My Houzz: A Fresh Start in a Welcoming 1950s Home

When a newfound freedom brought the promise of a fresh chapter in Carolee Coco’s life, it meant starting again in a different home — a 1950s clapboard house in suburban Melbourne. Embarking on full-time study in psychology meant that income was limited, so she had to be quite savvy and thrifty in her approach to decorating. Additionally, the house needed a significant amount of TLC to bring it up to scratch.

With a little help from her family and friends, a lot of elbow grease and a huge amount of patience, Coco has created a home that perfectly reflects her personality. It’s a space that is just as much about sentiment as it is about beauty. “I believe that interiors are a labor of love and that the development takes time,” she says. “Trying to make it perfect only makes it insincere. My advice would be not to overthink the concept. Instead just work according to your instinct and remember that the more comfort your space gives you, the more comfort it gives to others.”

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Carolee Coco (almost always known as Coco) and her dog, Jimmy Jim
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Size: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Coco says her most challenging design tasks were choosing the wall color and window finishes. To create the color she envisioned, she had a friend mix the paint instead of buying it off the shelf.

“I thought long and hard about the color on the walls. It is a type of aqua but more on the blue side,” Coco says. “I chose it because it’s a very peaceful color and it has a kind of warmth and richness. It is really easy to style using this color. It’s like the sky.”


The photograph of the rat is by conceptual fine art photographer Serap Osman. It creates an amazing focal point (and no doubt talking point) in the living area.


Artwork can be seen on every wall, and in some cases, as here, on the surfaces of furniture, giving the space a creative edge. Coco is responsible for much of the artwork; this piece is by artist Mary Reid.


Coco buys and sells vintage and industrial-style furniture part-time (or “hunts and gathers fine junk,” as she puts it), and her home is a testament to her keen eye. Her love of beautiful, classic furniture has meant that from time to time she has splurged on indulgent pieces, such as this Louis XV Parisian three-drawer nightstand.



Having talented family and friends to call upon for help when decorating a home is a great way to keep spending in check. Coco’s sister-in-law is handy with a sewing machine, and this feather-patterned cushion is just one of the pieces she made.


“This home is full of significant moments: My home has nurtured the sick, housed the homeless and reared young children,” says Coco (pictured). “It is my solace.”


Coco is part of a large, close family, and the fond memories she has of them are reflected throughout her home. The garment in the frame above the bed is Coco’s grandfather’s wedding vest. It was hand sewn by his brother-in-law in Italy, circa 1900s.

Bed linens: Izzy & Popo


This headboard was originally part of an antique fleur-de-lis single bed frame that Coco found in secondhand store Savers. She had metal designer Ruth Cogan turn it into this freestanding king-size headboard.





Here is a beautiful example of how costlier items can be grouped with less expensive finds: An antique Chinese cloisonné plate sits next to a secondhand brass lamp from Savers.

Coco had some invaluable help from friends and family when she first moved in to bring the home up to scratch. “The house has been a work in progress — save and spend, save and spend,” she says. “When the money was there, jobs would get done. We would pull up carpet, fill holes, clean, paint and polish boards. The whole process was like therapy, and without a doubt it was a challenge.”

Plate: The Orient Express


A little romance in the bedroom: The antique shadow box on the dresser contains a vintage wedding veil and headpiece.


“My house is small, but it has a very big heart,” says Coco. “There is something about a lack of space — it often makes for great parties. Family celebrations are often at mine.”






Coco finds a lot of joy in cooking traditional family dishes when there’s a get-together at her home.

No stranger to a paintbrush, Coco painted this image of her pooch, Jimmy Jim. Not only is it a beautiful homage to her faithful companion, but the artwork provides a fabulous shot of color in the kitchen.

Venetian mirror: E.J. Ainger; macramé hanger: Katie Dello


Precious pieces from Coco’s family can be seen at almost every turn, creating a warm, homey feel. “The kitchen table is a vintage cast iron patio table that my father gave me,” she says. “It holds great sentimental value.”

Dining chairs: Grant Featherston


A piece with a great story can really get conversations going over coffee. This Holly Hobbie picture was given to Coco when she was a girl by an older neighbor, Tudor Minnenham. They shared the same birthday.





The spare room has had many lives. It started as an art studio, then it was a kid’s bedroom, and now that Coco is studying again, it’s a study and a general place in which to unwind.

Daybed: Hans Wegner


Armchairs: côté provence; floor lamp: Le Contraste





Coco’s connection to her family is ever present. Here her beloved mammuccia (grandmother) looks on.


“I use the little undercover veranda as an outdoor studio,” says Coco. “I love to potter outside in the garden. I love succulents, and I often make miniature gardens in jars or bottles for friends using the plants that I grow.“


Coco with Jimmy Jim.

My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.

Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes
Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes

URL: My Houzz: A Fresh Start in a Welcoming 1950s Home http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-24957.html