Designed and built as a multi-purpose wing for a multi-generational family, the Monty Retreat, by Drawing Room Architecture, may be a small slice of mid-century charm, but it’s the seamlessly incorporated details that cater to modern living that we find the real success of the project.

There were quite a few conditions thrown at Nicola Dovey, Drawing Room Architecture’s Director, but ultimately, functionality was the number one priority. The space had to encompass growing kids, working from home and aging parents, but in doing so had to be adaptable now as well as in the future.

The Monty Retreat (the home is in the bushy Melbourne suburb of Montmorency) is accessed via a laundry corridor off the main building, essentially creating a self-contained wing. Once through the corridor, the abundance of light created by the sawtooth ceiling reveals more than just a blue sky, but a sun-drenched sanctuary full of Drawing Room Architecture’s signature style.
 

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Left: Monty Retreat kitchen featuring adaptable island and cabinetry in Laminex Burnt Ochre and upper cabinetry in Laminex Paper Bark. Right: The sawtooth ceiling/roof of the self-contained Monty Retreat.

In the distance an era appropriate wall of Besser brick brings dappled light and privacy, while casting mid-century shadows into the living room. The large, flexibly designed kitchen highlights DRA’S confidence with colour – in this case, the warmth of Laminex Burnt Ochre and a long terrazzo benchtop that dances and pops with the room’s vibrant palette. The kitchen island, with large dining table expanse, plenty of workspace, box detailing and timber supports is on castors and can be moved at will, creating new plans and layouts as needed. 

“It’s kind of an old school idea. We put it (the island) on casters. It’s humble, but practical, but it's also really simple,” says Nicola, “it’s utilitarian and it’s got that nice, little curve detail at the end.”
 

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The Monty Retreat kitchen features Laminex Burnt Ochre (island and cabinetry) and Paper Bark (upper cabinetry).

Nicola has used Laminex Paper Bark, instead of a pure white, as a soft neutral. Lending itself to the holistic needs of the project, it is a quiet but particularly important element that goes a long way to achieving the warmth a mid-century retreat such as this needs. A small nook features the décor as a place to work while one ponders the outdoors through a panoramic window to the side of the living space.

“It needed to be a pretty robust space, it's going to be used by everyone in the family, but there were also a few things that their current house didn't allow them to do, like movie night. So, this little wing needed to be whatever the family needed. So that's why it’s fun, contained, robust and flexible,” says Nicola.
 

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The Monty Retreat study nook features Laminex Paper Bark joinery.

The splashback is a wonderful piece of circular sourcing. The bold, deep red, Japanese tile is courtesy of another job, but as Nicola explains, “we’ve started to stockpile surplus building materials so that when we have these smaller jobs, we can use them up, otherwise they're landfill.” 

Before hitting the main space, the laundry is your first introduction to what awaits. The slightly deeper and darker Laminex Moroccan Clay has been used for the joinery, while around the corner, the open bathroom employs terracotta tiles, great swathes of light and Laminex Moroccan Clay once again for the vanity cabinetry. This, along with the whole retreat, is a demonstration of how to use colour comfortably to create a space full of personality and charm, without feeling the need to overdo the colour or over-spec the details. Nicola has incorporated her client’s love of the era and style – and their artwork - while creating a functional space that will be able to adapt to life’s ever-changing circumstances and requirements.

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Left & Centre: The Monty Retreat kitchen and laundry, featuring Laminex Burnt Ochre (cabinetry and island) and Paper Bark (upper cabinetry). Right: The warm toned bathroom of the Monty Retreat features Laminex Moroccan Clay (basin joinery).

Monty Retreat is both a purpose-built wing and a flexible living space, able to provide years of entertainment and, in time, be a place for adult children to return to. It's what happens when a good idea meets a creative architect; this kind of pairing can bring a project to its fullest fruition. Drawing Room Architecture’s ease with the era and aesthetic, while working to budget and specific targets is on full display here, taking on the best of the design period with calm, wit and aplomb. Eventually everything connects; people, ideas, products - to paraphrase mid-century master Charles Eames - it’s making sure the quality of connections is there. 

Learn more about this project and explore Drawing Room Architecture's portfolio in more detail here.

Credits: 
Design:
Drawing Room Architecture 
Build: Charles Bros Building Contractors
Photographer: Marnie Hawson
Stylist: Belle Bright Project

Banner image: The Monty Retreat kitchen features cabinetry and adaptable island in Laminex Burnt Ochre, and upper joinery in Laminex Paper Bark.