Architectural

From Un-rentable To Unbelievable!

The home of interior stylist Aimee Tarulli and her husband builder Frank Tarulli, director of Thomas Archer, captures the skills and exacting style of both built-environment specialists.

We take a tour through this luxuriously understated home, Which Aimee and Frank share with kids Leo (5) and Rosie (3). Prepare for the most enviable collection of Australian art!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

The Bentleigh East home of stylist Aimee Tarulli and builder Frank Tarulli, and their little kids Leo and Rosie. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Custom kitchen designed by Thomas Archer Homes. Super white natural stone island bench from WK Stone. Viccabe Last Minute stools from Hub Furniture. Matte black wall ovens by Schweigen. Axis black track head lights over island bench from Lights Lights Lights.  Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Original artwork by Miranda Skoczek from Edwina Corlette Gallery. Keel marble dining table from King Living. Husk dining chairs from Zuster. Engineered oak flooring by Made by Storey. Baxab concrete flooring by Concrete Resurfacing Systems. Custom staircase designed by Thomas Archer, installed by Going Up Stairs. Toss B pendant light from Hub Furniture. Flowers by Kate Hill. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

La Paloma micro bricks from Brickworks Building Products. Fireplace by Jetmaster. Original artwork on top shelf by Heidi Yardley from Jan Murphy Gallery. Family portrait framed by Format Framing. Artwork on side wall by James Greer. Mia armchair from Hub Furniture. Green onyx marble side table from BBY Design. City Wellington floor rug by Halcyon Lake. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Seamless indoor/outdoor living! Plaza modular sofa from King Living. Velvet cushions from Zuster. Axis track heads and track lighting from Lights Lights Lights. City Wellington floor rug by Halcyon Lake. Sheer curtains by Lynch’s Window Fashions. Dulux Casper White Half on the walls. King Cove outdoor sofa from King Living. Fan from Lights Lights Lights. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Artwork by Robert Doble from Block Projects Gallery. Arc wall lamp from Lights Lights Lights. Felix three-seater sofa from King Living. Embellish side table from Zuster. Velvet curtain by Eadie Lifestyle. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Frank, Aimee, Leo and Rosie looking totally adorable. Original artwork by Kirra Jamison from Jan Murphy Gallery. Ivy coffee table from Grazia and Co. Flowers by Kate Hill. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

La Paloma Miro Bricks, Brickworks Building Products. Halo console by Zuster. Lamp by Zuster. Vase by Jardan. Small artwork on console by Melissa Boughey from Studio Gallery Melbourne. Custom coffee tables by BBY Design. Vintage floor rug from Halcyon Lake. Kelly chairs from Jardan. Sidney side table from Jardan. Gold sculpture on coffee table from West Elm. Glass knot sculpture from Jardan. Pink dishes on coffee table Kartell from Space Furniture. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Top shelf: Vase by Iggy and Lou Lou. Original artwork by Kerry Armstrong. Vase by Amy Leeworthy from Pop and Scott. Hanging plant from Glasshouse. Second Shelf: Small vessel by Bridget Bodenham from Scout St Kilda. Small bowl by Amy Leeworthy from Pop and Scott. Third Shelf: Large vessel by Amy Leeworthy from Pop and Scott. Framed Family portrait, framed Format Framing. Candle by Jardan. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Custom Coffee tables by BBY Design. Gold sculpture on coffee table from West Elm. Glass knot sculpture from Jardan. Vintage floor rug from Halcyon Lake. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Rosie’s room. Wallpaper by Anewall. Four poster bed from House of Orange. Bedlinen and penny round cushion from Castle and Things. Country Road throw. Nana Huchy dolls. Grazia and Co Heart print. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Leo’s room. Michael Quarez original vintage poster from The Galerie Fitzroy. Hurdle chair by Dowel Jones. Bookshelf from District. Monkey from The Toy Workshop.Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Osso desk chair from District. Felt pinboard by Al and Em pinboards. Desk lamp from Beacon Lighting. Amphora vase by Iggy and Lou Lou. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

#CLOSETGOALS. Custom joinery by Thomas Archer. Ottoman by Darcy & Duke. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Encore bed from King Living. Bed linen + linen coverlet from Bedouin Societe. Serenade marble bedside table from King Living. Wall Light from Douglas and Bec. Flowers by Kate Hill. Linen curtains by Lynch’s Window Fashions. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

“Moving Study” original artwork by Ali McNabney Stevens from Studio Gallery Melbourne. Oliver tub chair in lilac velvet from King Living. Marble side table, BBY Design. Flowers by Kate Hill. Throw from Country Road. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Contura freestanding bath from ChromaLeaf. Wall light from Lights Lights Lights. Vivid slimline matte black tapware and towel ladder from Phoenix Tapware. Elba marble tiles from Artedomus. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
5th of February 2019

When interior stylist Aimee Tarulli and her husband builder Frank Tarulli, director of Thomas Archer, first encountered the site of their current home, they were met with a derelict 1960s brick residence that the real estate agent described as ‘un-rentable.’ Aimee explains ‘the phrase “buy the worst home on the best street” was definitely true for us.’ With the pre-existing home being deemed ‘beyond repair’, the couple started from scratch, with a floor plan designed to cater to family across different phases of life.

The resulting outcome is an impressive double-storey home, with four bedrooms, a study, three living areas, an expansive kitchen, and a sparkling outdoor pool. The objective was to ‘create a home that really reflected our design aesthetic and our personalities, but was also a very practical and liveable home for our young family’, explains Aimee.

The house was designed with the aim to transcend ‘white walls’, offering unexpected surprises and delights as you move through the space. Aimee enthuses ‘at each turning point you are met with a different texture of wall finish, and the surprise of different “wow” moments throughout the entire home.’

Aimee’s collection of contemporary art by local painters adorns many of the walls, and she cites a large original work by Craig Waddell as a particular favourite. ‘It is the first thing you see when you come into the house, and it takes people’s breath away. It’s a beautiful rich oil painting with so much texture and movement and it’s a piece I will love forever.’ As a designer, Aimee often builds the room around a single piece of art, and is lucky to have acquired works by a number of TDF favourites. Miranda Skoczek, Kerry Armstrong, Kirra Jamison, Ali McNabney-Stevens and Heidi Yardley are among her impressive collection…. how many can you spot ?!

Recent Architectural