THE DAME

Fitzroy North

A Gentle Revival of a 1900s Cottage - There’s a special kind of magic that happens when a home carries the stories of the past while opening its doors to the present. This project a 1900s cottage restored with Anna-Carin’s longtime friends, Mish and Dave has been one of those rare, deeply personal journeys. Together, we set out to bring the house back to life in a way that felt honest to its origins: maintaining its soul, its patina, and its quiet charm, while subtly weaving in the comfort and functionality needed for modern living.

Every decision was guided by a desire to honour what was already there. Soft interventions, thoughtful detailing, and a respect for the home’s original character shaped the design, creating spaces that feel serene, surprising, and endlessly welcoming. The process was enriched by Mish’s wonderfully obsessive eye for furniture and art her collection of vintage treasures became the heartbeat of the interiors, grounding the home in warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of lived-in authenticity. Many of these cherished pieces found their way naturally into both the home and the final styling, giving each room a story that is unmistakably theirs.

What emerged is more than a restoration it’s a celebration of connection: between people and place, between old and new, and between the moments that make a house feel like a home.