Leigh Ellwood first learned about the enchanting 1930s Beverley Hills building in South Yarra, Melbourne 30 years ago.
She admired its Spanish Mission-style architecture with its ornate balustrades and leadlight windows from afar for decades, until purchasing one of the apartments herself in 2021. (You might recall this from our recent podcast episode with the interior designer!)
Leigh has made cosmetic changes to the apartment such as adding new wardrobes and installing wallpaper in the hallway and kitchen to instil a more eclectic, Parisian feel.
The apartment features two bedrooms, a study, and a balcony, and every room has either a north or west-facing window — sometimes both. ‘The north-east aspect and elevation is incredible. The apartment is always light filled and cheery,’ says Leigh.
The interior designer has styled her home to perfection with a collection of rugs, display shelves, and ‘idiosyncratic’ artworks including those by Heather B. Swann, Eleanor Louise Butt, Louise Gresswell, Julian Martin, Stephen Bird, Lewis Miller, and Jon Campbell.
The magic of the Beverley Hills building spans its entire grounds. Residents share a wonderful pool — complete with a grotto and underwater window — and a rooftop terrace. ‘The pool in summer is so fun; there’s always lovely neighbours to chat with poolside,’ Leigh says.
Staircases in the complex are shrouded in tropical greenery that spills out and over from pot plants and towering palm trees above.
Leigh is itching to do another renovation, so she’s decided to sell the wonderful property she’s called home the last two years. ‘I really love Beverley Hills and I’ll miss that safe nest but the next project is calling!’
