James St. Project

James St. Project

Welcome to the James St, Project.

In our latest project we worked with Rebeka Morgan, owner of BuildHer Collective to style her light filled architecturally designed home in Northcote.

Inspired by a recent trip to Palm Springs, Rebeka and her husband designed the house to reflect their love of mid-century design, cleverly maximising the use of land and choosing finishes robust enough to withstand their busy family life.

The homes recycled bricks, terrazzo tiles and walnut timber panelling were the perfect foundation to showcase our latest collection of furniture, homewares and art.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing a series of stying videos & behind the scenes from the project, stay tuned for more.

A Warm Welcome

Moods are set and interiors rejuvenated with the right hue. A delightful composition of colour, shape and texture will create a warm welcome for your home. It’s the winter blues remedy you didn’t know you needed.

Entrance Edit

LUMINERE MIRROR SAPPHIRE

BLUE AGATE TRAY

EMPRESS VASE RIVIERA

BONE INLAY CURVED CONSOLE, STRIPE, BLACK

YUMEMIRU, BLUE AMANDA DZIEDZIC

CHECKERBOARD DHURRIE HALLWAY RUNNER, INDIGO

Gathering Place

STYLE TIP Build depth and character in high-traffic areas by accessorising with cushions, rugs and throws that sport geometric patterns in colours that echo your key furniture pieces.

Living Edit

ROMEO ROUND MARBLE COFFEE TABLE, WHITE

RETRO DHURRIE MUSTARD & GREY

SARDINE VYNKA HALLAM

MULTI GEMS ZULTA CUSHION

ATLAS CRYSTAL VASE CLEAR & AMBER

MARTINI GLASSES SET OF 2, PEACH

Living Edit

PETIT DÉJEUNER WITH WATERMELON ELLE-LOUISE BURGUEZ

CHIC STAYS

BY MELINDA STEVENS

FORMA IX DEBBIE WEINMANN

PINCH ME I’M DREAMING DENISE HOJDYSSEK

BONE INLAY CURVED 4-DRAWER COMMODE STRIPE ALMOND

WINNIE CHAIR CINNAMON

Offset the hardness of white-washed bricks and tiles with tactile timber accents, trailing plants and eye-catching artworks.

SHOP THE LIVING EDIT >

Serving Style

STYLE TIP Create distinction between the preparation and dining zones of an open-plan kitchen by using visual cues to define the boundaries.

An overhead pendant light and strategically placed art will do the trick. Add personality with books, vessels and cheerful flowers.

Dining Edit

FLAT LEATHER DINING CHAIR TEAK & TAN

DONNA MACALDA HEAD VASE, BLUE WITH GOLD X, STEFANIA BOEMI

WILD AGATE QUARTZ TRAY

MORNING SWEETS ELLE-LOUISE BURGUEZ

WOODROW ROUND MARBLE DINING TABLE, VIOLA

STRUT DINING CHAIR TAN

Dining Edit

FLAT LEATHER BAR STOOLS WITH BACK, TEAK & TAN

RINFRESCO (REFRESHMENT) SILVIA ROTUNDO

DUBAI WONDER

BY MYRNA AYAD

TRAVERTINE MARCO BOWL

CALO PENDANT TERRACOTTA WHITE ROPE, 30CM

RATTAN BAR CART OVAL

A restrained palette requires texture, warmth and personality to avoid becoming clinical. “Timber is my go-to for adding warmth.

It’s raw, earthy and natural,” says Rebeka.

SHOP THE DINING EDIT >

Dishing Up Design

STYLE TIP Matte or coloured tapware adds an unexpected element of luxury to the kitchen. Continue the trend by turning empty nooks into moments of magic with art and ceramics sequestered into stylish vignettes.

Kitchen Edit

FROM THIS PLACE DANIELA CRISTALLO

YUMEMIRU, PINK AMANDA DZIEDZIC

PALM BEACH

BY AERIN LAUDER

THE GARDENIA CUP WITH PEAR DOMINIKA KELLER

APHRODITE CRYSTAL VASE BLUSH

PEBBLE OVAL TRAY CLAY

Kitchen Edit

GARLIC PLAIT ALI WOOD

LEATHER STRAPPING BAR STOOL TEAK & TAN

LA PAZ JUG PINK AND YELLOW

ROSE QUARTZ TRAY

CHECKERBOARD DHURRIE ROSE

MARTINI GLASSES SET OF 2 FLAMINGO

People have a tendency to overdress and over-clutter their home –it’s okay not to display everything,” — REBEKA MORGAN

Embrace the interior architecture of your home by transforming natural frames formed by cabinetry, shelves and benchtops into windows of opportunity to display cherished trinkets and treasures.

SHOP THE KITCHEN EDIT >

Sweet Dreams

STYLE TIP Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping ornamentation to a minimum. Achieve visual harmony by opting for bedding, art and accessories in a selection of hues from the same colour family.

“WHEN DECORATING WITH COLOUR, TRY TO STICK TO ONE THEME PER ROOM, WITH JUST ONE ACCENT COLOUR. THIS CONTINUITY HELPS THE EYE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITHIN THE SPACE.

Bedroom Edit

CANDY STRIPE MUSK ZULTA CUSHION

APHRODITE CRYSTAL VASE AMBER & LILAC

DOME CRYSTAL BOOKENT SUNSET

CENA SILVIA ROTUNDO

LOUIE CHAIR, ROSE

PROVENCE GLORY FRANÇOIS SIMON

Bedroom Edit

YUMEMIRU, AMBER AMANDA DZIEDZIC

WOODROW TULIP STUMP

PEBBLE OVAL TRAY DOVE

FORMA III DEBBIE WEINMANN

SLOW DAYS IN CADMIUM YELLOW, MARNIE ROSS

TERRAZZO HOURGLASS STUMP NATURAL

“A home is meant to be lived in, it should move and breath and evolve over time. It isn’t a ‘set-and-forget’ type of space,” says Rebeka.

A restrained colour palette is the best base for bold prints, patterns and colours to pop.

SHOP THE BEDROOM EDIT >

Bedroom Edit

COUPOLE ZEBRA BETSY CHAIR

RIBBON MULTI MOON THROW

TAN MAZE ZULTA CUSHION

PEBBLE TULIP STUMP DOVE

BONE INLAY DECO BEDSIDE ORLEANS

SQUIGGLE BEDHEAD BOUCLE

Alfreso Living

STYLE TIP Elevate your backyard dining experience with understated yet elegant furniture that balances form and function.

Take it even further by trading ordinary plates and tumblers for luxurious glassware and stoneware.

Outdoor Edit

MALIBU DINING TABLE BLACK

CARMELINA PRICKLY PEAR SELLER, PATRIZIA ITALIANO

CARMELINA PLATE PATRIZIA ITALIANO

BREEZE CHAIR BLACK

BLACK MONKEY LAMP SITTING

ROPE SUNSEEKER LOUNGE CHAIR, CORAL STRIPE

Outdoor Edit

MARTINI GLASSES SET OF 2 EMERALD

SUNSEEKER LOUNGE CHAIR BLUE STRIPE

BREEZE CHAIR BLUE

TERRAZZO POT LARGE, NATURAL

MALIBU DINING TABLE WHITE

BREEZE CHAIR WHITE

Get the holiday feeling at home by bringing the resort to you.

Striped loungers, cocktail-worthy coupes and sun-bleached stone accents are up to the task.

SHOP THE OUTDOOR EDIT >

True Colours

WHO LIVES HERE CO-FOUNDER OF BUILDHER COLLECTIVE REBEKA MORGAN, HER PARTNER JOHN AND THEIR 5 KIDS LOCATION NORTHCOTE

BuildHer Collective is dedicated to giving women the confidence to build and renovate on their own, and the home of co-founder Rebeka Morgan is an inspiration for us all.

BY LAURA BARRY

It comes as no surprise that the home of Rebeka Morgan sparks joy.

As co-founder of BuildHer, a collective that empowers women to tackle property development themselves – and a registered builder and residential developer herself — Rebeka knows a thing or two about what it takes to create a beautiful home.

Located in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Northcote, the property boasts natural light, beautiful materials,and ample spaces for Rebeka, her partner John and their five children to relax in.

“We bought a large block of land in Northcote in 2018 that had a gorgeous Edwardian home on it,” says Rebeka.

“We subdivided the block and turned the rear garage entrance into a new (almost concealed) front entrance.” Rebeka and John consulted with architects Bellamo & Cat to draft plans for a detached home with a rich materiality. Naturally, Rebeka and John’s businesses, BuildHerCollective and Beirin Projects, oversaw the eight-month construction process.

JAMES ST. FLOOR PLAN GROUND LEVEL

“How fun is it to be the client and the builder! John and I did everything-from managing the build, to changing the finishes and internal design a number of times,” says Rebeka.

“We love the process of building, styling and design — with every new home comes a new challenge and an incredible journey – and this build was no different.” The hurdle they encountered on this project was trying to fit everything in the house plans onto the compact site, but the problem was soon resolved with clever spatial planning. “The home maximises the land,” says Rebeka.

Aesthetically, recycled bricks, terrazzo tiles and steel windows became integral to the interior vernacular, building a concept that acknowledges mid-century style without being heavily influenced by it. “The materiality of this home needed to be robust enough to withstand a busy family life with lots of children,” says Rebeka, who explains the terrazzo, walnut cabinetry and Cosentino benchtop were the inspiration for her interior palette. “Everything evolved around these materials. I always start with one thing I really love and design from that,” she adds. However, each home Rebeka works on is a little different, each taking style cues from current trends, travels and cultural influences.

“We went to Palm Springs just prior to building this home and I think you can see a little of the mid-century influence shining through,” says Rebeka. “It’s important to have fun as you build; don’t be too serious in your selections and don’t be afraid to commit to the materials and finishes.They should reflect your personality and how you live. So often we see people opt for safe options and compromise their own concepts while trying to achieve mass appeal. This can leave you with a home that doesn’t reach its true potential.”

JAMES ST. FLOOR PLAN LEVEL 1

It’s sage advice from a seasoned pro who has built her business on helping people –and filling a gap in the market.

“I was being asked over and over again to help with builds, to resolve issues or explain problems, and I realised there was nothing around that could explain the many options that are available when building or renovating,” says Rebeka.

Today, BuildHer offers three key courses for women: BuildHer for building and project management, DevelopHer for developing or renovating for profit, and their newest design course, DesignHer.

“We have so much fun in business and building, and we really believe that energy shows up in our homes and lives.

Building as a lifestyle can be incredibly rewarding, and we love that we can help women and their families do this in a way that’s authentic, rewarding, and sustainable long term.”

@BUILDHERCOLLECTIVE BUILDHERCOLLECTIVE.COM.AU