Emily Gillis Design has reimagined a classic Californian bungalow in Melbourne’s Elwood, transforming it into a serene retreat for a family of five. Inspired by classical European interiors, the home features a selection of elegant Maxalto furniture pieces that complement a textured, neutral palette where natural materials come to the fore. The result is a refined blend of contemporary design and classical sophistication.
In partnership with Space Furniture
In an exclusive conversation with founding interior designer Emily Gillis, we delve into Elwood Residence’s defining features, including its elegant palette and the integral role of classical furniture pieces. “The aim was to strike a balance between sophistication and warmth, creating a welcoming atmosphere,” explains interior designer Gillis. Offering both retreat and privacy, sophistication and comfort, beauty and practicality, the Elwood Residence by Emily Gillis Design is poised to anchor family life for years to come.
Can you paint us a picture of the surrounding Melbourne neighbourhood?
Emily Gillis: The home is located in the beachside suburb of Elwood, with the ocean just a few minutes walk away. The street is lined with established plane trees and an arrangement of other Californian Bungalows similar to this home, which are typical to this suburb.
What inspired your overall design approach for transforming this Californian bungalow into a serene family home?
Emily Gillis: We wanted the home to feel revived and expanded in a nature that was harmonious with its existing condition. We retained the original footprint of the house, making only minimal changes by rearranging interior walls and adjusting room layouts where necessary to suit the needs of this busy family of five. At the rear, we added a generous extension to create a casual social hub that houses the living and kitchen areas. This space seamlessly connects to a terrace, which can also be accessed from the formal living area, forming a cohesive indoor-outdoor gathering zone perfect for both entertaining and everyday family life.
A spacious master retreat was carefully positioned at the front of the house, reclaiming an old bedroom and stairwell, while the young children’s rooms and a rumpus area were tucked away upstairs for privacy. The design strikes a delicate balance—effortlessly accommodating large social gatherings while providing intimate retreats for each family member.
Maxalto pieces feature prominently in this home. What drew you to this brand, and how did you select the specific pieces?
Emily Gillis: I was drawn to the Maxalto range for its timeless appeal—their pieces feature classic silhouettes that seamlessly complement modern environments. Their proportions are beautifully balanced with an emphasis on comfort which certainly ensures longevity.
The Kalos armchair sits modestly in the corner of the main living room atop a heavy, hand-woven fiber rug. Chosen for its comfort and the gentle curve of its arms, it’s dressed in a linen slipcover with a skirt for added softness and practicality. The slipcover is removable, making it easy to wash and lending a relaxed aesthetic to the space.
In the more formal living room, a pair of Febo armchairs in creamy grey velvet add an air of refinement. The velvet extends to cover the chair legs, introducing an elegant touch that enhances the room’s formal character. For the dining area, the Febo dining chairs, upholstered in warm leather, offer the perfect balance of comfort and sophistication. They surround a custom sculptural timber table, stained to complement the chairs, creating a cohesive and inviting dining space.
“The furniture pieces selected are of really high quality, with softer profiles so as not to interrupt the movement in the house.”
– DESIGNER, EMILY GILLIS
A considered selection of furniture, lighting, and artwork elevates this home. Can you explain the process behind the furniture selection and how these pieces contribute to the home’s overarching sense of sophistication and warmth?
Emily Gillis: With a relatively neutral base palette, we used furniture and decorative elements to introduce texture, color, and warmth while weaving the client’s personality into the spaces. Soft greys, blues, and creams were complemented by warm timber tones in the furniture and brass accents in the lighting and door hardware.
We had the client’s existing B&B Italia Tufty-Time sofa reupholstered and then expanded on, which set the tone for the furniture pieces being items that sat harmoniously with the more classical nature of the house but with a modern twist, which in turn led us to Maxalto.
“The proportions of Maxalto’s pieces are beautifully balanced with an emphasis on comfort which certainly ensures longevity.”
– DESIGNER, EMILY GILLIS
How did you balance the home’s historic character with contemporary influences?
Emily Gillis: The historic character of the home was preserved wherever possible and thoughtfully referenced in many elements of the new design. A particularly charming detail—a soft radial corner on several columns in the old bay window of the former family room—was carried through to the new extension, where similar corner junctions were incorporated into the key kitchen and living elevations. This motif was also reinterpreted in the double bullnose island bench and other stonework throughout the house.
The profiles of the new cornices and trim details echoed those from the original home, while the large windows and doors of the extension were designed to honor the house’s history through their careful detailing. To ensure the new design felt both harmonious with the old and distinctly contemporary, modern elements were subtly woven throughout. A square-profile stone fireplace, minimalist joinery, and a pared-back, light palette brought a fresh and modern sensibility to the interiors, ensuring they remain timeless and relevant. We aimed to craft a home that feels both refined and inviting, with a design and material palette that will gracefully age and evolve alongside the family’s needs over time.
Lastly, how did the homeowners’ needs and preferences influence your choice of furniture and materials?
The homeowners guided the emphasis on finishes and materials that were family-friendly, durable, and of high quality. This focus influenced the selection of warm timber floors, designed to gracefully age with the activity of a busy household.
Storage was thoughtfully integrated, allowing the family’s belongings to be easily tucked away. The floor plan was designed to be both uncomplicated and fluid, while also providing opportunities for separation when needed.
The furniture pieces are of exceptional quality, with softer profiles that preserve the home’s natural flow. Each piece is upholstered in durable fabrics and warm tones to simplify maintenance and minimise visible wear. Timber tables were chosen for their ability to age elegantly, while the kitchen and bathroom stones offer easy-to-clean surfaces that develop a beautiful patina over time.
Founder and Designer Emily Gillis
