An Ultra Stylish Rented Family Home, That Brings A Little NYC Glam to Melbourne

2020 (and 2021) was not a good time to be in New York City. 

With up to 6300 cases of COVID-19 recorded daily in the city alone, and travel made near impossible, interior designer Tali Roth decided to permanently return to Melbourne alongside her husband, property developer Marcus Jankie, and children Phoenix (5) years, and Romeo (20 months).

Before the move, Tali lived in New York for seven years, where she established her interior design studio. (Have a look at her practice’s stunning former Flatiron Building office!) 

Tali and Marcus lived in various rental properties whilst in NYC, developing a knack for establishing temporary spaces with style and heart. (Tali does note, however, that renting culture in NYC is very different, affording tenants more flexibility and autonomy over their home. ‘It’s completely acceptable to hang all of your art and paint a few walls,’ she says.)

When the family were quarantining in Sydney, Tali’s grandmother in Melbourne very sadly passed away. When the family completed quarantine and finally returned to Melbourne, the house was offered to Tali and her family to rent while they settled back in to Melbourne. 

The Caulfield North house was actually commissioned by Tali’s grandmother in 1999, where she had lived ever since. ‘She wanted to create a home that was easy for a single elderly woman to live in, so it’s one level with generous living spaces, and heaps of storage,’ Tali says. 

Thanks to her grandma’s initial vision, Tali hasn’t needed to make any changes to the property since moving in. Rather, the designer has simply styled the space with treasured pieces collected over many years – all of which recently arrived from the U.S. in a 40-foot shipping container!

‘We are lucky that we had lots of existing pieces, that when we brought them into the space, completely brought the home to life!’ Tali says. ‘When that GIANT container arrived in December, we were ecstatic and a tad overwhelmed… Once we placed all of our furniture [however], it certainly made this house into a home.’ 

Tali’s favourite items are the armchairs, artworks and lights that have instantly elevated the space. ‘I also snuck a few new pieces into the container for good measure, like the terrazzo vintage coffee table and the Pillow Chair by ASH NYC,’ she says. ‘Aren’t panic purchases the best!?’  

It just goes to show – collecting pieces you love is always a worthy investment, and goes a long way to making you feel at home, no matter where you hang your hat!

If you love Tali’s style as much as we do, make an appointment at her new interiors practice in Windsor!