Marvellous Melbourne Mansions with Andrew Dixon
27 April 2:00-3:30pm
Three marvellous mansions in Melbourne: Labassa (Caulfield North), Villa Alba (Kew) and Mandeville Hall (Toorak) are all rare survivors of the late nineteenth century.
Labassa’s lavish interiors feature ornate stained glass, gilt-embossed wallcoverings, and a rare trompe l’oeil ceiling. Villa Alba showcases unique, hand-painted interiors created in 1883/84 by Scottish-trained interior decorators the Paterson Bros. The sumptuous décor of Mandeville Hall was influenced by the Aesthetic movement and commissioned from important London firm Gillow and Co.
Each property has architectural, aesthetic, historical and social significance to the history of Victoria and rich stories to tell. Presenter Andrew Dixon will compare and contrast the key features of these fascinating properties and provide insights into their past, present and future.
The presenter: Andrew Dixon has a long involvement as a volunteer at Villa Alba Museum and Labassa Mansion.
(MATTERS) AT VILLA ALBA – Presented by MATTERS
24 May 10:00am-5:00pm
25 May 10:00am-5:00pm
25 May 3:00pm-4:00pm – Guided Tour (booking required)
26 May 10:00am-5:00pm
26 May 3:00pm-4:00pm – Meet the Designers (booking required)
27 May 10:00am-5:00pm
Opening its doors to Melbourne’s premier clash of contemporary design within classical walls at Villa Alba Museum, MATTERS plays host to some of Australia’s most notable and emerging designers, makers, and artists.
Witness the museum’s ornate chambers and distinctive living spaces transform into a prolific fusion of materials, concepts, and characters. Delve into Villa Alba’s rich history as it unfolds under its 2024 tenants.
Explore the (SOME THINGS) group exhibition, the second instalment following the 2023 (NO THINGS) showcase, shedding light on the creativity inherent in experimental design processes. See full details at Melbourne Design Week.
Entry to the exhibition is free but bookings are required for the guided tour and ‘Meet the Designers’:
Georges: Souvenirs From Collins
15,16 & 22,23 June 11:00am & 2:00pm
The upmarket department store was a fixture in Melbourne for over 100 years before it closed in 1995. Villa Alba is hosting a retrospective mounted by Friends of Georges. Georges historian Justin Maclean and fashion anthropologist Tom McEvoy have curated a wide-ranging display.
Next Open day at Villa Alba Museum
The Museum is ordinarily open to the public on the first Sunday of the month: full details of times and bookings.