Rosalind Willett has long called St Kilda home. The managing partner of Willett Marketing was living nearby when this apartment went up for sale, and despite not being in the market for a new home at the time, she was instantly taken with its sensational ‘60s features. ‘Our family was at a stage that living in an apartment close to the city and transport was very convenient’ she says, ‘we couldn’t resist.’
Rosalind’s apartment is the penthouse of her building (a block of 16) that was originally the builder’s own family home. It’s definitely not your typical shoebox apartment, but a four-bedroom, two-bathroom haven with multiple living spaces and even a rooftop terrace. They don’t make them like this anymore!
‘It has a beautiful aspect across to the city and neighbouring rooftops, trees and the Sacred Heart Mission,’ says Rosalind of her rooftop oasis. ‘The bird life is spectacular – magpies, currawongs and parrots come to drink from a bird bath I have and they love the new flowering native trees.’
After living here for eight years, Rosalind set out to renovate with the team at Wowowa Architects. The plan was to retain any original ‘60s elements (such as the glass doors, windows and dividers throughout) but otherwise give the place a serious facelift.
The renovations saw new joinery, flooring, carpet, heating, cooling and lighting added to the apartment. The kitchen, bathroom, and terrace were completely renovated, while the upstairs living room was redesigned with joinery pieces, timber slats, and ceramic tiles on the chimney.
Never ones to play it safe, Wowowa encouraged Rosalind to experiment with colour to add some magic and zing! ‘They were an inspiration, and pushed me to go with things I wouldn’t have thought of, or ordinarily been brave enough to do,’ she says. ‘Working with architects and interior designers brings magic to your home and the value of that can’t be measured.’ Among the many spectacular details are the superb green kitchen cabinets, the yellow striped awning over the terrace, and peacock coloured carpet. Brass finishes in nearly every room provide a sophisticated touch, tying the entire space together.
Rosalind currently shares this home with her son, jazz musician Jack Hosking, and his partner HR Manager Irene Censini, who are living here while they save for a property of their own. ‘The apartment remains a comfortable space for the family, bringing joy to all those who frequent it,’ Rosalind says, ‘It’s tactile, delightful to look at and be in, or as Mon [Wowowa architect Monica Woodward] would say, it’s thoroughly delicious.’
Tessa the dog. SBW Halo sofas and chairs. Landscaping by WOWOWA, In Design Company, Cultivate Nursery & Gifts. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Ros Willett and Tess. SBW Halo sofas and chairs. Landscaping by WOWOWA, In Design Company, Cultivate Nursery & Gifts. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Mattioli flooring. Tiles from. The City Tiler. SBW Halo chair and stool. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Custom barbecue joinery by WOWOWA. Light from Koda Lighting. SBW Halo stool. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Custom barbecue joinery by WOWOWA. Light from Koda Lighting. SBW Halo stool, chairs and sofa. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Interior design and custom joinery design by WOWOWA. Joinery by Evolve Interiors. Falcon Chair from Modern Times. Sofa by Jardan, Loom rug, SBW ottoman and coffee table. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Interior design and custom joinery design by WOWOWA, built by Evolve Interiors. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Interior design and custom joinery design by WOWOWA, built by Evolve Interiors. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Interior design and custom joinery design by WOWOWA built by Evolve Interiors. Crisp light by Rich Brilliant Willing from Koda Lighting. Appliances by Fisher & Paykel. Iriede tiles from Academy Tiles. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Vintage drinks tray and coasters. Iriede tiles from Academy Tiles. Mapei jade green grout. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Kai Kristiansen Model 42 chair from Modern Times. Crisp wall light by Rich Brilliant Willing from Koda Lighting. Iriede tiles from Academy Tiles. Parquetry floors by Andrew Urbaniak. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Bitossi ceramics. The vintage original ’60s painting and ’70s pewter wine goblets are both family hand me downs. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Akoya 14 pendant light by Rich Brilliant Willing from Koda Lighting. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
‘Zeus’ artwork by Heather Stewart. Falcon Chair from Modern Times. Sofa by Jardan. Loom rug. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
‘Fish Mouth’ artwork by Richard Glasson. Gouge artwork by Sara Willett. Tuscan Watercolour artwork by Dorothy Cuming. Bridget Bodenham vase. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Brick base on fireplace by Brickworks. ‘Fish Mouth’ artwork by Richard Glasson. Gouge artwork by Sara Willett. Tuscan Watercolour artwork by Dorothy Cuming. Bridget Bodenham vase. Nicolette Johnson vase. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Rug by Halcyon Lake. Sofa by Jardan. Coffee table and yellow chair by SBW. Original drawings by Virginia Hodgkinson. Vintage French lamp from Angelucci 20th Century. Tretford peacock carpet from Gibbon Group. The leather wingback is a vintage ’60s family hand me down that’s been reupholstered. Vintage Featherston Contour Chair purchased Luther & Co. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Philippe Starck pendant. Interior design and custom joinery design by WOWOWA built by Evolve Interiors. Tretford peacock carpet from Gibbon Group. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Tretford peacock carpet from Gibbon Group. H. W. Klein for Bramin vintage leather swivel chair by purchased by Modern Times. Portrait by Richard Glasson. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Wall light by Mondoluce. Figurative paintings by Virginia Hodgkinson. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Adeona mosaic tiles from Academy Tiles. Velvet curtain from Bradley’s Curtains & Blinds. Crisp wall light by Rich Brilliant Willing from Koda Lighting. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
Custom joinery design by Wowowa built by Evolve Interiors. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling by Ruth Welsby.
