Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, a three-bedroom residence offers a captivating blend of Tuscan and Puglian villa charm, slowly unveiling its treasures to those who step inside. From the street, the home presents a striking, almost enigmatic facade. It’s a masterful exercise in restraint, featuring a windowless grey exterior that offers no hint of the warmth and elegance concealed within. Pine-cone urns perched atop rendered walls are the only subtle clues, hinting at the sophisticated interiors. As designer David Hicks explains, “Not having windows on a façade creates a sense of mystery and privacy. It enables the building to read sculpturally.” He also notes a particular fondness for “concealing a home’s entry,” a design choice that immediately imbues the property with an air of intrigue.
Though the entrance is artfully tucked away, its reveal is nothing short of spectacular. Upon entering, one is greeted by the cool elegance of Ceppo marble flooring, complemented by intricate wall mouldings. A vintage Murano ruched-glass chandelier casts a warm glow, illuminating a mid-century Vittorio Dassi table. This opulent foyer marks the beginning of a journey through the home, a path that eventually leads to a light-filled, open-plan living space. Here, French doors, mirroring those subtly present on the exterior facade, open onto a secluded garden, forging a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living and bathing the interiors in abundant natural light. The home’s design is a harmonious balance of simple, pared-back architectural forms and decorative flourishes, embodying the romance of “la dolce vita” with a distinctly modernist sensibility.
This remarkable home represents the second collaboration between David Hicks and its owners. In 2020, Hicks was involved in designing the neighbouring heritage weatherboard homestead. The owners, having subdivided their property on the western side, were seeking a fresh start and a more manageable living space. Hicks identified the adjacent greenfield site as the perfect opportunity for his clients, who were looking to downsize and embrace a new chapter. With its picturesque leafy outlook and convenient proximity to town, the decision was swift. “Our brief was for a smaller but still spacious house with open-plan living, an easy flow and outlooks to the garden from all the rooms,” the owner shares. “David suggested an Italian villa influence, which we loved.”
Beyond ample light and air, the couple desired a private main bedroom suite, thoughtfully separated from the main living areas. This retreat would be accessed through a dedicated study/retreat space, with a guest bedroom strategically located far from the master. Hicks drew inspiration from “modest Italian villas, where the facades are relatively plain and have small decorative touches.” He elaborates, “They are often rendered or in stone, which both weather over time. Doors and windows are minimal on the facade, often with informal access through a front room, which takes you to one room and then another. This model enabled us to limit corridors, which reduced valuable floor space.”
The entry vestibule thoughtfully provides access to a garage on one side. A short central hallway on the right guides residents further into the home, flanked by the study/retreat to the left and a guest bedroom opposite. This hallway culminates in a breathtakingly light-filled living area. A striking feature along the western facade is a second walkway, ingeniously designed with banks of French doors on one side and an open connection to the main bedroom, retreat, and other spaces on the other. “We used this French-style enfilade planning, room upon room, to provide a link from the living space through the retreat to the main bedroom,” Hicks explains. “Concealing the bedroom suite this way ensures privacy. And the retreat serves as both a private sanctuary and a social connector.”
Within the retreat, a marble fireplace adds a touch of classic elegance, beautifully paired with an Eames lounge chair. A stunning Serge Mouille six-arm pendant light fixture draws the eye upwards, while garden-facing French doors, softened by delicate white linen curtains, invite the outdoors in. Curves, cornicing, and bulkheads are subtly echoed throughout the home, adding a cohesive architectural language. Beyond this tranquil space, the walkway opens into the main living area, a canvas of lime render and marble, adorned with an inspired collection of vintage and modern furniture and art.
In homage to the home’s Tuscan muses, the owners sought simple yet earthy textures. The exterior features a limewash finish, while the interior boasts a crafted plaster finish that “provides a subtle, informal feel. It creates texture and echoes the facade,” according to Hicks. For the bathrooms, he opted for microcement, achieving a similar aesthetic while offering the practical advantage of being waterproof. “These diverse materials create harmonious, streamlined finishes, so various spaces inside and out meld into one,” he notes.
While many Italian-inspired homes might feature traditional flagstones, tumbled stone, or parquet flooring, Hicks chose a more contemporary approach with wide timber boards. The luxurious inclusion of diverse marbles throughout the home further references its Italian villa inspirations. “Simple or not, most rural homes are adorned with marble as it is a primary construction material,” he explains. “It creates pattern and texture and is a durable surface – something that will age and patina over time, becoming even more beautiful.”
“Quality finishes and fittings, together with specially sourced pieces and David’s attention to detail, make this a special and beautiful home,” reflects the owner. “It’s really easy to live in and perfectly suits our lifestyle.”
The Design Team
- David Hicks: davidhicks.com
- Paul Bangay: paulbangay.com
