D'Estaville, Renaissance Revival mansion in Kew, Melbourne, Australia
D'Estaville is a Renaissance Revival mansion in Kew built with local bluestone and features spacious rooms with wide skirting boards throughout. The structure connects different areas through arched passages and showcases careful spatial arrangement typical of grand Victorian residences.
The building was constructed in 1859 by architects Knight & Kerr and stands as their only residential project. It was designed for Sir William Stawell, Victoria's first attorney-general, making it a significant piece of their limited architectural legacy.
The mansion displays Art Nouveau details from early 1900s alterations, with ornamental plaster ceilings and decorative fireplace surrounds in formal rooms. These design elements reflect the artistic vision applied to the residence over time and reveal how interior aesthetics evolved with the building's use.
The northern wing contains modern living spaces including a dining area, kitchen, pantry, and recreation room. These areas connect through a series of arched passages that make moving through the residence straightforward and comfortable.
A former World War II concrete bunker in the garden has been converted into a wine cellar. This transformation demonstrates how wartime structures can be repurposed into functional modern spaces within a residence.
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