the Hermes Maison Collection are an invitation to sit.

A combination of marble, brass, timber, velvet, linen, leather, and hand-woven tapestries bring a sense of softness and tactility to the residence, which has been transformed into a living gallery. “I love curating homes that have personality and a point of difference,” Lim adds. From a large-scale textile piece by Mexican studio Caralarga and the light blush totems by artist Clementine Maconachie to the graphic horse-head artwork by Stephen Glassborow and multi-color Slinky rug by Patricia Urquiola, every element contributes to an immersive experience. “In this home, nothing is precious for the sake of it,” Lim says. “Everything is meant to be used, sat on, and lived with.”

Inside A Melbourne Home Embracing Tactility + Color

entryway with sculptural art hanging on both sides
Both sculptural and colorful with the Denholm console table and Emma Davies fibre artwork on the wall, the entrance sets the tone for the rest of the spaces.
Modern living room with a soft blue armchair on a patterned blue rug and wall art with textured elements
Textures were introduced throughout the home to create a cozy and warm atmosphere for family life.
Modern dining room with a black round table, blue chairs, and pink flowers in a teal vase
In the dining area, a bespoke custom-made glass pendant light is placed about the Concorde round table by Poliform.
Cozy bedroom with a deep blue bedspread, purple and pink pillows, and stained glass window
Details of the historic part of the home, such as the windows, give the home its special character.
dining area with blue graphic artwork of horse head
The blue graphic artwork of a horse head by artist Stephen Glassborow echoes the Rhomb chairs of the same hue.
totem pieces by the stairway
Three pieces by Australian-Portuguese multidisciplinary artist and designer Marta Figueiredo adorn the stairs.
Modern outdoor lounge with round couch, blue-patterned pillows, circular tables, and lush greenery
Surrounded by lush vegetation, a covered outdoor area creates a seamless transition between inside and outside.

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