The Melbourne home of GlobeWest co-founder Stephen Mendel, reimagined through art and texture: A Case Study in Refinement and Cohesion
The project, led by interior designer Simone Haag, showcases a thoughtful approach to renovation, focusing on refinement rather than transformation. The brief was to enhance the existing 1960s single-storey dwelling, which had already been expanded into a four-bedroom home with a strong identity. The goal was to create a space that felt layered, personal, and quietly resolved, balancing familiarity with moments of surprise.
Haag's strategy involved a careful editing process, addressing underutilised areas and rethinking their purpose. One standout example is the whisky room, transformed with patterned wallpaper, softer textiles, and a more intimate palette, creating a distinct mood and purpose. Similarly, the seldom-used bar was reimagined with a dark, walk-in pantry and a large skylight, while a children's rumpus room was turned into a gym.
The living room is a standout, featuring statement wallpaper on the ceiling, plush carpet, a curated art wall, and a strong use of texture. Haag draws on the home's modernist roots, showcasing GlobeWest limited-edition pieces like the Legacy dining table and Pippa Stripe coffee table. The cohesive palette, earthy neutrals, softened greens, rich timbers, and tactile textiles, grounds each space and enhances the personal feel of the home.
GlobeWest furniture is dotted throughout, complemented by customised and reupholstered pieces in artisanal fabrics, as well as the Mendels' existing art collection, including African artefacts, contemporary works, antique ceramics, and hand-carved sculptures. The art and collected objects largely remain the focus, creating a sense of cohesion, warmth, and depth.
Haag's approach to the project was nuanced, leaning into the Mendels' knowledge while introducing moments of disruption through materiality and customisation. The result is a home that reflects the couple's personal history and way of living, with a renewed connection to the space. The project showcases a thoughtful and refined approach to interior design, where the existing pieces and history of the home are celebrated and reimagined, creating a space that is both familiar and surprising.
