Meow House by Maike Design
Meow House, designed by Maike Design, is a reworked 1960s home for a family and their much-adorned cats!
Words: Hande Renshaw I Photography: Caitlin Mills
Maike Design retained original elements when designing the new interior. Artwork – Benjamin Ewing from House Of Orange. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
The renovated home remains in the original house’s original footprint. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
The interior includes several ‘hidey-holes’ for the family’s two much-loved indoor cats! Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
Inspiration for the aesthetics was drawn from the original house, leading to the inclusion of terrazzo, brass and terracotta. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
Located in Fairfield, close to Melbourne’s CBD, Meow House was an original 1960s home full of charm and character, yet unfortunately the floor plan was not functional for its owners.
The family turned to Maike Design to transform the interior so that it was more open, allowed for family gatherings and also contained spaces and holes for their beloved indoor cats!
‘We completely replanned the existing warren of small rooms, creating a layout that suits the needs of a young family including a shift-worker and two indoor cats,’ says Maike Design.
The design relocated services areas originally at the back of the house to the south of the building, giving clear access to natural light and the backyard.
The new space has been carefully zoned using open shelving to provide interconnected living areas. An oversized central glass door allows the family to close the living space off from the cats and move freely between inside and outside.
Inspiration for the aesthetics was drawn from the original house, leading to the incorporation of terrazzo, brass, terracotta, and pastels including a minty green, peach and light blue.
‘These materials have been re-imagined and incorporated in new ways to create a design that sits comfortably alongside the original and provides surprising moments throughout the house.’
The design of the detailing, materiality and texture add a tangible sense of the hand-made nature of the house.
‘The objective was not to perfect the imperfect old house, but to find and accentuate its charm to create a distinctive, warm family home,’ says Maike design.
Meow House, designed by Maike Design, is a reworked 1960s Melbourne home for a family and their beloved indoor cats. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
Warm timber joinery has been applied throughout the spaces. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
Reconfiguring the existing small rooms has provided clear access to the backyard. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
Warm timber is extended into the bedroom spaces. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
The bathroom features pastel paint colours in minty green, peach and light blue against warm timber joinery. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
“We completely replanned the existing warren of small rooms, creating a layout that suits the needs of a young family including a shift-worker and two indoor cats.”
The owners decided not to extend the home and have retained the generous outdoor space on their block. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
The charming original 1960’s character of the house is seen in the exterior as well as the interior spaces. Styling: Beck Simon. Photo: Caitlin Mills
