Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
I am very fortunate that I get to see the inside of lots of mid-century and post war homes. But you know a home is really special when you can remember if really well from five years ago.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Five years ago today I attended the auction of Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks’ beautiful home when it sold for $2.41m at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Here are some photos from the original listing in 2013, and some auction videos. Like so many houses of this era it is fairly understated from the street, with the most impressive parts only visible to those lucky enough to see inside. Despite being placed on the National Trust Heritage Register in 2002 by Noemi Fooks (smart move), the current owners proposed to demolish the existing kitchen and add a second storey, which the National Trust objected to back in February 2017. Secret Design Studio has had no involvement with the owners or their plans to demolish the kitchen, or the new work.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
The issue appears that Fooks were a childless couple, and built their home as their forever home – Noemi lived to be 104! So naturally they weren’t interested in resale value and the bedroom accommodation was fairly modest by contemporary standards. However they enjoyed entertaining on a grand scale, so the emphasis on the design was the free-flowing, generous, open plan living spaces, rather than bedroom accommodation.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Dr Ernest and Noemi Fooks home at 32 Howitt Road North Caulfield. Photos via Gary Peer and Associates, Caulfield North.
Here is a link to Gary Peer’s promotional video:
One of the stand-out features of this home was the beautifully considered and built details throughout. While the real estate agent’s photos are good for getting an overall perspective of this property, there aren’t any detail photos. I snapped a few during an open for inspection, and I apologise for the quality. When a house is crowded with people just prior to an auction it is hard to get a well composed photo with the right lighting.
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
Revisiting Dr Ernest Fooks’ mid-century modern masterpiece. Photo by Secret Design Studio
At this point in time I have no idea if the owners have been successful with their plans to extend, but I suspect that they have not. If I hear anything to the contrary on the grapevine I will update this blog to reflect the current status.
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Secret Design Studio
Secret Design Studio is a small, boutique building and interior design studio that specialises in retro homes of the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s.
Secret Design Studio did a tour with one of our clients today to help with interior design selections for her Dromana beach house renovations and stumbled across this Brutalist/Minimalist “alter” of a stovetop surfaced with Dekton. It was in the glorious Cosentino showroom at 460 Collins Street Melbourne. Under the Dekton work surface is a concealed induction cooktop with three “rings” identified by three small dots on the benchtop. Each ring is controlled by a matching knob on the front face. As it is an induction cooktop the Dekton surface doesn’t get hot. Needless to say, to purchase this breathtaking piece of easy-clean technology (and the Dekton surface), you need a breathtaking amount of money.![]()
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For many people, making decisions about interior finishes can be overwhelming. For today's efforts we managed to wrap everything up in under three hours, with samples and pricing, and spared the client the overwhelm.
