Once a Stable, This Melbourne Townhouse Is Now a Plant and Ceramics-Filled Sanctuary
“Our house was once an old stable, the only one in a row of terraces,” begins landscape architect and ceramicist Katie Cudal, who along with landscape architect Brenton Beggs, has owned this townhouse in Melbourne’s Fitzroy North area for a year and a half. “There are tales about the street — it’s said that it may have been owned by a wealthy merchant, the only one who could afford the luxury of a horse and carriage.”
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The creative couple, who share their home with their dog, Arnott, gave the townhome a nickname before they bought the place: ugly duckling. “When we first purchased it, its charm had slowly withered away due to a series of hack DIY jobs and the hands of various owners dabbling in the arts and crafts reminiscent of the ’90s and early 2000s,” Katie continues. “At one point the stables became an office.”
“The house felt like a maze, with pockmarked walls and our living space split by a narrow walk-in pantry. Several walls also blocked natural light and cross ventilation upstairs,” Katie writes. “Its true potential was hidden beneath a tapestry of carpets, the first thing visitors would notice. Notably, upstairs, there was a royal purple carpet — so vibrantly luminescent it could have welcomed the Queen.”
“On an opportunistic whim, while browsing open for inspections, we saw this place and knew it was full of potential, ready for the next chapter of our lives,” Katie admits. “We had to purchase it.”
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Featherson Numero VII modular set — Mood Objects
- Featherson IV High back — Curated Spaces
- Hanging Hive pot — Katie Cudal Ceramics (contact @katiecuddle)
- VARMLIXT wall lamp orange — IKEA
- Pedestal Planters — Katie Cudal Ceramics (contact – theplantsociety.com.au or Katie Cudal @katiecuddle)
- Vera Planters — Lightly
- Thimble Stool — Dowel Jones
- Cushions — Hommey
- Arancini Floor Lamp — Moda Piera
- 1970s wall units inherited from Brenton’s grandpa
DINING ROOM
- Dining table upcycled from a salvaged trestle table — Brenton
- 1970s wall units — Inherited from Brenton’s grandpa
- Ceramic mugs — Katie Cudal ceramics available @mahousesupplystore or @katiecuddle
- Pedestal Planters — Katie Cudal Ceramics (contact – theplantsociety.com.au or Katie Cudal @katiecuddle)
- Half Hurdle chairs — Dowel Jones
- Stripe clock — Daniel and Emma
- Tall Pier Planter Carpa x Plant Society Planter
KITCHEN
- Muuto Kink Vase
- Goblet Planter
- Ceramic mugs — Katie Cudal ceramics available @mahousesupplystore or @katiecuddle
- Artwork on wall — Martin Woodbine contact @martin__boyd
MAIN BEDROOM
- Vera Grande Planter — Lightly
- Tall Pier Planter — The Plant Society x Capra Designs – Totem Collection
- Knitted inverse throw — Cillie
- Gladom side table — IKEA
- Self-Watering pot — Mr Kitly x Decor
- Ceramic wall self — Katie Cudal Ceramics (contact @katiecuddle)
- Bed sheets and linen — Bed threads
- FLOTTILJ desk lamp — IKEA
- Arwork titled Grey — Carla Fletcher
BEDROOM/STUDY
- Thimble Stool — Thimble Stool by Dowel Jones
- Happy Sofa Bed — Happy 2 Seat Sofa Bed | Scandi Style Futon | Lounge Lovers
Thanks, Katie and Brenton!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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