Home Tour: Fenton & Fenton Celebrate Good Times at Fender House

When the creative minds at Fenton & Fenton developed their latest furniture collection, Good Times—a nostalgic nod to the party spirit of the 1970s combined with a modern celebration of entertaining at home—they knew just the property to serve as the backdrop for the campaign: Fender House.

This six-bedroom modernist marvel on the Mornington Peninsula embraces mid-century architecture and contemporary design. Renovated with care by its owners, Katie and Ian Brannaghan, this Mount Martha property became the ultimate canvas for Fenton & Fenton’s project.

“When we were looking for a home to showcase our latest 70s-inspired collection, Good Times, we knew that Fender House would be the ideal backdrop. The rich textures, terrazzo flooring, original wood panelling, and that incredible retro green carpet—it felt like stepping right into the 70s,” says Fenton & Fenton’s founder, Lucy Fenton.

“We wanted to create a space that felt like it was living in that era yet had a contemporary appeal.”

Stepping Back in Time

Originally designed by renowned Australian architect Karl Fender in the 1970s, the home underwent a significant refurbishment in 2017 under the guidance of Katie and Ian.

They worked closely with Fender, who provided hand-drawn plans and shared stories from the home’s original construction.

“Katie told us she hunted Karl down on Instagram to involve him in the renovation process,” explains Lucy. “He reviewed their refurbishment plans, and many of the updates they made feel like they were original features of the house.”

The renovation restored much of the home’s mid-century charm, matching the joyful new designs from the Good Times collection.

The Perfect Match

“The 70s aesthetic is achingly cool, yet still feels effortless. We added layers and layers of power colour, statement artwork, and playfully shaped furniture, designed to gather friends around and celebrate the good times,” Lucy shares.

The collection is all about warm hues, gentle curves, and a playful design that perfectly fits the home’s nostalgic feel.

Standout pieces from the collection, like the Lenny Dining Chair, Rosie Dining Table, Mimi Bench, and the inviting Homebody Sofa, bring bold shapes and stunning colours that complement the home’s rich textures and beautiful materials.

“We loved working the Rosie Dining Table and Margot Chair in berry into the wood-panelled dining room,” Lucy says. “The Homebody Sofa was great for the living room, especially with that iconic Esther green carpet underfoot. It all just came together so beautifully.”

Outside, the terrazzo-framed pool area offered another opportunity to showcase Fenton & Fenton’s creative touch. The Sundowner Dining Table in Limoncello was a natural fit, adding a touch of luxury to the serene poolside.

“The garden views, the terrazzo floors—it was all about creating a sense of fun and relaxation,” Lucy explains. “We wanted the outdoor area to feel as though it was designed for socialising and gathering friends, in keeping with the good times theme.”

Iconic Australian Artworks

Collaborating with Australian artists, including Yakob Morley, Salvatore Dibartolo and Marnie Ross, was another crucial element in bringing the collection to life.

“Adding statement artwork by 10 Australian artists helped deliver extra personality and ‘wow’ to the rooms. We loved how the artwork finished the space, dialling up the personality and bringing everything to life,” she muses.

Looking back on the campaign, Lucy is most proud of how well the home’s palette championed the collection.

“The colour palette of the house was great for the bright and playful nature of the collection. The timber panelling, mixed materials, and the striking carpet provided the ideal backdrop to layer colour on colour with furniture, accessories, and artwork,” she reflects.

PROJECT CREDITS:

Photographer: Eve Wilson @evegwilson

Styling: Fenton & Fenton @fenton_and_fenton

Architect: Karl Fender @fenderkatsalidis

Owners: Katie and Ian Brannaghan @katiebrannaghan

Words: Bella Brennan @bellarosebrennan

Enjoyed our home tour of Fenton & Fenton’s collaboration with Fender House and want to keep perving some of the most stylish places going around? Take a look at Byron Bay’s newest luxury hotel, BASQ House, then check out Mirror Image in Dover Heights.