Matthew's House

When brought on board to renovate a three-level house by the late Melbourne modernist Theodore Berman – famed for a back catalogue of era-defining bowling alleys and motor inns – Kennedy Nolan architects confronted a curious contradiction of mid-century style (typically premised on frugality) and a “patrician” planning that accounted for servants.

Evincing the modernist’s penchant for pink stone and warm walnut timber, the upper-level master suite pays a restrained homage to the original wall-to-wall palette with Phillip Jeffries Abaca Harvest delicately embracing the joinery in its Terracotta glory.