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How Kate and Deon Jansen discovered their Mount Martha home is one of those ‘meant to be’ stories.
The artist and owner of cafe Ad Hoc Mount Eliza respectively weren’t looking for a new home, but a property listing caught their eye.
They contacted the agent, who had coincidentally visited their own home in the past for an appraisal. Based on their style, he recommended an even better home that was yet to hit the market. ‘He thought it would be even more perfect!’ says Kate.
The agent’s instincts were spot on. ‘As soon as I walked through the front gate under the arch of the beautiful trimmed conifer hedge and down the pathway to the front door, I felt excited — a feeling I had [only] felt twice before, when I had walked into our two previous homes,’ Kate says. ‘This felt even stronger!’
The ‘70s or ‘80s brick home had been heavily renovated over time, including many DIY jobs, and the addition of a weatherboard extension.
The family had just five weeks between purchasing before moving in, providing enough time for a quick yet comprehensive cosmetic makeover. ‘As soon as I received the keys, I rolled up my sleeves and began sanding all the floors back as they were a mid-brown finish,’ Kate says.
Tired walls and ceilings were refreshed with Dulux Vivid White, carpets were replaced, and all three bathrooms were retiled. Kate also converted the garage into her home studio, where she creates her colourful Palm Springs-inspired paintings under the name Wowhaus.
Modernist influences are further reflected in the home’s mid-century furniture. Kate has collected these pieces over many years, including a Pedestal table she bought in the UK, which was recently united with four matching chairs from Facebook Marketplace! ‘Finally I found four in Brunswick [and] recovered the cushions with a velour orange fabric,’ she says.
While the bones of this house are almost entirely white, it is undoubtedly a colour lover’s home. Kate has introduced vibrant shades of mustard and pink across the rugs, cushions and books, as well as filling every room in the house with an eclectic collection of artwork. Jake’s bedroom has its own design identity, featuring a quarter wall of Dulux Picturebook Green.
Four years on, Kate and Deon couldn’t be more content in their cheerful family home. ‘It’s very beachy, very bright, and a beautiful space to come home to and entertain in,’ Kate says. ‘It’s a happy house.’
