Relaxed Opulence
The Springate home in Dalkeith combines maximalist interior design over three levels with a secret garden, front and back.
ARCHITECTURE + INTERIOR DESIGN + STYLING Springate Homes & Renovations • IMAGERY Jody D’Arcy • WORDS Elizabeth Clarke
In the words of the legendary American magazine editor Diana Vreeland, "the eye has to travel", a saying that perfectly encapsulates Jason and Jo Springate’s Dalkeith home. The couple are the owners of Springate Homes & Renovations, so setting their own brief was simple.
“We needed it to be a family home with a flexible floorplan for multigenerational living and entertaining,“ says Jo. “We have a daughter in her final year of her Master of Architecture and a son in his first year, and we wanted a home we could all enjoy being together in but with some separation when required. It also needed to be elegant, warm and inviting with high ceilings, natural luxurious materials, and an abundance of natural light.”
Nestled in affluent Dalkeith, the home commands views over a large landholding with lush botanical gardens. The southern front elevation captures beautiful vistas of Cruickshank Reserve, mature trees, and the Swan River beyond.
“The home features traditional elements that blend seamlessly with the suburban landscape, surrounded by Tudor revival homes from the 1920s and ’30s,” says Jo, who describes the design as ‘French Provincial-inspired with a stylistic twist’.
“I aimed for a restrained maximalism that incorporates traditional decorative elements, such as plaster arches, ceiling roses, cornices and panelling, without overpowering the space. This allows the artworks and soft furnishings to shine, especially since we have a large collection of vibrant art that we wanted to showcase.”
The home spans three storeys. The ground floor has entry spaces, a formal lounge, kitchen, scullery, laundry room, dining and living areas, a study, guest suite and a garage, all arranged in an open-plan layout that flows into outdoor spaces. The second floor offers more privacy, with a master suite, three additional bedrooms with bathrooms, a central lounge, and a shared balcony that overlooks the garden and park. On the upper storey, Jo and Jason’s daughter lives in a bright, spacious loft that includes a bedroom, bathroom, an architecture studio, and a custom kitchen. Large dormer windows, high vaulted ceilings and Velux skylights pull in plenty of natural light.
“By designing the home over three storeys with a loft in the mansard roof, we were able to retain an abundance of open space on the site while creating a unique home that met all our requirements,” says Jo. “The different storeys create the separation we need while still being connected to one another.”
Her favourite space is the formal lounge, off the double-height entry at the front of the home. “It’s perfect for relaxation and conversation and has gorgeous views over the front garden,” Jo says. Its pared-back yet opulent design, crafted with beautiful materials and classical finishes, informed the rest of the house.
“Though traditional in style, it’s playful with plenty of personality,” Jo says. “There was an intentional selection of charming and sophisticated light fittings, particularly the gorgeous Talia chandelier by Julie Neill, and vibrant gold curtains to reflect these design goals.”
Jo wove natural, luxurious materials with rich accents throughout the spaces. These included French oak parquet floors, quartzite stone, painted cedar doors, Elba marble, bespoke wrought iron and quality brass fixtures. Plaster cornices and ceiling roses were added throughout, with lighting selected in collaboration with The Montauk Lighting Co. The exterior features a warm cream paint scheme paired with white cedar doors and windows, complemented by charcoal clay roof tiles and cobblestone paving, perfectly softened by lush landscaping.
Jo prioritised her kitchen design around her love of cooking and entertaining. The space has durable quartzite stone on the benchtops and splashbacks, along with black-and-white lacquered cabinetry and brass accents. A large wraparound bench offers ample seating and there are built-in double fridges, a wall of ovens, microwaves and warming drawers, with careful attention to storage and usability. In the scullery are a built-in freezer, an additional dishwasher, a pantry, oven, and a custom brass zip tap.
A cedar sash window provides a servery to the outdoor entertaining area, which is separated from the house by stone flooring, creating the sensation of being in the garden rather than inside. Surrounded by mature gardens and greenery, the outdoor space features an automated louvred roof and blinds, allowing the family to enjoy their built-in outdoor kitchen year-round.
The property incorporates a classically beautiful garden that includes a citrus orchard at the front, along with lavender, gardenias, and perennial flower beds. In the rear garden are frangipani, magnolia and wisteria trees, as well as a swimming pool with water fountains.
"It very much feels like a secret garden," Jo says. Just like her home’s interior spaces, it invites exploration and visual discovery. Diana Vreeland would most certainly have approved.
A Talia chandelier by Julie Neill from The Montauk Lighting Co. and lush golden drapes add glamour in the lounge space. The Aspect Library sconces by Barbara Barry are also from Montauk, the Parker Chairs are by Arthur G, the cushions are from Empire Home and the wrought-iron coffee table is a custom design.
Solid French Oak parquetry from Woodpecker Flooring grounds the home’s spaces. A custom stone step is crafted in luxe Superwhite Quartzite and the wrought-iron balustrading is custom-made in an antique finish.
Looking through the arches at the dining space, a blend of textures creates a feeling of pure elegance.
The lounge and dining spaces are brought to life with sensational lighting design from The Montauk Lighting Co.—Thomas O’Brien’s Ziyi Chandelier and Picture Light and wall sconces by Kate Spade and Barbara Barry. The sofas and coffee table are by Arthur G and the artworks by Pamela Brittain and Françoise Nielly.
An Escea smart-wired gas fire is framed by Superwhite Quartzite and an elegant timber mantle. The Ziyi Chandelier is from The Montauk Lighting Co., the vase from Georg Jensen, the candle holders are from Maison Balzac and the artwork is by Pamela Brittain.
In the office, black custom panelled lacquered cabinetry and a desktop in Caesarstone Empira White are gently accessorised with brass handles from Lo & Co. The Harold Carver Chair is by Arthur G and the La Mer vase is from Loam.
Custom panelled lacquered cabinetry, brass handles by Lo & Co and Superwhite Quartzite by CDK Stone create a stunning backdrop for everyday life and entertaining. The Melange Elongated Sconce is by Kelly Wearstler from The Montauk Lighting Co. The appliances are from Miele.
Custom painted cedar windows draw the garden into the kitchen. The Franke Impact Granite double sinks and the Sussex Scala Brass pull-out sink mixer are from Reece.
Peering into the kitchen from the laundry reveals a beautiful contrast between solid French oak parquetry and Elba marble tiling from Artedomus. The 900mm oven is by ILVE.
Luxurious materials, textures and classical hues combine to create a serene and timeless kitchen space.
Light floods through the cedar dormer creating a dramatic statement. The bright yellow cushions are from Empire Home.
The dining space opens up to the garden through vast double French doors. Thomas O’Brien’s Ziyi Chandelier from The Montauk Lighting Co. floats above a dining setting by Arthur G.
The alfresco area is as elegant as the home’s interiors. The table setting is by Fermob from Patio & Balcony Outdoor Living. The Laminex cabinetry is topped with Caesarstone benchtops and the appliances by Artusi.
An automated louvred roof keeps Vincent Sheppard’s outdoor setting and a Fermob Mooon! Light in the shade. Both are from Patio & Balcony Outdoor Living. The paving is in charcoal dolomite.
The deep-set swimming pool features Spanish pale blue tiles and is surrounded by charcoal dolomite paving.
"I aimed for a restrained maximalism that incorporates traditional decorative elements, such as plaster arches, ceiling roses, cornices and panelling, without overpowering the space.”
—JO SPRINGATE, Springate Homes & Renovations
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