The Art of the Curated Home: Colour, Character, and Design That Lasts

In the heart of Elsternwick, a home once defined by ornate Greco-Roman flourishes has been reimagined into something far more intentional—a space where colour, character, and curation become the center of attention. The owners, food enthusiasts Pete and Erica Kritikides, set out to transform their family home into a curated home—one that felt deeply personal, expressive, and enduring.

To bring their vision to life, they turned to Silvia Roldan of Studio Esar, whose reputation for anything but beige made her the perfect collaborator. With a keen eye for bold colour choices, unexpected textures, and pieces designed to stand the test of time, Silvia approached the project with one goal: to create a home that felt collected, not just decorated. Every selection, from furniture to artwork to lighting, was chosen with care, ensuring that the home would not only reflect the family’s personality but also stand as a testament to the power of a truly curated home.

There’s a reason curation takes time—it’s about more than just aesthetics. The Kritikides family wanted their home to be a reflection of their lives, a space that evolved with them rather than bowing to fleeting design trends. At its core, Elsternwick House is a study in balance—old and new, bold and restrained, playful yet deeply considered. The architectural foundation, led by Keen Architecture, provides a monochromatic canvas of black and white, allowing Studio Esar’s curated selections of furniture, lighting, and decor to shine. Every piece within the home was chosen with intent, ensuring that what fills the space is not only beautiful but also built to last. For Silvia, this approach was key to the design philosophy. Each element was selected not just to serve a moment, but to define the home for years to come.

The dining and living areas demonstrate exceptional skill in curation, blending local and international designers in a way that feels natural yet deeply considered. Sculptural lighting by Lee Broom creates dramatic focal points, while furniture by Gemla and Porcelain Bear adds depth and craftsmanship. These choices, paired with a striking collection of art from Jean Paul Mangin, Claire Kirkup, and Nathan Betts, imbue the home with a sense of individuality that goes beyond decoration—it is a space that tells a story. Studio Esar continued this approach throughout the home, ensuring that the curated home aesthetic extended from the largest architectural gestures down to the smallest details. Fluted detailing, a motif echoed in both lighting and soft furnishings, subtly references the home’s period origins while seamlessly integrating with its modern evolution.

For Pete and Erica, the kitchen was always going to be the heart of their home. As a former MasterChef contestant, Pete wanted a space that was as functional as it was beautiful—a place where cooking and connection could intertwine. Designed with the same curated mindset as the rest of the home, the kitchen includes a scullery, allowing prep work to be tucked away while maintaining a clean and welcoming space. A custom herb box, positioned just outside the kitchen window, provides a direct connection between the act of cooking and the materials that bring it to life. An exterior breakfast bar further extends the home’s emphasis on gathering, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces in a way that makes hosting a natural extension of daily life. The result is a curated home that prioritises both function and atmosphere, where the kitchen is not just a place to cook, but a space to share, connect, and celebrate.

Every element of Elsternwick House has been considered through the lens of longevity, ensuring that it remains relevant and meaningful for years to come. In a world where interiors are often driven by passing trends, the Kritikides family has embraced a curated home philosophy that values craftsmanship, artistry, and timeless appeal. Rather than filling their space with temporary solutions, Studio Esar guided the selection of investment-worthy pieces that will grow with their home and their family, ensuring that the space remains as dynamic as the lives within it. This approach makes the home feel collected rather than designed, as though it has evolved organically over time, even though every choice has been intentional.

If there’s one defining feature of a curated home, it’s its ability to grow with those who live in it. Elsternwick House isn’t just designed for today—it’s built for the years (and generations) to come. By choosing timeless materials, handcrafted furnishings, and artwork that tells a story, the home sidesteps the transient nature of design trends. It’s a space that celebrates personal expression and longevity in equal measure, proving that a well-curated home is never truly finished—it simply evolves.

The careful curation of Elsternwick House is evident; each piece feels deliberate and thoughtfully chosen not just for how it looks but for how it shapes the space around it. Sculptural lighting, statement furniture, and textured materials bring a sense of rhythm and presence, proving that design isn’t just about decoration—it’s about creating balance, flow, and personality. Sculpted Elements is a curated selection of design pieces that echo this approach, bringing together stone, glass, wood, and resin in bold forms, clean lines, and deliberate curves. Each piece is chosen for its structure and substance, adding depth and artistry while feeling naturally at home in a thoughtfully designed space.