A grand Tudor residence reimagined for modern luxury living

Toorak is nationally recognised for its prestigious residential boulevards and historic homes. Originally designed in 1936 by architect Arthur Plaisted, this English Tudor-style residence sits on an expansive landholding with established gardens, a tennis court and heated pool, moments from Toorak Village and Melbourne’s elite private schools.

The renovation sought to balance contemporary luxury with the home’s historic character. Lewisham Interiors preserved the parquetry flooring, decorative mouldings and traditional detailing, layering the home with bespoke furnishings and refined material selections that respected the original architecture.

“We wanted the home to feel luxurious and highly functional while still respecting the history and elegance of the original architecture.”
—  Client

Toorak Interior Design Project Brief

The clients wanted the home to reflect contemporary luxury living while remaining sympathetic to the original Tudor architecture and floor plan. The project began with plans for a new kitchen and butler’s pantry within the lower ground level, alongside the integration of a lift into the original maid’s stairwell recess.

As the project evolved, the scope expanded to include additional ensuite bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas, dining spaces, custom cabinetry, upgraded finishes, refined lighting and integrated technology throughout the home.

Lewisham Interiors was engaged to refine the home’s functionality, preserve its architectural integrity, and develop a cohesive design direction aligned with the property and the client’s lifestyle.

Project at a glance

• Location: Toorak, Melbourne
• Client: Private family residence
• Project Type: Full luxury renovation
• Project Scope: Interior design, kitchen design, bathrooms, lighting, furnishings, joinery and styling

Our design direction

We focused on high-end contemporary luxury with a classic edge, balancing modern comfort with the home’s traditional Tudor framework. The existing parquetry flooring was retained and extended throughout the home, while new mouldings, custom doors and detailed lighting plans reinforced the scale and refinement of the interiors.

Marble surfaces, porcelain slabs and custom joinery introduced a contemporary layer to the home, while crystal chandeliers, bespoke furnishings and tailored window treatments softened the more structured architectural elements. Integrated technology and motorised window furnishings improved functionality without compromising the home’s character.

Key features included:

• Full redesign of the lower ground kitchen and butler’s pantry
• Lift integration across multiple levels
• Ensuite additions to secondary bedrooms
• Retained and extended parquetry flooring
• Marble kitchen surfaces and porcelain bathroom slabs
• Grand crystal chandeliers throughout the home
• Custom furniture and high-end window furnishings
• Bespoke lighting design across all floors
• Integrated motorised window treatments
• Custom joinery and architectural detailing throughout

Project constraints and solutions

This Toorak renovation required planning approval for several exterior modifications, including updates to the home’s windows, lift-well glazing and façade detailing. The basement level also presented significant subfloor ventilation and remediation issues that required resolution before construction could commence.

Within the basement kitchen and living areas, structural columns significantly affected the layout, requiring a complete redesign to improve functionality and flow. Lewisham Interiors worked closely with the builder and trades to integrate structural elements into the cabinetry composition, conceal key columns within wall cavities, and maximise storage in the butler’s pantry and preparation areas.

Toorak’s character and lifestyle

Toorak remains one of Melbourne’s most established prestige suburbs, known for its grand homes, tree-lined streets and architectural significance. Victorian mansions, Tudor estates, Art Deco residences and contemporary luxury homes sit alongside boutique retail, private schools and established gardens.

Its proximity to Toorak Village, luxury retail precincts and some of Melbourne’s most respected private schools continues to attract families seeking refined long-term living environments. Interior design in Toorak often requires balancing heritage character with contemporary expectations for entertaining, storage, and functionality.

Interior design in Toorak and Melbourne’s inner east

Lewisham Interiors creates refined, highly customised homes throughout Toorak and Melbourne’s inner east. With extensive experience across heritage homes, large-scale renovations and luxury residences, the studio brings strong architectural understanding and highly considered detailing to every project.

If you are searching for a Toorak Interior Designer, this project reflects Lewisham Interiors’ ability to deliver sophisticated contemporary living while respecting the architectural integrity of Melbourne’s most established homes.