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55 West Road, Langwarrin South
Coast & Country Edition
In Conversation with Mint
55 West Road, Langwarrin South
Secluded Luxury
An impressive 2.5 acre estate, delivering designer flair, incredible light and unforgettable outdoor spaces.
Bailey White, Associate Director
Quietly nestled on 2.5 acres (approx.), this expertly renovated four-bedroom plus studio residence offers luxurious family living with refined country style in one of Langwarrin South’s most sought-after pockets. A long private driveway winds through native flora, unveiling a secluded haven surrounded by towering gums and dappled natural light.
Grand proportions define the open-plan living and dining domain, where herringbone oak adds warmth and soaring raked ceilings, and Velux skylights capture sky-blue and treetop outlooks. The designer kitchen features ILVE appliances, a marble island, and a butler’s pantry. A barndoor-accented second living area provides a plush retreat, while the main suite boasts a sunlit dual aspect, walk-in robe, and luxe twin-shower ensuite.
Outside, enjoy an inground pool, BBQ kitchen, bar-equipped gazebo, firepit, and expansive lawns. Additional highlights include a separate studio, gym, wine cellar, garaging for up to five cars, and travertine-finished powder room—all just minutes from schools, shops, Peninsula Link, and Baxter Station. ■
For enquiries contact Bailey White 0404 307 902
Beckie White 0419 590 077
MINT DESIGN
We spoke to Darin Bradbury, director at Mint Landscape Design, about creating outdoor spaces that connect architecture, nature and daily life. Known for their refined pool and garden design, Mint brings a poetic, thoughtful approach to landscape.
What made you start Mint Design, and how did those early projects bring your vision to life?
We saw a chance to create a design-led practice that brought architecture and landscape together with more ambition. At the time, there was a real appetite for pool designs that went beyond the standard rectangle - something more expressive, more site-specific. Early on, we focused on showing clients what was possible when you stepped outside the box.
The blend of nature and architecture came from a desire to soften the hard edges of contemporary homes. As architecture leaned into minimalism - glass, concrete, steel - we looked for ways to reintroduce warmth, tactility and softness through planting. Sometimes that meant bold, leafy green structure. Other times it was finer, floral movement. But always, it was about creating balance, texture and life in the space.
How do you make outdoor spaces feel like a true extension of the home?
It starts with function. A design has to work for how people live in their home day-to-day. From there, we think about flow — how you move from the living room to the alfresco, or down a hallway toward the pool. Those transitions should feel effortless. Once the layout is right, we focus on form, rhythm and materials. Planting is never an afterthought. With so many pools, courts and paved zones going in, greenery becomes even more important. We try to lift it to eye level, have it climb vertically, or spill from planters — anything to keep that visual connection to nature, even in more structured spaces.
What advice would you give someone starting a landscape project?
Engage a designer early, whether you’re building new or reworking an existing space.
If you’re designing a new home, bring in landscape thinking once your floor plan is final. It gives you time to get the indoor–outdoor flow right and make sure the architecture and landscape are working together.
For established homes, the approach shifts. It’s more about how you live now, what’s working (or not), and how your garden could support your lifestyle better. A good designer helps you look beyond what’s there and reimagine the space to bring more flow, function and ease.
The more time you give the design to evolve, the more personal and lasting it becomes. In the end, it should reflect who you are and how you want to live — now and into the future.
Has a client ever changed the way you think about design?
One project in particular stands out where the client came to us with a bold vision that challenged our typical approach. They wanted something pared back and minimal but still full of personality. At first glance, that brief sounds contradictory. But the more we leaned into it, the more clarity we found.
We stripped the design back to its essence and committed to one strong idea, running it consistently through the entire site. It reshaped the way we think about restraint, how fewer moves, done well, can actually be more powerful than an overworked scheme. It was a reminder that great design often lies in the edit.
What’s next for Mint Design, and where do you see things heading in your industry?
We want to keep working on projects that push ideas. It’s not about big budgets; it’s about clients with a clear vision and the trust to let us explore it. That’s when the best work happens.
As for the industry, there’s a shift happening. People are looking for more thoughtful outdoor spaces. Less about ticking boxes, more about how it feels to live in them. There’s growing appreciation for the role landscape plays in softening architecture and enriching everyday life. And we’re excited to be part of that evolution. ■
Photo Credit Mitch Lyons
LEARN MORE
Whipped Ricotta
with Crispy Prosciutto and Basil
Albert’s, a cosy, neighbourhood wine bar tucked behind Kings Arcade in Armadale, shares a favourite for you to recreate at home — Whipped Ricotta with Crispy Prosciutto & Basil.
Ingredients
500g ricotta
150ml thickened cream
50ml olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
50ml honey
2 garlic cloves
10g salt
100g prosciutto
Fresh basil leaves, to garnish
Lemon thyme, to garnish
1 baguette
Sea salt & cracked black pepper, to season
Method
1. Make the crostini
Slice the baguette thinly on an angle. Arrange the slices on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Bake at 180°C for about 8 minutes or until golden and crisp. Set aside to cool.
2. Whip the ricotta
Finely grate (microplane) the garlic, then combine it in a food processor with the ricotta, cream, honey, olive oil, and salt.
Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
3. Crisp the prosciutto
Heat a dry frypan over medium-high heat. Add the prosciutto slices and cook until golden and crispy.
Transfer to paper towel to cool and drain.
4. Assemble the dish
Spoon a few generous tablespoons of whipped ricotta onto a serving plate.
Top with shards of crispy prosciutto, then garnish with fresh basil and lemon thyme.
Serve with crostini on the side.
Albert’s Wine Bar
17 Morey St, Armadale
of Montalto The Living Landscape
Within the stunning 80-acre property of Montalto, the kitchen gardens showcase the estate’s commitment to organic, locally grown, and sustainable food systems.
The gardens, originally designed by the acclaimed landscape architect Andrew Laidlaw, have evolved over the years under the careful stewardship of Wendy Mitchell and the current Produce Manager, Julie Bennett. Andrew helped Wendy design and plan the original Piazza gardens in 2002, now affectionately known as Wendy’s Garden.
The Montalto kitchen gardens are a patchwork of unique microclimates and soil profiles, each area contributing to the diverse range of heirloom fruits and vegetables grown on the estate. From heritage raspberry canes and rhubarb plants to citrus groves and seasonal vegetable plots, the gardens are a living landscape of colours, textures, and flavours. The northfacing Piazza gardens, founded by Wendy nearly two decades ago, showcase an assortment of heirloom herbs, edible flowers, and vegetables, easily accessible to the Montalto chefs who harvest throughout the day.
The estate’s dedication to permaculture and organic principles is evident in every aspect of the gardens. No soil is ever turned over or disturbed, and old crops are either twisted out of the soil or cut off at soil height, allowing the earth to retain its natural structure and nutrients. Composting is an essential part of the gardening process, with all green and brown waste kept on-farm and used to enrich the soil.
Julie Bennett is a passionate advocate for rare and endangered heirloom vegetable varieties. “These are the vegetables our grandparents grew and saved seed from with the knowledge that every year, these seeds would grow ‘true to type’ just
as their parent plants had,” she explains. “They were grown for amazing flavour, colour, vigour, disease resistance and for abundance, unlike today’s varieties that are grown for uniformity, even-ripening and the ability to transport well over long distances and to last a long time on a supermarket shelf.”
Bennett’s commitment to seed saving is shared by Wendy and championed by the estate’s chefs, who take the time to create beautiful and respectful dishes that showcase these outstanding varieties. The Montalto kitchen gardens are not only a source of fresh, organic produce but also a vital repository of genetic diversity in an era where 93% of food seed varieties have been lost worldwide.
The gardens thrive under Bennett’s holistic approach, which incorporates organic pest management, companion planting, and crop rotations. The abundance of edible flowers encourages nectar-feeding pollinators and predator insects, helping to maintain a delicate balance within the garden ecosystem.
The estate’s bees and chickens also play a crucial role in the gardens’ success, with the bees pollinating the crops and the chickens providing rich manure for composting.
The Montalto kitchen gardens are a prime example of what can be achieved when a commitment to sustainability, organic practices, and the preservation of heirloom varieties is combined with a passion for exceptional produce. As visitors stroll through the gardens and savour the dishes crafted from the day’s harvest, they are not only experiencing the flavours of the season but also bearing witness to the legacy of the estate’s dedication to nurturing the land and preserving our agricultural heritage.
Visit Montalto this June to sample the freshest seasonal produce lovingly grown in the magnificent Montalto Estate kitchen gardens. ■
Montalto
33 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South
CONFIDENCE BUILDS AFTER RATE CUT
The
ramifications of the interest rate cut on May 20 have clearly injected a greater sense of positivity and
heightened interest in the property market.
While not transformative overnight, this rate reduction has been influential in creating a more encouraging atmosphere, leading to an increase in buyer engagement.
We have seen stronger interest in enquiries and open for inspections, with buyers showing a more decisive level of confidence. This adjustment in rates appears to have stimulated the curiosity of those who had previously been sitting on the sidelines, encouraging them to revisit their purchasing plans with a keener eye. Although this activity hasn't drastically shifted market dynamics, it certainly has spurred measured optimism and a willingness amongst buyers to actively explore available opportunities.
Consistent with what we've observed throughout this year, the market remains balanced, offering fair conditions for
both buyers and sellers. This equilibrium has been a defining characteristic of the 2025 market and continues to hold steady as we progress through May. As winter sets in and school holidays approach, the property market typically enters a quieter phase. Many current listings are aiming to secure sales before this seasonal slowdown takes hold.
If you are considering buying, selling, or simply exploring your options, the current climate presents advantageous conditions to make well-informed property decisions. Our team is ready to provide the guidance you need. For personalised advice or to discuss your property goals in detail, please contact your local Marshall White sales team — we look forward to assisting you in navigating this promising market landscape. ■
By John Bongiorno
From $1,995,000
In Melbourne’s coveted Domain Precinct, First Light will soon unveil a groundbreaking fusion of art and architecture, promising to redefine the concept of luxury living through its innovative design and unparalleled attention to detail.
28 Albert Street, South Melbourne
Developed by Designed by Interiors by
Beachside Bliss
20 Clara Street, South Yarra
The Local Edit
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Concert - 4th June - 7th June 2025
Hamer Hall, 100 St Kilda Road, Arts Centre Melbourne, Southbank VIC 3006
Rising - 4th June - 15th June 2025
Melbourne, VIC 3000
French Impressionism - 6 th June - 5th October 2025
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3006
LUX VIP MELB : Exquisite Fundraising Luncheon at Amphora - 6 th June 2025
740 Bourke Street #Level 1 Docklands, VIC 3008
Gallery Dinner Experience with Phillip Howe - 7th June 2025
21 Morce Ave , Sorrento VIC 3943
Point Nepean Portsea Market - 7th June 2025
Pt Nepean National Park, Ochiltree Road, Portsea VIC 3944
The Birds at Malthouse Theatre - Until 7th June 2025
113 Sturt St, Southbank VIC 3006
Mornington Racecourse Market - 8th June 2025
Mornington Racecourse, 320 Racecourse Road, Mornington VIC 3931
Gloria Festiva - 8th June 2025
Flinders Hall, Cook Street, Flinders VIC 3929
Soul Night Market Mornington - 13 th June 2025
Peninsula Community Theatre, 91 Wilsons Road, Mornington VIC 3931
Regional Farmers Market at Abbotsford Convent - 14th June 2025
1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067
MECCA Loves Charlotte Tilbury: The Greatest Glow on Earth Masterclass - 14th June 2025
Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Dress for Success Victoria Inaugural Gala Dinner - 14th June 2025
Cnr Ploughman Place and Young Street, Frankston VIC 3199
Lightscape at Royal Botanic Gardens - 20 th June - 10 th August 2025
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne, VIC 3004
Sorrento Fire Festival - 21st June 2025
3293 Point Nepean Road, Sorrento VIC 3943
Fondue Chalet at Fed Square - Untill 22nd June 2025
Fed Square, Skyline Car Park, Melbourne VIC 3000
Mount Eliza Farmers' Market - 22nd June 2025
Cnr Mt Eliza Way and Canadian Bay Road, Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Titanic: A Voyage Through Time - Until 3 rd July 2025
206 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Roola Boola Children's Art Festival8th July - 18th July 2025
12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran VIC 3181
Run Melbourne - 13 th July 2025
Melbourne Park Oval, 20 Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne VIC 3004
Top Arts 2025 - Until 20 th July 2025
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3006
Music at McClelland with Marshall McGuire and Genevieve Lacey - 20 th July 2025
390 McClelland Drive, Langwarrin VIC 3910
Orchestra Victoria: Meet at the Market Series - 25th July 2025
The Meat Market, 3 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Beetlejuice the Musical - Until 3 rd August 2025
Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Winter Night Market - Until 27th August 2025
Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Connor's Run - 14th September 2025
Melbourne VIC 3004
Kimono - Until 5th October 2025
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3006
Martin Grant Exhibition - Until January 2026
National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3006
Sorrento
TURNING HEADS IN FITZROY
A NEW BREED OF STANDARD HOTELS FOR EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT, WHERE YOU WANT IT.