The home
A double-fronted Victorian weatherboard terrace with five bedrooms in Melbourne’s inner east.
Who lives here
Monique McCutchan, tea merchant and co-founder of Monista Tea Co, her husband Matthew Hibbins, a lawyer, with their children Emma, 15, Angus, 13, Eleanor, 11, plus Basil the dog and Leo the cat.
What we did
“In 2019, we rebuilt the rear with a second storey,” says Monique. “Our brief to architect John Watkins and decorator Adelaide Bragg was for a classic and timeless design that would complement the front of the house.”
My favourite room
“The front sitting room as it’s the perfect place for reading, conversations and drinking tea. It is filled with books about history, gardens and art, which provide inspiration for my tea creations.”
The ’hood
“We love Hawksburn village shops,” says Monique. “Our favourites are Bistro Thierry, Manon Bis and KittyK boutique.”
Future plans
“Only to enjoy this home for some time. We’re now doing significant renovations to our country home, also with Adelaide Bragg’s help.”
Best advice
“Do it once and do it well, and also enlist the help of professionals, as it’s less expensive than costly mistakes,” says Monique.
“My favourite chair is referred to by the children as ‘the monkey chair’,” says Monique. “It’s where I spend a lot of time writing stories for our tea blends.”Credit:Armelle Habib
“The grotto was one of the original features of the home, and we enhanced the area by building a parquetry deck off the conservatory,” says Monique.Credit:Armelle Habib
“I can’t imagine a world without tea,” says Monique. “From a young age, I’d drink it with my oma, made in the copper teapot she brought here from Holland.”Credit:Armelle Habib
“This is the third home we’ve owned in this street; every time we had another child, we upgraded,” says Monique. The door is painted in “Seaborne” by Dulux. Credit:Armelle Habib
“My butterfly cloche in the sitting room was created by Melbourne based artist and entomologist Jason Penfold. Each month I turn it around to see it from different angles.”Credit:Armelle Habib
Monique with Leo her Ragdoll cat in the elegant formal rear garden which was designed by Julian Ronchi. Credit:Armelle Habib
“I think a master bedroom should always be a calm and serene place,” says Monique. The curtain and bed cushion fabric are by Lewis and Wood, from Elliott Clarke, Credit:Armelle Habib
The dining room features a large orb pendant from Cromwell Furniture and an antique French fridge cabinet. The arched double doors lead through to the conservatory.Credit:Armelle Habib
“A child’s behead that tells a story is magical,” says Monique of the ‘Darius Horse’ fabric on Eleanor’s bedhead. The lamp is from Adelaide Bragg & co.Credit:Armelle Habib
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