Homes

Artist Gemma Leslie’s 1880s Mediterranean-Inspired Family Home

The history of artist Gemma Leslie‘s home in Alphington (in north-east Melbourne) stems back to the 1880s. Originally part of one large residence, the property was subdivided and renovated in the 1920s, forming the three beautiful homes on site today.

Gemma and and her husband were lucky enough to purchase one of the residences in 2018 as their future family home. They’ve added to the property’s Mediterranean feel with sympathetic updates inside, and a pizza oven and citrus trees outside!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Supported by Dulux

Landscape design by Gemma Leslie with Josh Norman Landscapes Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Mirror bought at auction from Leonard Joel. Artwork from Aboriginal Art Co. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Gemma Leslie. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Lauren Cassar for Food For Everyone poster. Sora tiles by Perini Tiles in beige and rust. Face plate by Seala Lokollo. Blue plate by Mud Australia. Paint colour Dulux Antique White U.S.A. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Henning Kjærnulf Razorblade dining chairs purchased from Nord Modern. Artwork from left to right: ‘Flowers And A Trio Of Pears‘ by Gemma Leslie; painting by Tonee Messiah; artwork by Drez. Lamp from Curated Spaces. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Lauren Cassar for Food For Everyone poster. Sora tiles by Perini Tiles in beige and rust. Face plate by Seala Lokollo. Blue plate by Mud Australia. Paint colour Dulux Antique White U.S.A. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Oysters, yellow jug and Tuscan landscape paintings by Suzanne Corbett (who used to live next door!). ‘Waratah‘ painting by Gemma Leslie. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Bookshelves sourced from Facebook Marketplace. Eleanor Louise Butt painting. Nuñez Rojas for Food For Everyone poster. Large artwork by Sally AndersonMCM House sofa. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Rug bought at auction from Leonard Joel. Chairs found by Gemma’s father in hard rubbish 10 years ago! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Coffee table bought from Facebook Marketplace. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Artworks all by Gemma Leslie. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Ikea cot. Pan After Day-To-Day Bag. ‘Edible Garden‘ art print by Gemma Leslie. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Light from The General Hub Store. Top artwork by Tiarna Herczeg. Bottom artwork by Victoria Zschommler. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Side table and vase bought secondhand. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Polito DIY Kit Wood Fire Oven. Gemma worked with Josh Norman Landscapes to bring her garden vision to life comprising crazy paving, citrus trees, rosemary, and lavender. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Writer
Lucy Feagins
28th of March 2023

There’s a Mediterranean feel to the family home of artist and Food For Everyone founder Gemma Leslie. The Alphington, Melbourne house was originally built circa 1883-1886 as one large residence (named ‘Edgebaston’) then subdivided in the late 1920s into the three homes that remain today. Arches were added and a roughcast render applied to the exterior, creating a grand appearance, reminiscent of a romantic Italian villa.

Gemma and her partner bought their home in 2018 for its unique character. Since moving in, they’ve worked to enhance the European qualities of the place, especially in the kitchen, where they’ve added new marble bench tops, American oak cabinetry made by friend Kit Boagey, a grey and rust tiled splashback, and Dulux Antique White U.S.A. walls. 

After welcoming their son Francis in 2021, Gemma says the family spend ‘all of their time outside’, so they’ve now updated the garden to suit this lifestyle. Gemma worked with Josh Norman Landscapes to bring her vision to life, with crazy paving, citrus trees, rosemary, and lavender. A pizza oven adds the final Italian touch! 

Gemma hasn’t actively attempted to ‘style’ her home — she’s simply filled it with the items that inspire them. ‘It’s a happy jumble filled with art and objects we have collected over the years,’ Gemma says. There’s something to be said for having effortlessly excellent taste!

Gemma feels very lucky to own such a special piece of local history. (We featured another Edgebaston home in 2019—take a walk down memory lane here!)

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