French Elegance Meets Modern Grandeur

Classic detailing meets contemporary refinement in Melbourne’s most prestigious suburb

This grand family residence in leafy Toorak seamlessly marries classic French style interiors with the ease of Australian indoor-outdoor living. Taking inspiration from San Francisco’s grand residences – think wrought-iron detailing, marble finishes, and French Colonial motifs – interior designer Thomas Hamel has created a home that is equal parts sophisticated showpiece and relaxed family retreat.

A Grand Yet Functional Family Home

Behind a classic French wrought-iron entry door, a magnificent marble staircase sets an elegant tone. The floorplan is expansive and highly functional for a family of seven, featuring 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, internal lift and an underground garage, generous living spaces with an expansive two-table dining room, and a resort style outdoor area with pergola, 25-metre pool, manicured gardens and a sunken trampoline.

This balance of grandeur and functionality makes it a welcoming home for both family life and entertaining.

Crisp, Light-Filled Interiors

The brief from the owners was clear: white, white, and more white. To achieve this, Hamel created a fresh, light-first palette with pure white walls that amplify the natural light and open sightlines to gardens. To soften and enrich the colour scheme, he introduced colour and personality through furnishings, textiles, and curated artwork.

In the kitchen – the social hub for this family of seven – Hamel combined gloss and satin for the cabinetry finish to achieve a bright, but not too shiny look, and complemented this with marble-clad benchtops to deliver everyday durability with a luxurious edge.

Architectural Detail for Family Life and Entertaining

The architectural detailing throughout the home is elevated by the use of Intrim’s premium decorative mouldings to achieve the tailored French-inspired interior.

While this project featured custom skirting and architraves, you can achieve the same refined look using Intrim’s SK945B (part of our popular InStock Range) or SK522 skirting & architrave. Both profiles deliver the soft lines and elegance that suits French-style interiors. Intrim’s IN09 inlay mould was used to create classic wainscoting in key impact zones, adding depth and craftsmanship to the expansive white walls.

The Designer’s Touch

From the crystal droplet chandelier to the interplay of textures across marble, timber, and textiles, every detail reflects Thomas Hamel’s signature balance of timelessness and modern liveability.

The result is a home that is elegant yet welcoming, architecturally rich yet family-friendly, and timeless in design, with details that will endure. These details ensure that while the home feels luxurious, it also retains warmth and comfort for daily family life.

Interior Design: Thomas Hamel

Photography: Matt Lowden