Homes

An Early ‘80s Home With Good Vibes

There’s no shortage of beautiful homes in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, but getting your hands on one isn’t easy! Photographer and sculptor Jessica Tremp knows this firsthand, having resorted to placing letters in the mailboxes of local properties, resulting in one owner selling directly to her! 

Since moving in one year ago, Jessica, alongside her husband Michael Madden, and children Syd, 7, and Gray, 4, have set about making small tweaks to the interiors and garden to enhance the wonderful bones of this 1980’s gem.

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

The Macedon Ranges’ home of Jessica Tremp and family. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

This home was architecturally designed in 1979 and built circa 1982. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Jessica Tremp, Michael Madden, and their children Syd, 7, and Gray, 4.Large painting by Bugai Whyoulter. Small painting vintage find via Gallery Midlandia. Vintage statue. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

‘Late modernist bones filled with art and cosy vibes’ is how Jessica describes her home. Blue Dreamer sofa from Pop + Scott. Rust coloured vintage sofa from CCSS. Sculpture by Jessica Tremp. Bust carving by Jessica’s father Oskar Tremp. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Original high ceilings are among the standout features. Paintings: Jeannie Mills Pwerle, Elizabeth Barnett, Catherine Anholt, vintage nude studio print, vintage abstract painting. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Colourful items contrast against freshly painted white walls. Ceramic landscape/installation pieces by Alichia van Rhijn. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Limestone sculpture on table by Jessica Tremp. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Syd at the piano. Small desert painting by Fiona Kostidis. Vintage large dark landscape painting from Spain. Sculpture by Jessica Tremp. Blue vase by Nicolette Johnson. Small sofa from Smith Street Bazaar. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Warm timbers and other modernist materials make up the interiors. Sideboard from Grandfather’s Axe. Vintage yellow stone table from Curated Spaces. Artwork by Helena Kazepis, 1983. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Bench tops by Yard Furniture feature in the DIY kitchen renovation. Vintage light from Germany. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

‘We love the late modernist elements, the mixture of old tiles, brick and timber throughout and the big windows letting in light and nature – yet it still feels like a cocoon,’ says Jessica. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Art features in every room. Artwork on top left by Jessica Tremp. Artwork on bottom left by John Neeson. Artwork in middle by Paul Ruiz. Artwork on right by Wendy Stokes. Sculpture by Jessica Tremp. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

A look to the cosy living room. Painting on left by Oskar Tremp. Painting straight ahead vintage Schüldt ’59 via Gallery Midlandia. Old travertine side table via Gumtree. Sofa from Smith St Bazaar. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Original bathroom features. Vase and toothbrush holder by Amy Leeworthy. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

‘The bedrooms are quite small too, which is typical of the style. We built in a few furniture pieces here and there to make the best use of the size, and I now love the compact feel of them,’ says Jessica. One Milano and In Bed linen. Painting by Elizabeth Barnett. Sculpture by Jessica Tremp. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Adorable children’s details! Vintage/op shop finds. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Kids’ bedroom details. Vintage/op shop finds. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
17th of March 2020

Photographer and sculptor Jessica Tremp, and her electrician husband Michael Madden, knew they wanted to buy in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, but getting into the area proved tricky. With not much on the market (paired with Jessica’s admittedly picky taste!), the couple resorted to directly contacting the owners of two houses with architectural appeal. In an amazing stroke of luck, one of them decided to sell to them directly. ‘It felt like home the minute we walked in the door. The lovely lady who owned it was in no rush and very patient with us, which gave us enough time to work out our finances and make it all work,’ Jessica says. ‘It was a really wonderful buying experience and outcome that simply felt right.’

This home was architecturally designed in 1979 and built circa 1982. ‘We love the late modernist elements, the mixture of old tiles, brick and timber throughout and the big windows letting in light and nature – yet it still feels like a cocoon,’ says Jessica. 

Since moving in, Jessica and Michael have made some minor updates including a fresh paint job, new light fittings, and a DIY kitchen renovation. ‘We used materials from the old kitchen for cabinetry, but took out the black vinyl splash back and bench tops, and opted for more natural tones and materials that seemed fitting to the style of the house,’ says Jessica. A freshly painted, clean white backdrop highlights an ever changing arrangement of colourful furniture and art – including Jessica’s own stunning limestone sculptures

The garden is a work in progress, but already the family have created an easier to maintain, lush bush setting with around 50 native trees and shrubs. ‘It’s a fairly big block and it needed a lot of work,’ explains Jessica. ‘It’s become a real pleasure now though – tending to it and watching things grow and change throughout the seasons is one of my favourite parts of living here.’ 

Jessica’s favourite elements of this home are its sunken lounge, high ceilings and the ‘overwhelming good vibe’ when stepping inside! In addition, the family have loved becoming part of the creative and open minded local community, which is just around an hour’s  drive from Melbourne. Jessica says, ‘We can dip in for a nice dinner, show or visit with ease and whenever we fancy, however, we get to retreat to peace and quiet at the end of it.’

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