Stephen Mendel, co-founder of GlobeWest, and his wife Tanya have a deep understanding of furnishings, which made their home renovation project both challenging and rewarding. The couple worked with interior designer Simone Haag to reimagine their southeast Melbourne home, blending their existing art and furniture collection with new pieces and customisations. The result is a space that feels layered, personal, and quietly resolved, balancing familiarity with moments of surprise. The project focused on refining the existing layout rather than a complete transformation, as the house already had a strong identity. The key was to edit and recalibrate, addressing underutilised areas like the whisky room, which was transformed with patterned wallpaper and softer textiles. The once seldom-used bar was given a new lease of life with a dark, walk-in pantry and a large skylight. A children's rumpus room was reimagined as a gym, and the living room now features statement wallpaper on the ceiling, plush carpet, and a curated art wall. GlobeWest furniture is dotted throughout the home, complemented by custom-made pieces and the Mendels' existing art collection, which includes African artefacts, contemporary works, antique ceramics, and hand-carved sculptures. The cohesive palette used throughout the home, featuring earthy neutrals, softened greens, rich timbers, and tactile textiles, creates a sense of warmth and depth. The project was a nuanced collaboration, with Haag leaning into the Mendels' knowledge while introducing moments of disruption through materiality and customisation. The result is a home that reflects the couple's personal history and way of living, and they feel a renewed connection to it. The renovation process became one of careful editing and recalibration, and the final result is a space that feels both familiar and surprising, with existing pieces reimagined and new interventions sitting comfortably alongside them.
