Parks And Recreation A Melbourne terrace’s terrific transformation.
Enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection has given a dated Melbourne terrace a new lease on life.
Sometimes, the stars align and fate steps in, showing you exactly where you need to be. For Melburnians Joanne and Craig, buying this beautiful terrace in the city’s east began with a serendipitous parking spot in 2009. Hong Kong-based at the time, Joanne was visiting Melbourne for three whirlwind days of back-to-back appointments. “I parked in a street lined with elegant terraces, across from a gorgeous park, and imagined how wonderful life could be here – kids climbing trees, playing cricket, picnics with friends, revelling in the open space. Then I noticed that one of the houses had a ‘For Sale’ sign,” says Joanne.
Craig made a follow-up trip to inspect the house. He loved how light the home was, the generous proportions of the rooms, and the abundance of surrounding greenery, but what really captivated him was its proximity to Melbourne’s cultural and sports centres. After winning the house at auction, the couple rented it out until they could return to Melbourne, which they and their children – Sophia, now 12, and Xavier, nine – did in 2012.
Thelayoutwoulddoforthemoment,butsomeelements of the 1970s decor would not. “We always knew we would need to renovate,” says Joanne. “The kitchen was tiny, but I could live with it. I just couldn’t live with all the Mission Brown tapware.” They did what they could, including changing the tapware and installing
Joanne and Craig took the opportunity to improve the home’s energy efficiency, installing solar panels and replacing windows with low-e glass.
under-stair storage, while they researched architects, eventually settling on Stephen O’Connor of O’Connor and Houle Architecture+Landscapes.
The brief was threefold: more internal space without compromising the outdoor areas; modern, sustainable materials wherever possible; and a timeless interior that was sympathetic to the heritage of the home.
Stephen’s solution was to reconfigure the upper level intothreegenerousbedroomsandabathroomplusextend the home at the rear of the ground floor. Downstairs, the original home comprises a guestroom, separate living and dining rooms, with the kitchen, library, study nook and laundry in the extension. On the first floor, the extension accommodates the family’s beloved rooftop garden, accessed via a striking steel spiral staircase.
Period features, including cornicing and fire surrounds were retained. The interior scheme – lashings of white, teamed with oak joinery and accents in brown and green – unifies old and new.
While they were updating, Joanne and Craig took the opportunity to improve the home’s energy efficiency too. They installed solar panels and replaced windows with energy low-e glass. Sustainability also influenced the couple’s brief to landscape gardener Matt Dux of I Heart My Garden. “We wanted a low-maintenance garden that engaged our kids in growing food,” says Joanne. “Rooftop gardens can’t accommodate heavy planter boxes, so I created a series of shallow beds to accommodate an array of herbs and vegetables; that way, the family can learn about rotation planting,” says Matt.
The renovation was completed in late 2017, and life has been nonstop for this busy family since. Joanne credits the neighbouring park for keeping them sane. “I love our rooftop sanctuary, but the park is such a blessing. I can send the kids out there and watch them from the window. They love it. I knew they would.”
O’Connor and Houle Architecture+Landscapes, Albert Park, Victoria; (03) 9686 7022 or www.oconnorandhoule.com. I Heart My
Garden, Melbourne, Victoria; 0423 058 993 or www.iheartmygarden.com.au.
LIBRARY Above left Furnished with a cocooning Ned chair from Jardan and plush sofa (not seen), this light-filled space is a favourite for me time. Pendant light, Hay. Artwork on desk from Greenhouse Interiors. Rug, Weylandts. STUDY Above right Built-in joinery maximises useable space in this nook, which is tucked into a corridor between the kitchen and laundry. Desk chair, Ikea. BATHROOM A wall of mirror bounces light around the room and is far easier to clean than tiles. Elba marble vanity top. Tapware, Astra Walker. MAIN BEDROOM Below right Joanne had the joinery custom made based on a design she had seen in a magazine. Bicoca lamp, AJAR Furniture & Design. Artworks by (from left) Ralph Kiggell, Sidney Nolan and Kori Song. Carpet from Carpet Court. GUESTROOM Opposite Soaring ceilings in the original home were all part of its appeal. Artwork by
Emily Persson. Le Klint ‘Arc’ floor lamp, Great Dane. Side table, Weylandts. Smart buy: Tangier rug, $1850 (2x3m), Armadillo&Co.
“We wanted a low-maintenance garden that engaged our kids in growing food.” Joanne, owner
COURTYARD Right Joanne with her son Xavier. The table was custom made with leftover marble from the kitchen renovation. Chairs from Hong Kong. ROOFTOP GARDEN Below and opposite
There’s room enough for table tennis and more in this fabulous space. In the pots are a weeping peppermint ( Agonis flexuosa
‘Lemon and Lime’), olive trees ( Olea europaea ‘Paragon’) and an array of citrus underplanted with herbs, leafy greens and chillis. Cedar cladding. Smart buy: Outdoor table tennis table, from $799, Cornilleau. For Where to Buy, see page 198. #