Inside interior designer Zoe Murphy’s former Toorak home

This article explores the transformation of an old Victorian-era house in Toorak, Melbourne, into a modern and art-filled family home by interior designer Zoe Murphy. Acquired in 2017 by Zoe and her husband, Ben, the house, after 35 years with its previous owner, presented a significant renovation opportunity despite its well-loved but dated 'beige' interiors. Zoe, the principal of Zoe Murphy Creative Office, saw the potential for a grand transformation, noting the house's strong foundational 'bones.' The extensive renovation, initiated in 2020, involved restoring heritage features while adding a contemporary extension to the rear. Architect Cera Stribley collaborated on reconfiguring the internal layout, including bedrooms and bathrooms. A classic grey and green color palette was introduced, complemented by kit-kat-style bricks and tiles. Luxurious materials such as marble were utilized in the bathrooms, and timber floorboards were installed in the kitchen, living, and dining areas to add warmth. Bedrooms were enhanced with sumptuous carpets and built-in robes, making them more comfortable and functional for their children, Myra and Roy. Zoe's expertise in decorating was crucial in revitalizing the property. As a stylist for Living Edge, she skillfully combined period elements with modern art and iconic furniture, creating a vibrant and distinctive family residence. This approach was evident when the house was marketed for resale in late 2022, eventually selling for $4.9 million in December. Zoe described her style as playful and somewhat 'art house,' characterized by bright, cheerful spaces and large blocks of color. She emphasized her preference for collecting sculptural and functional furniture pieces that met these criteria. One significant change was the new extension, which incorporated floor-to-ceiling sliding doors in the living room, dining area, and kitchen, maximizing natural light. The kitchen featured joinery designed by Zoe and installed by Exclusive Cabinets, painted in Dulux 'Deep Rift,' with marble supplied by Signorino. A marble kitchen island was paired with Rigmarole counter stools, designed by Zoe’s brother, Rodney Eggleston. Other notable kitchen elements included a BD Barcelona Design Gardenias vase from Living Edge, a Brodware kitchen tap, and timber veneer by Elton Group. The living room's color scheme was inspired by the Rotazioni rug by Patricia Urquiola for CC-Tapis from Loom Rugs. This space also showcased art like 'Me and the Landscape' by Clare Brodie, PGH Bricks, a Grazia & Co Ivy coffee table designed by Clare Cousins, and a green Jardan sofa, alongside a Flos Snoopy table lamp. The library blended old and new aesthetics with iconic Togo sofas from Domo, HK Living coffee tables from House of Orange, a Gan rug from Hub Furniture, and a Gubi pendant light from Surrounding. The Muuto Compile Shelving System displayed a collection of books and art objects, including a Jeff Koons Balloon Dog. The formal sitting room, also known as 'the library,' featured Dulux 'Timeless Grey' walls, highlighting Zoe's art collection, designer furniture, and a grand mirror. Artworks included 'Ruins' by Stefan Dunlop, curtains by Esenar, and a Monkey Side Table from Living Edge. The living room maintained a family-friendly and colorful ambiance, reinforced by a yellow Roly Poly chair by Faye Toogood for Driade and B&B Italia’s Tufty Time sofa. The bathroom adopted a soft grey-green color scheme, using Dulux 'Lyttelton' for walls and cabinets, with kit-kat-style tiles mirroring the downstairs interiors. Fixtures included a Snelling wall light and Brodware tapware, with wall and floor tiles from Signorino. The separate formal dining room was adorned with a large painting by Paul Ryan, sculptures by Ramesh Mario Nithiyendranthe and Nabilah Nordin on the buffet, and a Troy Emery sculpture on the dining table. Blue Bold chairs by Big-Game for Moustache Editions served as artistic furniture pieces, with walls painted in Porter’s Paints 'Grey Goose.' The backyard was redesigned for a Zen, low-maintenance aesthetic and now includes a garage, replacing a previous pool that had occupied most of the outdoor area. The article also mentions a segment on 'The Block' where contestants Shelley Craft, Alice Stolz of Domain, and Liberty from House 5 visited Zoe Murphy's former home for inspiration. Liberty, who had received criticism for her styling, found the home's sophisticated yet family-proof design inspiring, particularly appreciating the integration of modern twists within a period home. Despite differences in budget, Liberty noted that Zoe's use of varying shades of green demonstrated that successful styling relies on combining décor and color effectively, rather than just financial expenditure. This visit is expected to influence future styling in House 5 on 'The Block'. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #VictorianArchitecture #Toorak #ZoeMurphyCreativeOffice #ModernInteriors #ArtFilledHome #LuxuryDecor #HomeStyling #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #VictorianArchitecture #Toorak #ZoeMurphyCreativeOffice #ModernInteriors #ArtFilledHome #LuxuryDecor #HomeStyling