Sarah and Ger McCormack and Family

Today we visit the Toorak apartment of Sarah and Ger McCormack and their two boys, eight-year-old Sam and five-year-old Finn.

A passionate collector of works by local artists and makers, Sarah has created a bold, contemporary family home filled with cheerful decorative flourishes.

Written

Lucy Feagins

Supported by Dulux

The living room art wall showcases photographic prints by Trent Parke and Narelle Autio, and a drawing by Melbourne-based artist David Booth aka Ghostpatrol. Photo – Henry Trumble.

The Toorak apartment of Sarah and Ger McCormack and their two sons. Tan leather Butterfly Chair from Muu Muu, hanging wall basket from Husk, dining chairs from MRD home and table from Freedom, Cow hide from NSW Leather Co and bookcase from Aero Designs. Photo – Henry Trumble.

‘I love that our space is a little bit different from the norm.. It is a real mix of bold colours and textures, old and modern furniture pieces and contemporary and meaningful artwork,’ describes Sarah. Tan couch from Bay Leather Republic, cushions from Bonnie and Neil, and Ahoy Trader crosses and wall tiles. Photo – Henry Trumble.

The living room with feature walls in Dulux Klavier, matte finish. Embellished handcrafted crosses and other small objects by artist Jai Vasicek are featured throughout the home. Photo – Henry Trumble.

Sarah and Ger McCormack in the kitchen of their beautiful Toorak apartment. Photo – Henry Trumble.

The white walls throughout the home are painted in Dulux Lexicon. Collection on wall includes blue fish from Noosa, Zebra by Sam McCormack, wire fish gifted from Sarah’s Mum, and leaf print by Rachel Castle. Photo – Henry Trumble.

For Sarah, having enough space with two boys was always going to be an challenge, luckily, the apartment’s rooms are all generous in size and she’s great at culling the things the family doesn’t use. Bedlinen is by Adairs, cushions and wall flag from Pony Rider, green penny cushion Castle and Things and lamp HK Living. Photo – Henry Trumble.

Prior to the McCormacks moving in, new bathrooms were installed. Pictured here, the minimalist ensuite. Photo – Henry Trumble.

Master bedroom, featuring seascape print by Byron Bay-based photographer Matt Johnson. Sarah has always dreamed of living next to the beach, so it serves as her little connection. ‘I love waking up and seeing the peacefulness of the sea everyday,’ she says. Photo – Henry Trumble.

Writer

Lucy Feagins

20th of June 2017

After missing out on a number of other properties at auction, Ger McCormack had his heart set on this spacious ground floor apartment in Toorak. He was so keen on it, in fact, that he purchased the place at auction whilst his partner, Sarah was out of town! ‘He fell in love with the apartment and its potential, and I think in his eyes, it was the “one”!’ Sarah concludes. Luckily, the rest of the family have wholeheartedly embraced their new home since moving in late last year.

One of just six apartments in a 1960s building, this three bedroom apartment is generous in size – imperative for this busy family of four. After purchasing the home, the McCormacks arranged for the kitchen and bathrooms to be renovated prior to moving in. They also maximised all available space by installing considered, practical storage options. For now, the boys share a room, which allows the family to host regular visitors in a spare bedroom. ‘We have a lot of family and friends visiting from interstate and overseas, so I like to give them the necessary space to feel comfortable while they’re here,’ Sarah explains.

The place was also given a bold, contemporary styling update by Sarah, who has a passion for interior decoration. Her bravest and most rewarding decision has been that blue on the living room walls – a triumph! The colour is Dulux Klavier, a deep charcoal grey with indigo undertones, which provides the perfect backdrop for Sarah’s treasured collections of artwork and collectibles by local creatives including Jai Vasicek of Ahoy Trader, contemporary photographer Narelle Autio, and Melbourne-based artist David Booth aka Ghostpatrol.

‘I love that our space is a little bit different from the norm… It is a real mix of bold colours and textures, old and modern furniture pieces and contemporary and meaningful artwork’ Sarah muses. A loyal collector of many local artists and makers, she is never short of inspiration to re-style and update the space. ‘I am always on the lookout… the interior is forever changing,’ Sarah admits. ‘I never feel it’s completely finished!’