A young family has turned an unfinished house into a vibrant, character-filled sanctuary.
by Sarah Ellison
doubles as our
work-from-home
space,” says Lafian,
who upholstered the
vintage Cesca chairs.Armelle Habib
The home
A contemporary, two-storey house with three bedrooms in Melbourne’s west.
Who lives here
Chrissy Lafian, founder and creative director of fashion and homewares label Suku Home, her husband, Christopher Zancan, a senior business analyst, their son Enzo, 4, and Papi the Pomeranian.
What we did
“The house was only 80 per cent complete when we bought it, so we got professionals to finish the kitchen and the landscaping but did cosmetic finishes such as plastering and painting ourselves,” says Lafian.
Our favourite room
“The light-filled, openplan kitchen, dining and living space,” says Lafian. “I love that everything centres around the kitchen as we cook and host a lot.”
The ’hood
“We didn’t know this suburb until the day we came to inspect the house, but it has everything we need: a good primary school, a community centre and garden, a dog park, a tennis court and a children’s playground.”
Future plans
“The front yard is next. I’d love to create a proper garden with a glasshouse, a seating area and a fire pit.”
Best advice
“Dress a room the way you dress yourself, full of your own character,” says Lafian. “That’s why I mix in pieces that have meaning, like art from friends or things I’ve made, alongside good design.”
decide which walls to plaster,” says Lafian. The yellow chair is from Mood Objects.Armelle Habib
soften the space,” says Lafian. Enzo sits on a Normann Copenhagen “Bit” stool.Armelle Habib
a collab with Japanese artist Kanoko Takaya, in Enzo’s plywood-lined bedroom.Armelle Habib
ALPI ‘Sottsass Orange’ timber veneer from Elton Group,” says Lafian.Armelle Habib
The painting is by local artist Ami Morris and the vintage “Flerbelle” sofa from Good Space.Armelle Habib
