From an early age, interior designer Alicia Racovolis sought to understand the ways in which design can influence how we move through the world and connect with one another. Nurturing a curiosity for Decorative Arts spanning the 17th – 19th Century into a lifelong passion, her eponymous interior design studio creates spaces that adapt and honour historic and classical elements to suit contemporary life.
Racovolis’ appreciation for the art of curation and design is particularly evident in her own home — Toorak Townhouse — exuding warmth, liveability, and the magic that exists when old and new come together seamlessly.
How you experience your home – what does the day to day look like, what needs did it need to cater for?
Alicia Racovolis: I often travel interstate and overseas for work, so this property is my home-base here in Australia.
When I’m in Melbourne, the house serves a dual function as both my home and office. As a business owner, my work and personal life are intertwined— sometimes, inseparable. My experience of the property has certainly been shaped by the architecture of my life as a whole; with the business at the centre of it. When I’m working on a project, I need my environment to reflect a similar level of creativity, and I kept this in mind when designing Toorak Townhouse. It needed to be calm, inviting and something I can visually connect to.
It’s also a place where my family gathers, too. My mum and sister are both creative people who have a strong appreciation for beauty and design, and when they are visiting, a lot of ideas are generated and discussed around the dining table.
What drew you to the house?
Alicia Racovolis: The location of the property was one of the biggest draw cards. It’s original exterior and interior lacked architectural significance and was extremely dated, without a distinct identity of its own, but I saw this as a blank canvas. The intention was always to renovate, and I welcomed the opportunity to create a new story.
There were a couple of features that inspired me from the outset; the property had similar proportions and functionality to that of a London townhouse, which are often long but narrow in width and have multiple storeys. It also boasted an incredible abundance of natural light. I felt inspired to lean into elements of European classicism, and work with the light to enhance the space.
The heart of the home features a La Cornue oven and cooktop with custom steel joinery, Calacatta Vagli marble, micro-cement finish custom joinery, Rose Uniacke Curved wall light, Hans Verstuyft brass spot light and Perrin & Rowe tap alongside Noble Elements ‘Olive’ knobs.
In the dining room, a Spanish dining table from The Vault Sydney commands the room, surrounded by 1940s vintage French Brutalist chairs.
Talk us through your reimagining of the space, how did you approach the redesign and what informed the material and colour palette?
Alicia Racovolis: I wanted to create a home that felt warm, calm and characterful, while exercising some restraint to avoid clutter—this vision informed many of my design choices.
I chose reflective finishes—such as the steel in the kitchen—to diffuse the incoming natural light and flood the room with a warm glow. The material functions as a light installation of sorts; during the day the steel reflects the light in a way that gently illuminates the space. I worked closely with a steel fabricator to achieve a satin-like textured finish that brings out a warmer tone than standard stainless steel. This is a subtle detail but one that brings a great atmospheric quality to the space. I also made spatial changes to open up the floor plan to draw in more natural light where possible.
I chose to use rendered wall finishes throughout the house, which added texture and a sense of movement due to its organic nature. It also evokes longevity; it’s a timeless finish that looks as though it has always been part of the home.
Can you share any inspiration or thoughts behind the use of bold colour and texture in the bathroom?
Alicia Racovolis: I sourced a beautifully tactile, early 1900s stone sink to anchor the space, and was inspired by elements of European classicism. The vibrant, jewel green rendered walls are transportive, and offer an invigorating contrast to the neutral palette used throughout the remainder of the property.
Changing the position of the bathroom also made a difference. It was originally tucked away in a very small, confined space, located near the kitchen. I sacrificed some of the space in the large front living room to accommodate a larger guest bathroom which increased the kitchen blueprint, and this completely altered how the ground floor is used and experienced.
What was your experience of being your own client?
Alicia Racovolis: The main difference was that I had to negotiate creative decisions with myself, and this can be challenging at times! I wanted to experience living with finishes that I tend to incorporate in client projects using materials, such as steel and specialty rendered wall finishes. I am aware that this can be quite the investment, so it has been gratifying to make material and design choices with complete confidence. I invested in a rare Calacatta Vagli stone and a La Cornue oven in the kitchen, for example, and prioritising these features meant I could be minimal with other design choices.
The Living Divani Extrasoft sofa by Piero Lissoni in Panama anchors the lounge area, alongside a black USM modular unit and atop the Armadillo Eden rug.
Alongside an antique 19th Century stone sink from 1st Dibs, sits an Olavi Hanninen Brutalist chair. Hanging above the Perrin & Rowe tapware is an amber glass Louis Poulsen & Poul Henningson pendant light.
How did you approach the curation of furniture, objects and art? When and how did you begin your personal design collection?
Alicia Racovolis: My personal design collection started with a single Pierre Jeanneret chair.
Whether I am sourcing for a project or myself I am drawn to pieces that possess meaning, and I had long admired the designer, the story and craftsmanship. From here my collection expanded. There was a time when I was worried I would have a house full of mismatched chairs! But, I’ve always approached my curation with longevity in mind. I select pieces that I know will outlive trends.
Regardless of period or style, the curation represents my appreciation for art and design across different movements. Some of the more contemporary pieces include Cassina’s Utrecht armchair, Mario Bellini’s Camaleonda and Living Divani’s Extrasoft sofas. I also like to balance this modernity with vintage pieces like the French Brutalist chairs from the 1940s.
Some pieces hold special meaning, such as an urn that was purchased from an unknown artist on a family holiday overseas. It’s made from clay, which was submerged and rotated in a ceremonial fire pit. The surface was marked by the whims of the flames, resulting in a tonal, organic finish.
What are some of your favourite details and pieces in the home?
Alicia Racovolis: I love to cook, so it may come as no surprise that the La Cornue oven is one of my favourite pieces. It’s the heart of the kitchen, and home. There is nothing more meditative than playing some music while I prepare a vongole pasta for friends or host a more elaborate dinner party. The oven arrived while the rest of the house was still being renovated, but I couldn’t wait to test it out and had some friends around to cook for them as soon as it was installed.
The sink in the powder room is another detail that I adore. It reminds me of visiting an ancient European Villa, and almost transports me there for a moment when I use it.
Also, during the renovation I created a small, hammered iron side table named ‘Brut’, which I imagined would work with the design story for the home. I now use it to burn incense on as a morning and evening ritual – it brings me so much aesthetic joy and peace to everyday life.
Anything you’d have done differently, or have in mind for the future?
Alicia Racovolis: This project was a great exercise in trusting my instincts and the often-non-linear creative process. It’s also important to continually step back from the details and remind yourself of the bigger picture and overall aesthetic. These are two things that will continue to shape my way of working for many years ahead.
At the end of a long day, what do you love most about coming home to this space?
Alicia Racovolis: The way the home interacts with natural light is truly magical to live with. It is a place of beauty where I feel inspired to think creatively and relax.
I am also constantly surprised by the seasons and observing how the trees and nature surrounding the property subtly alter the experience of living here. The ivy-clad exterior brings vigour and colour in the summer. In winter, greenery is sparse, but the warmth of the interior colour palette and textural character makes it a comforting retreat.
Interior designer Alicia Racovolis
A custom steel balustrade designed by ARD adds depth and geometry to the space, complemented by the Nemo Applique a Volet Pivotant wall sconce. The space is softened by a Marmarino wall finish and Cassina Utrecht armchair in the corner.
"The way the home interacts with natural light is truly magical to live with. It is a place of beauty where I feel inspired to think creatively and relax."
– Alicia Racovolis
