Kazoo is an Edwardian red-brick home in the Melbourne suburb of Caulfield East, opposite the historic Caulfield Racecourse. Indeed, the project was named after the racehorse whose winnings funded its original construction. Following a substantial 2014 renovation by Architects EAT, the new owners enlisted Alessandra Smith to reimagine key spaces including the sitting room, hallway, children’s bedrooms and the primary suite within the modern extension. The result is a thoughtfully curated interior that merges Edwardian grandeur with modern flair.
The home has recently undergone a refined redecoration with the aim of honouring its architectural heritage while embracing a vibrant, contemporary aesthetic. The sitting room exemplifies this balance, with walls and ceilings cloaked in a deep slate green that envelops the space in a cocoon-like warmth. This dramatic backdrop is enriched by a palette of jewel tones – shades of blue, green and plum – that complement the room’s existing sky-blue velvet sofa. The colour scheme strikes a harmonious chord, fostering a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
A curated selection of vintage and contemporary furniture enhances the spatial character while respecting its heritage. The standout piece is Daniel Boddam’s wave sofa, whose soft curves and tactile boucle upholstery contrast elegantly with the blue velvet seating opposite. Adding further depth, a rosso levanto marble and smoked glass coffee table introduces rich burgundy hues that finds echoes in the rug’s tones, lending the space a sense of gravitas.
Textile details bring a playful edge to the room. Roman blinds in Catherine Martin’s Jungle Room fabric feature an embroidered jungle motif that ties the room’s colours together. This whimsical choice, inspired by the client’s love for Velona’s Jungle hotel in Florence, infuses the space with a sense of fun and individuality.
Inbuilt shelving flanking the fireplace provides an opportunity to bridge past and present through a curated display of personal objects, grounding the room in its owners’ stories. Elsewhere in the home, the hallway’s golden tones create a welcoming first impression, radiating warmth and grandeur. In contrast, the muted palettes in the children’s bedrooms and the primary suite soften these spaces, adding a sense of calm and intimacy.
Kazoo’s reimagined interiors celebrate the home’s Edwardian heritage while embracing modern sensibilities. Through its rich colour palette, curated furniture and personalised details, the home achieves a timeless yet individual aesthetic.
