All Mod Cons
An architectdesigned home is updated for a new generation.
The se days, it’ s rare that a home stays in the hands of one family for generations. This stylish abode in Melbourne’s south-east, designed by renowned architect Modernist Ernest Fooks in 1955-56, is one of those very special exceptions.
“I wasn’t particularly keen on the house at first. The curtains and blinds were always closed so I thought it was really dark,” says owner Sarah, who lives here with her husband Michael – grandson of the original owner – and their children, Sam, 12, and Ella, nine. But on closer inspection – this time with the blinds open – the couple found many features that resonated: abundant natural light in the living areas, built-in bookshelves and leaf-like brass chandeliers to name a few. Other elements held less appeal, including faded wallpaper and timber floorboards that were in need of some TLC.
Soon after moving in, in 2007, the couple gave the home a light cosmetic makeover. As the children became tweens, however, a more substantial renovation was in order.
While the home was functional, Sarah and Michael wanted to sensitively modernise the home to better suit their lifestyle. Melding the Mid-Century architecture with the family’s requirements – more living space,
“WE ALL AGREED THAT MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE ORIGINAL 1950s DESIGN WAS PARAMOUNT .” NAT PRESTON, ARCHITECT
a new main bedroom suite and study, more privacy and better connection to the garden – presented something of a challenge for architect Nat Preston, director of Preston Lane. “We all agreed that maintaining the integrity of the original design was paramount,” he says. “Ernest’s use of space was ingenious and far ahead of his time. He had a wonderfully skilful way of capturing natural light too.”
The home’s characteristic Mid-Century frontage was only lightly touched; at the rear, a small extension constructed from salvaged cream-coloured bricks contains the serene main bedroom suite and study.
Shifting the ‘adult areas’ to the extension enabled Sarah and Michael to rethink the use of existing spaces. What was a bedroom is now a dedicated children’s retreat; at the opposite end of the house to the parents’ zone, the girls (and their friends) can make as much noise as they like.
Updating the kitchen was also part of the brief. Formerly a rather cramped U-shape design, Nat created more breathing room with a galley layout and extending into a spacepreviouslyoccupiedbyapowderroom. Here, granite is used for the benchtops and a splashback that extends almost to the ceiling, beautifully contrasting with the pastel green joinery. Slender brass supports on the island bench are an elegant contemporary touch. “The kitchen is a real pleasure to cook in and to be in,” says Sarah. “We spend most of the time in this part of the house.” In the laundry – once part of the kitchen – original cabinetry and lemonyellow wall tiles were retained to honour the home’s heritage.
Nat and his team extended the kitchen’s Modernist-meets-modern style into the adjacentmainbedroomandstudy.Awindow seat built into space along the glazed northern wall study is the perfect spot to bask in the sunshine year round.
Mid-Century furnishings, including some family pieces, add to the home’s overall style. The living room and adjacent dining zone, for example, feature a credenza and dining setting, both designed by Dario Zoureff in the 1960s. Throughout, original light fittings still hold sway, complemented by thoughtfully chosen new fittings in the kitchen and bedroom extension.
Project complete, there is little doubt it hasbeenasuccess.“Ourhomeiswonderfully bright, comfortable and relaxed, and retains the original 1950s feel we admired from the beginning,” says Sarah. “The back terrace is now more functional – we spend a lot more time outdoors in summer. We absolutely love living here.”