Expertly Mastering Contemporary Design Through Style, Rugs, and Textures
This Melbourne home is a vibrant expression of contemporary design, where furniture, rugs, lighting, and textures come together to create warm and inviting spaces. Designed by Brahman Perera, the interior celebrates color, form, and thoughtful layering. Each area in the house has a distinct character, yet all flow seamlessly through a consistent design language. Here’s how the designer shaped each space with simplicity, style, and a strong focus on material and mood.
1. Hallway
Hallways often get overlooked, but not here. The hallway becomes a transitional gallery, filled with art, curated lighting, and furniture with flair. Sculptural benches, reflective mirrors, and delicate pendants turn it into a visual journey.
A long, richly colored rug guides the eye and the feet, adding softness to the floor beneath. The hallway’s furniture is minimal yet expressive, a narrow console here, a bold vase there.
Light plays a significant role. Pendant lamps and spotlights cast gentle glows, drawing attention to artwork and textures on the walls. It’s a subtle, moving space that still makes a strong impression.
This is where contemporary design shows its versatility, transforming even walkways into places of visual delight.
2. Living Room
The living room is the heart of the home. It shows an eclectic mix of furniture with bold silhouettes and rich textures. Pieces like the Gogan sofa and Fishbone coffee tables create a sculptural, low-slung seating area grounded by a textured rug. This space blends comfort and statement.
Layered lighting includes pendant fixtures, sculptural lamps, and soft ambient sources that emphasize the room’s scale. The mix of wool, velvet, and leather surfaces gives the room depth. These materials play against polished timber floors and sleek stone details.
Art and curated objects add warmth and a sense of personality. The overall feeling is one of balance—between bold color and soft neutrals, between structured form and relaxed flow. The living room is a perfect example of how contemporary design can feel both elevated and lived in.
3. Study Area
Just off the living room, a study space is framed by sliding doors that offer the option of privacy or openness. A sculptural bookshelf and modern desk set the tone. The furniture here is elegant but purposeful. Think of clean lines, solid wood, and tactile finishes.
A contemporary desk chair pairs with warm lighting and simple shelves. Accessories are minimal but meaningful: a vase, stacked books, and artistic lighting pieces that double as decor.
The rug underfoot softens the room and helps define the study as a separate zone. With its neutral base and tonal highlights, it brings texture without visual noise. This is a perfect space for focus, surrounded by the quiet beauty of contemporary design.
4. Kitchen and Dining
The kitchen and dining area is where function meets flair. Custom lighting, like silver pendants and sculptural spotlights, brightens the space with artistic impact. Smooth cabinetry and marble countertops speak to modern luxury.
In the dining area, a custom bronze-legged table anchors the room. The chairs, upholstered in rich blues, echo tones found throughout the home. Here, color is used not as decoration, but as a structural part of the design.
Textures range from the cool hardness of stone to the softness of linen drapes and fabric-covered stools.
Despite the bold elements, nothing feels overdone. This space is all about harmony—an ideal representation of contemporary design in everyday life.
5. Main Bedroom
The main bedroom is all about softness and calm. A custom bedhead in deep blue sets the stage, echoing tones from the dining chairs to unify the home’s palette. Linen bedding in natural tones enhances the sense of serenity.
A plush rug under the bed softens the stone floor, while wall-mounted lights and a statement pendant give the room a gentle glow. Lighting here is warm and indirect, ideal for rest.
Armchairs with curved forms add comfort and elegance. A small table nearby holds books or tea, creating a cozy nook. Every detail is thoughtful and tactile, from the embroidered cushions to the heavy curtains that block out the morning light.
In this room, contemporary design expresses itself through relaxation, subtle color, and layered materials.
6. Walk-In Closet
Next to the bedroom, the walk-in closet is functional but stylish. Open shelving and custom drawers provide organized storage.
The design is clean and linear. Timber finishes warming the room, while soft lighting ensures everything is well-lit without feeling harsh. A narrow bench offers a place to sit or set down clothes.
A small rug breaks up the floor’s surface, adding softness and refinement. Even here, textures matter. Leather pulls, brushed metal details, and smooth matte finishes show that contemporary design can be understated and luxurious at the same time.
7. Bathroom
The bathroom combines drama with simplicity. Bold marble slabs in jade green or deep grey add instant impact. But it’s the balance of textures that defines the space.
The layout is spacious and serene. Mirrors enhance light and space, while open shelving allows for display of beautiful essentials—candles, ceramics, and lotions.
This is a room where everyday rituals feel elevated. In true contemporary design fashion, it merges art with utility.
The Soul of the Space
Every room in this Toorak home is a celebration of contemporary design. Through careful furniture selection, richly textured rugs, bold lighting, and well-placed artworks, the house achieves a rare balance. It is both grand and welcoming, expressive and restrained.
This home doesn’t rely on trends—it creates a timeless atmosphere through materiality, light, and form. Whether you’re in the living room or the hallway, every space tells a story of texture, color, and style.
Feeling inspired by the contemporary design of this Toorak home? Bring the same sense of style and texture into your own space by exploring Tapis Studio’s stunning rug collection—perfect for adding depth, warmth, and character to any room.
Source: Vogue
