At Home with Kalu Edmunds & Royce Akers
Images by Jack Carlin · Interior design Shelby Ann Studio
Eight years ago, Kalu Edmunds and Royce Akers moved from Collingwood to a quieter pocket of Preston in Melbourne's north, just a month before the arrival of their second child. While the move to somewhere decidedly more suburban took a little getting used to, they've come to love the space, community and proximity to the Merri Creek.
Now home to Kalu, Royce, their children Nushi and Billy, and small dog Chip, the house has recently emerged from a renovation, layered with vintage furniture, art, collected objects and pieces designed especially for the space. We visited the family at home to talk renovations, creative work, living with old things and the rituals of family life.
On their home in Preston…
"We moved to Preston from Collingwood eight years ago, about a month before our second kid was born. It felt very quiet and suburban and we weren't sure we were ready for that. Turns out we were.
The house sits halfway up a hill with parks at the top and bottom, and a path to Merri Creek behind us, with a handy gate at the back. The views are really great, especially at dusk. It's a really lucky place."
On renovating for the first time…
"Renovating for the first time was a lot like bungee jumping for the first time. Not that either of us have done that.
There's a lot of psyching each other up before the plunge, then what comes next is epic. There's a long and drawn-out period in which you fall and feel more and more stretched, but seeing very skilled people working really hard to help you create a beautiful home is very humbling and incredibly special.
Watching it come together through all the problem solving and course correcting is miraculous. So to complete the bungee analogy, you do eventually make it all the way back up again, and more, even if a bit sweaty and exhausted afterwards!
We are really happy we persevered with some of our initial design features, as they're what makes the space feel really special. But we were also happy to be flexible along the way when it made sense to be.
The ride was a little bumpy and terrifying, but it's exhilarating and rewarding to live in and experience it every day now."
On their bedroom, kids & work…
"Our bedroom has definite mood and drama, while also being really restful and calm. Our wardrobes are covered by floor-to-ceiling curtains, which feel theatrical, and we like that.
Natural light comes in through the original Deco windows with a view directly onto the front garden. An absolute favourite feature is the repurposed original front door, with its geometric coloured leadlight glass. It was salvaged and customised, and the morning light coming through it is one of the first things we see from bed.
We have a brushed bronze pendant and two Murano glass wall sconces, which are also big mood-setters. We have a king-size bed and our kids still like to barge in most mornings, which we're trying to enjoy while it lasts."
The children's rooms take a lighter approach, with fresh blue walls and their own glossy ceiling colours. Our daughter is starting to find her own style, both in her clothes and her decorating, and that's been fun to watch. Our boy doesn't hang out in his room much. He likes company and being amongst whatever's going on, and flying paper aeroplanes across the lounge room.
Kalu is the founder of custom vintage furniture house Mood Objects, which she started while on maternity leave during the lockdowns. Her work centres around reclaimed and restored vintage pieces alongside customised sofas, with pieces finding their way into homes, hotels and projects by interior architects and designers around Australia. "Saving things from going to landfill and turning them into objects of comfort, then seeing them end up in some really cool projects and homes, is extremely rewarding."
Two of Kalu's favourite pieces in their own home are ones she created herself: a bespoke cork dining table made using vintage cork desk tops, and a curving custom sofa designed especially for the space.
Royce is co-founder of single-origin black pepper brand Pep, which he describes as "not a bad gig if you like cooking, eating and talking about food." Previously, he was an editorial director at Vice Media, co-wrote a cookbook with chef David Verheul and has presented at creative conferences including Semi Permanent and SXSW.
On the pieces they've collected…
"A custom painting from our good friend Gian Manik is a favourite. It's of a level quarry, and we're pretty obsessed with any form of stone.
We have other special artworks from friends and family, including pieces by Charlotte Ghaie, Christopher Hewitt and Leah Jackson, and many, many ceramics by our sister Chela Edmunds of Takeawei.
Often artworks are acquired to mark a special occasion, anniversary or achievement. We recently picked up a great piece by Kate Dolan, and my favourite giant ceramic pearl stool and plinth by Hilary Green was a housewarming gift to myself."
On their interior style & life in Preston…
"Eclectic, interesting and personal. A mix of old and new, but mostly old, with things rich in history and story. There are lots of one-off pieces, or things we've collected that add layers and richness. Too many new things can make a space feel shallow and cold. There's a story behind almost every piece."
Coffee in bed, and cuddles with the kids and Chip. Royce plays some really chill morning music and I love that. The kids are polar opposites. Our son is bouncing off the walls with ideas to engineer and create, nice and early, while our daughter is taking things very slowly and quietly, if no one gets in her way!
"The community vibes are strong. School is close and people are generally happy and chill in the area. Shooting hoops or kicking the footy with the kids at the parks at the top and bottom of the street, and a stroll down to the creek, always feels like such a treat. It's so pretty and rejuvenating."
Local favourites include Joe's Market and Preston Market, coffee or a doughnut at Skinny's, and cheese pies from Joey's Boys.
On enjoying home after the renovation…
"We're looking forward to spending more time in the pool and garden, designed by Miniscapes. We love spending time outside and the thoughtful landscaping, including broken-up vintage marble table tops from Mood Objects repurposed as pavers, ties the whole experience of home together beautifully.
We've been through a lot over the past few years, and we now have our idyllic sanctuary to rest, repair and share with our loved ones."
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