Inside the old Melbourne heritage home that's just won a prize at the Dulux Colour Awards: 'Breathtaking'
A Melbourne weatherboard home with an extension at the rear has been expertly transformed into an award-winning home.
The Elonera House project, undertaken by Studio Doherty, was recently recognised in the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards and named the winner in the coveted Residential Interior category.
Studio Doherty, led by Mardi Doherty, took to their Instagram account after the win to say they were 'still pinching ourselves' about the victory.
But a glimpse at the beautiful interior images of the Sandringham home confirms the renovation is more than deserving of the top accolade.
The Bayside suburb project set out to transform a tired, singe-level, weatherboard period home 'into a welcoming sanctuary for a growing family'.
The team was posed with the added challenge of staying within the home's existing footprint – while converting it into an elegantly designed space with a functional layout.
The project rationale described it as a 'thoughtful reconfiguration' utilising 'a refined material palette'.
The plan was to 'celebrate the original Edwardian charm while creating intimate, light-filled spaces that connect with the garden, offering both warmth and modern functionality'.
The end result is a renovation that has a modern aesthetic, while honouring many of the home's original period elements, like the heritage architraves, fretwork and skirting.
Even the 90s extension area is playfully nodded to with that section of the house sculpted in light timber.
Colour-wise, the judges' were captivated by the homes' use of a palette of graceful tones, inspired by its surrounding gardens.
This is echoed throughout the design through the use of earthy yellows and light blues alongside matte and glossy finishes.
A distinct cherry-painted door marks the transition between the original house and its contemporary back area.
The bold kitchen is a particular standout in the project, with the space delineated by a curved bulkhead that wraps around the kitchen.
The splashback is covered in glistening yellow tiles and complements a quartzite covered island bench top. Together, these luxe warm tones unite the kitchen and carry on through to the adjacent living space.
Overall, the final result is a house that exudes warmth, elegance, relaxation and functionality - making it a clear winner at the recent awards.
The Dunstan House project was commended for its use of a 'Yellow Varnish' paint on external aspects of the home, which cleverly tied interior and exterior living spaces
In the other highly competitive category of Single Residential Exterior, the winner was Melbourne project Dunstan House by SSdH.
The SSdh designed home in the north-east suburb of Preston was particularly commended for its use of the Dulux shade 'Yellow Varnish' on external aspects of the house.
The colour was cleverly used as a connecting device between the interior and exterior living spaces, while also adding visual warmth and framing.
As explained in the project rationale, the paint 'impacted on the colours around it'.
'On a clear day, it brings the sky into focus and in the evening, it reflects a glowing warmth onto the brick walls and timber-lined interior.'
Like the interior winner, the judges' appreciated the Dunstan House project's ability to play into its original 'true to character' elements.
In the case of this project, this was evident in the display of an imperfect layered brick finish.
A judges' statement provided to FEMAIL confirmed that a common thread among this year's winner was a preference for honouring 'architectural heritage' and design that championed retro and vintage influences, as well as the 'striking use of singular colour as a design device'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Hannah Hollis' shock career move: Popular Aussie TV presenter announces sudden departure from Fox Sports after 10 years
Hannah Hollis has revealed her shock new career move, announcing she is stepping away from her presenter role at Fox Sports. The Aussie TV presenter, who has been working for the sports broadcaster for 10 years, will continue fronting lifestyle show Luxury Escapes, which is currently being produced by Foxtel. The 36-year-old's final broadcast will be on Sunday as she covers the Suncorp Super Netball. This won't be Hannah's first time on Luxury Escapes. She has already featured on the second season of the popular travel show. The program, which first aired in 2016, gives viewers a glimpse into some of the best holiday experiences across the globe, as well as our very own backyard. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Hannah opened up to about the career move after having just returned from a luxury escape in the US. 'I've been to some of the most beautiful places around the world experiencing wild indulgence, adventure, food, art and culture all steeped in local tradition,' she said. 'It's a joy to share stories like this.' Despite the complete 180 from sport to travel, Hannah assured her fans she wasn't turning her back on her passion for the field, but instead hoped to blend the two in the future. 'My time with Fox Sports and Foxtel — and the opportunities I've enjoyed over the past decade — have further fuelled my ambition,' she said. She added that it felt like the perfect time to step out of her comfort zone and explore broader possibilities within the media landscape. It comes after a new shot was fired by Fox Sports in the broadcaster's increasingly bitter footy war with Channel Seven. This year, Fox is the only way footy fans across most of Australia can watch games on a Saturday for large parts of the season due to a change in the league's broadcasting agreement. It's a move that has infuriated footy fans and left a big dent in Seven's coverage, which has been bolstered by its huge investment in AFL panel shows with the likes of Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson. This is also the first year viewers have had the option of watching every game on Fox, with the pay TV giant's commentators covering every match, with ratings jumping by a huge amount as a result. Seven star Brian Taylor has been taking pot shots at Fox by reminding fans that they don't always send their commentary crews to matches and instead have them cover the games from the studio, whereas he and his colleagues are always at the ground. Fox recently hit back by launching an ad showing a Taylor lookalike banging on the door of a pub when he couldn't get inside to watch footy on a Saturday. That has crossed a line with Seven, with a staffer at the broadcaster hitting the commercial with the 'disrespectful' tag, according to The Age.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I just moved to Australia and there are several huge cultural shocks here I can't stop thinking about: 'Nobody warns you'
Moving to Australia is often sold as a dream, with the lure of sun-drenched coastlines, friendly locals, and a 'no worries' attitude that supposedly seeps into every aspect of life. But ask anyone who's actually packed up their life to settle Down Under, and they'll tell you the real culture shock lies in the everyday stuff - but, interestingly, not the ones you'd expect. That's according to a recent Reddit thread, which has unearthed some interesting opinions from expats who have migrated here for good, and some might surprise you more than others. With more than eight million people born overseas (nearly 30 percent of the entire population), Australia is one of the most multicultural nations on Earth. Each year, thousands of expats from the UK, India, China, South Africa, Germany, and just about everywhere in between make the leap to start a new life here. They arrive hopeful, wide-eyed, and completely unprepared for what awaits. Because while guidebooks warn you about the spiders, snakes, and swooping magpies, no one tells you the real everyday challenges. From Sydney's chronic influencer scene, to the chaos of Aussie kids dressed like they've just rolled out of a tent, expats didn't hold back on the quirky, confusing, and sometimes hilarious bits of Aussie life that took them by surprise. There were some heartfelt moments too, with many who praised the relaxed vibe, the lack of snobbery in the workplace, as an upside to moving to the land of Vegemite, vapes, and viral run clubs. One of the most upvoted responses came from a baffled observer of Sydney's influencer culture, who couldn't believe how showy life in the Harbour City felt. 'Sydney's influencer mentality. Everything feels performative, or for the sole purpose of taking a photo,' one wrote. 'The lines outside Louis Vuitton, etc., those swarms of run clubs at Bondi. Obnoxious model posing with no shame on the bow of the ferry.' The comment struck a chord with many, with others chiming in to say they felt like it was all very boastful and performative: 'Gotta flex to their relatives and family friends back home,' a user wrote. Expats from more hierarchical cultures were pleasantly stunned by how casual Aussies are in the workplace, even when addressing the CEO. And while the power dynamics do still exist, many were surprised by how informal interactions could be, even in big business. 'I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have to 'sir' or 'ma'am' my CEO, directors, [or] people in upper management,' another commented. 'Hierarchy isn't so in your face, unlike in Eastern cultures. I really appreciated that.' Another user didn't hold back about one of the darker 'shock' of Aussie life, namely the sheer amount of recreational drug use among revellers. 'In my mind, anyone over 30 from my homeland who still used drugs was most likely addicted,' they wrote. 'Here, it seems they are a requirement to head out. The only time people talk to you on the dance floor or at the pub is if they're high/drunk. I'm used to it now, but coming from a culture where people socialised extensively while sober, it was a huge shock initially.' Some agreed, with one pointing out that 'alcohol is a recreational drug' too, perhaps highlighting Australia's well-known binge-drinking culture. On the other end of the scale, one British mum admitted she was totally confused by how dishevelled Aussie kids look. Something that rubbed off quickly on her seven- and ten-year-old children. 'In my community in England, all the kids were very well turned out ALL THE TIME. Their clothes were ironed and clean,' she noted. 'The kids in Oz are creased and rumpled, and their hair [is] often messy too. Lol. My kids very soon became the same way.' Lastly, and perhaps the most hilarious observations, came from one German commenter who simply couldn't wrap his head around the Aussie small talk. Perhaps the most hilarious observation came from one German commenter who simply couldn't wrap his head around the Aussie small talk Who would've thought an innocent 'How's it going?' question would throw someone into an existential crisis. 'I'm not a huge fan of small talk, and we Germans are very direct,' he explained, warning others to answer simple Aussie questions with caution. 'A little suggestion - don't answer by saying "like sh*t", it throws people off, and the cashier doesn't really wanna know lol.' The responses, although fairly lighthearted, highlight a deeper divide between Aussie values and those of other cultures. Where some countries prize formality, structure, and polished appearances, Australia is proudly casual, a little chaotic, and a bit rough around the edges, according to some. And for many expats, that's not a bad thing; it's just a bit of an adjustment
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Inside the old Melbourne heritage home that's just won a prize at the Dulux Colour Awards: 'Breathtaking'
A Melbourne weatherboard home with an extension at the rear has been expertly transformed into an award-winning home. The Elonera House project, undertaken by Studio Doherty, was recently recognised in the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards and named the winner in the coveted Residential Interior category. Studio Doherty, led by Mardi Doherty, took to their Instagram account after the win to say they were 'still pinching ourselves' about the victory. But a glimpse at the beautiful interior images of the Sandringham home confirms the renovation is more than deserving of the top accolade. The Bayside suburb project set out to transform a tired, singe-level, weatherboard period home 'into a welcoming sanctuary for a growing family'. The team was posed with the added challenge of staying within the home's existing footprint – while converting it into an elegantly designed space with a functional layout. The project rationale described it as a 'thoughtful reconfiguration' utilising 'a refined material palette'. The plan was to 'celebrate the original Edwardian charm while creating intimate, light-filled spaces that connect with the garden, offering both warmth and modern functionality'. The end result is a renovation that has a modern aesthetic, while honouring many of the home's original period elements, like the heritage architraves, fretwork and skirting. Even the 90s extension area is playfully nodded to with that section of the house sculpted in light timber. Colour-wise, the judges' were captivated by the homes' use of a palette of graceful tones, inspired by its surrounding gardens. This is echoed throughout the design through the use of earthy yellows and light blues alongside matte and glossy finishes. A distinct cherry-painted door marks the transition between the original house and its contemporary back area. The bold kitchen is a particular standout in the project, with the space delineated by a curved bulkhead that wraps around the kitchen. The splashback is covered in glistening yellow tiles and complements a quartzite covered island bench top. Together, these luxe warm tones unite the kitchen and carry on through to the adjacent living space. Overall, the final result is a house that exudes warmth, elegance, relaxation and functionality - making it a clear winner at the recent awards. The Dunstan House project was commended for its use of a 'Yellow Varnish' paint on external aspects of the home, which cleverly tied interior and exterior living spaces In the other highly competitive category of Single Residential Exterior, the winner was Melbourne project Dunstan House by SSdH. The SSdh designed home in the north-east suburb of Preston was particularly commended for its use of the Dulux shade 'Yellow Varnish' on external aspects of the house. The colour was cleverly used as a connecting device between the interior and exterior living spaces, while also adding visual warmth and framing. As explained in the project rationale, the paint 'impacted on the colours around it'. 'On a clear day, it brings the sky into focus and in the evening, it reflects a glowing warmth onto the brick walls and timber-lined interior.' Like the interior winner, the judges' appreciated the Dunstan House project's ability to play into its original 'true to character' elements. In the case of this project, this was evident in the display of an imperfect layered brick finish. A judges' statement provided to FEMAIL confirmed that a common thread among this year's winner was a preference for honouring 'architectural heritage' and design that championed retro and vintage influences, as well as the 'striking use of singular colour as a design device'.
