Homes

Carla and Troy Murley

The Beaumaris home of Milliner Carla Murley, her husband Troy, and their young kids Ruby and Oscar perfectly exemplifies the hallmarks of classic late 1950’s Australian architecture. It’s a relaxed, robust home, honest in its materiality, with a strong connection to the outdoors.

Sympathetically restored and extended in 2014, this colourful family home is furnished with an eclectic mix of mid century treasures and vintage finds in every room.

 

 

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

The Murley family home. Kitchen. Cabinetry by Hartnett Cabinets, tap by Blanco, and artwork by Carly Williams. Barstools from Rustique Vintage, dining table from Sandarne Homewares Sorrento, dining chairs from Grandfathers Axe, couch from Sandane Homewares Sorrento. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen. Cabinetry by Hartnett Cabinets, tap by Blanco, and artwork by Carly Williams. Barstools from Rustique Vintage, dining table from Sandarne Homewares Sorrento, dining chairs from Grandfathers Axe, couch from Sandane Homewares Sorrento. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining Area. Czechoslovakian pendant from Brokis Muffin. Artwork by Noni Drew Art. Dining table by Sandane Sorrento, dining chairs from Grandfathers Axe. Fruit bowl by Carga Seminyak. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living Room. Vintage footstool, coffee table and timber plant stand from Vintage Shabby Retro Moorabbin. Couch from Sandarne Sorrento, cushions by Sandarne Sorrento & Sukie. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The Den. Cedar Door handcrafted by builder AML Boutique Builders. Artwork by Noni Drew and VELO print. Saucer chair is a vintage family treasure. Side table and bookshelf  from Vintage Shabby Retro Moorrabin, couch by Bay Leather, shag throw rug from Freedom. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Couch by Bay Leather, shag throw rug from Freedom. Cushion from IKEA. Copper Canopy Fireplace was purchased on eBay. Victorian Timber Bike Wheels from Vintage Shabby Retro Moorrabin, Oars from Tyabb Antiques Centre, and Sanseveria from Din San Nursery. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Ensuite. Mid Century vanity sideboard from Golden Years Vintage. Cedar canisters from Vintage Shabby Retro Moorrabin. Towels from  IKEA. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom. Artwork by Kirsten Jackson, cushions from IKEA, bedding by Koo Linen, lamps are a vintage second hand find. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom. Chair from Schots Home Emporium, stag head from Hodi Home Decor, and wall art from Freedom. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Ruby’s bedroom. Antique wardrobe and doll’s chair from Vintage Shabby Retro Moorabbin. Cross-stitch art by Ruby. Owl art by Fiona Slater Art. Jute rug from Spotlight. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Oscar’s bedroom. Bed is a vintage find from eBay. Bedding from Kmart and Sheridan DFO. Oar from Vintage Shabby Retro Moorrabin. Bedside table from Nook Vintage. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Study Nook. Desk is a vintage eBay find. Overhead shelves were made by Troy using recycled timber. Elcon fan is a vintage family treasure and artwork by Christine Pain. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Carla’s studio, where she runs her business Murley & co Millinery. Picture the SS16 range ‘La Flare et la Faune’ available online from August 2016. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Murley & co Millinery studio. Vintage workbench and cabinetry made from recycled timber from original house (handcrafted by Troy). Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
2nd of August 2016

The Murley family moved into their home in November 2013. At the time, it was a small 1950s house on a corner block in a quiet street, slightly run down but full of potential. ‘The bones of this little mid century house were perfect, the existing house only needed minimal updating to bring it up to scratch’ Carla says.

The original house was built in 1958 using a ‘small homes service’ plan published in The Age, modified slightly by a local builder. In the early 1960s, it was extended to include a studio for the original owner, who was a graphic designer. ‘It was the owner’s studio that sold the house to us, the brick floor sealed the deal’ Carla says.

Carla and Troy were keen to preserve the mid century character of the house, whilst adding a few extra rooms to accommodate their young family. A year after moving in, they extended either end of the existing house, creating a central courtyard. This gave them an extra bedroom and bathroom, and a home studio for Carla’s millinery business, Murley & co.

Having created an outdoor courtyard visible from almost every room, landscaping became a top priority for the Murleys once the renovations were complete. Luckily, the family inherited a treasure trove of mid century plants from a local development site. ‘I rang the developer initially and asked if he had any plans to keep the many mature Agave Americanas on his development block, which was just up the road from us – some were over 50 years old!’ Carla recalls. ‘He just laughed at me at said “take what you want”!’ One man’s trash is another’s treasure – Carla and Troy spent 3 weekends removing the lot, and now have a beautiful garden full of established plants, even though they’ve been here only 3 years. (Regrettably it was pouring with rain on the day of our visit, so no outside shots – apologies!)

There’s a lot to love about this bright and breezy, relaxed family home. With its original red brick floor, optimal orientation for sunlight and airflow, and strong connection to the outdoors, it’s a home which perfectly encapsulates so many of the best attributes of mid century design. Carla particularly loves of the fact that you can’t easily tell where the original house ends and the new extension starts.

With spring just around the corner, Carla has been feverishly busy in her studio. During our visit she showed us her latest creations – a capsule range of bespoke headpieces created in collaboration with artist Letitia Green – so spectacular! Check out Murley & co to learn more about Carla’s beautiful handmade millinery.

Carla, Oscar and Ruby at home. Cedar Door was handcrafted by AML Boutique Builders. Artwork by Noni Drew. Bookshelf from Vintage Shabby Retro Moorabbin. Brick flooring is the original floor from previous owner’s studio. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

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