We love personally crashing every house that we feature but this amazing casa was just too far away (as in, Sydney Australia) to drop in on. Not to worry, we decided that holding back the amazing eye candy was just too cruel, so we opted to “virtually” house crash Max and her husband Peter’s home after they invited us to have a little look-see. They’re the masterminds behind Murchison-Hume, an amazing and eco line of posh cleaning products that are even carried here in the states by shops like Anthropologie (stay tuned for a YHL giveaway with them in April). Max and Peter live in an unbelievably inviting and organized home with their two adorable boys named Charlie and Ben. But enough jibber jabber. Here’s their house. Oh and you might recognize it from this Apartment Therapy House Tour, but we snagged tons of never-before-seen pics so you can enjoy every inch of their home (just keep a napkin nearby to catch the drool).
First we have their kitchen complete with a charming chalkboard wall. They ripped out the old 1980s cupboards in 2007 and replaced them with customized IKEA “Lack” shelving instead. It’s basically an IKEA kitchen with fancy knobs that Max imported from Restoration Hardware. She’s so happy with it, she wouldn’t change a thing. And we think the idea of bringing in Ikea bookcases to create an open pantry is a seriously genius idea. Yeah, we weren’t kidding about the drool factor here.
How much fun is that sweet and functional chalkboard wall that they use for everything from reminders and shopping lists to an “art spot” for the kids? So simple yet so chic.
And speaking of chic, it’s no surprise that their bathroom is sleek and organized- especially since they’re all about keeping everything crisp and clean thanks to their cleaning line. Everything from the diamond paned windows to the gorgeous mosaic floors have us oohing and ahhing up a storm, and simple ideas like storing bathroom stuff in glass containers and on clean-lined ceramic trays can definitely be implemented in your very own home to add some spa to your loo just like Max and Peter did.
As you’d imagine, their laundry room is just as sorted and orderly. Not only do they keep extra cleaning samples on hand, but they even manage to make things like an iron and an ironing board look downright stylish. And even though Max and Peter don’t have a single linen closet (talk about a challenge!) they used an inexpensive Ikea Expedit bookcase to create an organized and functional stash spot for everything from linens to laundry soap and more.
If it weren’t already blatantly obvious, their children are super lucky to enjoy such a cozy and livable home. Case in point, here’s six-year-old Charlie’s room.
Max says: “Charlie’s room is all about toys and access. I bought that another amazing IKEA Expedit bookshelf (a modern classic, if you ask me) and some nice looking baskets and that is how he manages to play in there and tidy his room almost all by himself at the end of each day.”
Gotta love a house that looks good and works so well with little ones- especially when it even encourages them to clean up after themselves!
And we can’t forget about ten-year-old Ben’s room, which also works double-duty as Max’s office during the day.
“Yes, It’s tiny but it keeps me virtually paperless (there’s no room for files). It’s amazing what you can get away with these days…” she says. A woman after my own heart!
We just love how Max accessorizes every surface with things that never feel too precious but always create interesting vignettes (all while keeping function and organization in the forefront of her arrangements).
Here’s Max and Peter’s bedroom. We love the chic asian influences and the simple tone on tone curtains and bedding. It’s certainly not one of those gigantic bedrooms and we love that they prove that it doesn’t take square footage to create something inviting and lovely.
Warning: if you’re anything like us, here’s where the pangs of jealousy will really kick in. As in: owww. Check out their amazing backyard cabana surrounded by their gorgeously lush lawn:
They transformed the garden in 2007 with clean-lined pavers (that happened to be discontinued and on sale) along with a custom made awning. It has virtually doubled their living space and it’s where they do all of their entertaining. Pretty dreamy, eh?
Max says that their yard isn’t large but it’s all that they need. We agree that their private and lush lot proves that less really can be more- especially when it’s so green and gorgeous!
So that’s the amazing casa that we wish we could have shot in the flesh for ya. Thankfully Max’s great photos really paint a gorgeous picture of their home and we’re thrilled to share the virtual inspiration with you guys. What do you think? Are you fighting off those envious feelings? Are you marveling at their smart and economical choices that look like a million bucks? Ikea bookcases in the laundry room, bedroom and even the kitchen! Discount pavers! Chalkboard paint! It’s all pretty genius. What do you guys like best? Let’s play the what’s-your-favorite-part game. And thanks so much to Max, Peter, Charlie, and Ben for virtually opening up their doors to us. Next time we’re in the neighborhood we might just come a knocking for even more photos. Hey, a girl can dream, can’t she?
Psst- Wanna see more House Crashing tours? We have a slew of them right here (no foot wiping or hostess gifts necessary).
Eileen says
Max and Pete – what can I say other than wow???? Your house is truly inspiring – especially when my husband and I are currently in the beginning stages of renovating our very old original miners cottage in regional NSW. Any hints on the colour used for young Charlie’s room? I love it!
Eileen
Renee Smith says
Fabulous house tour!
1. I dig all of our IKEA furniture, and it has held up very well. I like the possibility of changing things without tossing the old to the curb, so washable slip covers and easily replaceable slip covers (in an ever-changing variety of colors and styles) are right up my alley.
2. I was wondering if anyone has any advice about painting textured walls with chalkboard paint. Our entryway wall is pretty heavily textured and I’m nervous about using the paint on it and wondering if I need to scrape it first.
3. For cleaning chalkboard walls I read at another site that dipping a lint free cloth in coca cola and wiping them down gets the walls back to the black color. I like the gray drawn on look, but for those who don’t I thought I’d get the word out.
Jacqueline says
I’ve been using Murchison-Hume cleaning products for a while now (I’m in Australia) – and they’re FANTASTIC!
And what a beautiful home!
x
erin in phx says
help!
i am in love with the color in charlie’s room. i’ve tried to buy a similar shade, but it never ends up looking right. can you suggest a similar paint color? i’m looking for a light, airy color that is kinda sea-foamy, blue-ish… :)
thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
Try Benjamin Moore’s Swept Away, Bali, or Healing Aloe. Of course the lighting in your space matters, but they’re a good place to start. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Rachel says
I love the IKEA shelf ideas – any idea where to find similar baskets? We are planning on purchasing the bookcase as a kid/playroom storage idea and like the baskets for toys
Thanks
Rachel
YoungHouseLove says
Michael’s has some great baskets (and sometimes they’re 40% off!).
xo,
s
cordia says
I love the cubbies for the kids book and toys. I really need to do something like that and that just reinspired me!
CC says
I love the kids’ bunk bed. Where did you get it?
Ryan says
This house is stunning. So natural and practical.
Laurie says
Guys,
Your site is such a treasure-trove…can you tell I’m becoming a number 1 fan?
We are about to put an entire wall of Expedit shelves in a 16 year old’s room, which we’re expanding by knocking the wall out between 2 smaller bedrooms….I am so excited to see these shelves in action, they appear to be as clean and nice in real (err, virtual, in Sydney) life as I am anticipating from the Ikea showroom and catalog.
Good stuff.
Thank you.
Lesley says
This house is great! Love love love the kitchen!! And all the cubby shelving!!! More inspiration :)
Danielle says
We too have a white ikea book shelf for our kids toys and love the baskets you have. Did those come from ikea too? I’ve been looking for ages and have not found the perfect fit for us. Those look great!!
YoungHouseLove says
Those look like the ones from Ikea, but I’m not 100% sure. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
amycannon says
Love the baskets in the ikea book case! Where did you get them?
YoungHouseLove says
I think those are from Ikea! They sell them to fit.
xo,
s
Danielle says
I am in love with this house and the owners even though we have never met I know we would be friends. I am hoping someone can tell me a little about the chalkboard paint? I attempted a chalkboard inside a frame once with the spray but felt like it looked to fine and is difficult to clean/write etc. What kind of paint did they use and strategies for painting it because there’s looks perfect!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s hoping they stop in with some tips for you Danielle!
xo,
s
Shannon says
LOVE LOVE the toy baskets where did you find those!! I have the same shelving system and would LOVE to have those baskets for at least the bottom row filled with toys, etc. :)
YoungHouseLove says
I believe those were from Ikea a while back? Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Joey says
You really have a beautiful home!!!!! Love your decorating style! We just purchased the expedit bookshelf for our kids’ playroom and I would love to fill it out with baskets for all their toys. I don’t really like the ones from IKEA, where did you buy your baskets? I love them :)
YoungHouseLove says
I think those actually used to he sold by Ikea. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Nicole Avesani says
Where did you buy the baskets in the expedit shelf in your sons room? We have the shelf, in black, but haven’t found any suitable baskets for my boys to use… please email me… id really appreciate it! THANK!
Sara says
Can you tell me where they got the white bunk bed?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe scroll back in the comments for that info? Wish I knew!
xo,
s
Kelley says
This is a really late comment, but any chance you could ask the homeowners what type of map that is hanging over the bookshelves? Love the coloring and can’t find anything similar. THanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hope she drops in with that info for ya!
xo
s