Helen Street By STILO Architecture—A Layered Sanctuary
Brought to life through a remote collaboration between STILO Architecture and owner-designer Alyssa Owens, Helen Street is a layered family home where heritage, art, and nature converge with quiet intent.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos SEBASTIAN EVANS
Framed by an arched hallway and original period mouldings, the view toward the dining area reveals a curated dialogue between heritage architecture, contemporary art, and considered materiality.
A vibrant landscape by Zak Tilley anchors the dining space.
The Astep Model 2065 pendant floats above a custom walnut dining bench.
A pair of portraits by Mark Chu aside a vessel bycceramicist Hilary Green.
‘The decor was heavily influenced by Alyssa Owens' background as an interior decorator and the couple's love for contemporary art,’ says STILO Architecture. Wall sculpture by Tan Arlidge.
“Instead of separating the ‘old’ and ‘new’, every space is layered to express both. Contemporary alongside heritage, moments of calm with pockets of richness.”
In a corner of the bedroom, a compact study nook blends practical simplicity with rich material contrast—punctuated by the yellow front door.
Layered in muted sage, warm ochre, and natural textures, the master bedroom pairs vintage styling with an artwork by Kirsty Budge that deepens the tonal palette.
The master ensuite reveals a calming wash of forest green zellige and finger tiles, paired with soft neutrals and custom joinery.
The garden provides a tranquil retreat. Chairs and ottoman by HAY .
In Melbourne’s inner north, a weatherboard terrace on Helen Street has undergone a quiet yet deeply considered transformation. Once a charming but dated single-fronted home, the property is now a refined, art-filled sanctuary for a young family—designed to evolve with time and memory.
Homeowners Alyssa Owens and Alex Matthews purchased the Northcote home in 2021, drawn in by its period detailing and generous northern light. Expecting their first child, the couple enlisted STILO Architecture to reimagine the home’s layout, focusing on function and flow without compromising its historic character.
Alyssa Owens Design director, Alyssa, worked closely with architect Angelica Kerama from STILO Architecture to bring the vision to life. With the constraints of a post-COVID budget and the decision to forgo a second floor, the team turned their attention inward—amplifying the connection between interior spaces and the garden beyond.
One of the project’s most striking interventions is the introduction of custom steel-framed doors along the rear, dissolving the threshold between indoor living and the lush backyard. The living, dining, and kitchen areas now form a seamless, light-filled extension of the landscape.
Travertine and walnut anchor the material palette, offering warmth. A stone island leads into a custom walnut dining table, while timber joinery reinforces the kitchen’s tactile richness and presence. ‘Instead of separating the ‘old’ and ‘new’, every space is layered to express both,’ shares Angelica. ‘Contemporary alongside heritage, moments of calm with pockets of richness. Spaces for both contemplation and play.’
Alyssa’s curation deepens this vision with a natural, earthy mix of linen, rattan, marble, and clay. The home’s soul is further animated by its art collection—each piece carefully placed, each artist intentionally chosen. A vivid commissioned landscape by Zak Tilley anchors the living room, echoed by two more Tilley works in the hallway. Kirsty Budge’s surrealist painting Ruffling Feathers sets the tone in the main bedroom, while a joyful yellow nursery features work by Indigenous artist Elizabeth Ngwarraye Bonney.
Two bathrooms have been carved from what was once a single space—one enveloped in forest greens, the other softened by warm salmon tiles. Original fireplaces and floorboards were restored in the front rooms, while each bedroom features custom-painted joinery to meet the family’s growing needs.
Remarkably, the entire collaboration was carried out via Zoom—STILO and the homeowners meeting in person only upon completion. The result is a home that feels both curated and lived-in: a modern, nature-connected space that celebrates art and family connection.
