All Hands On Deck A team effort has produced a sweet result.
After the renovation of this Melbourne home ground to a halt, the project was saved by a dream design and construction team – and some hard graft by its very practical owners.
Before closing the deal on this inner-Melbourne home in 2006, Kylie Holland and her photographer husband Martyn had already been outbid on seven properties. “We had moved back from the UK and wanted to live in the inner city but the real-estate market was going gangbusters and we were constantly missing out,” says Kylie. “We kept seeing the same people at all the auctions and kept coming up against one lady in particular. One day, our estate agent called to say that the other bidder was on holidays and to come down right away to see a house.” Kylie and Martyn loved the Victorian duplex and bought it on the spot, with plans for a renovation down the track.
They built a basic self-contained photography studio for Martyn out the back in 2010, but it wasn’t until September 2018 that they were ready to begin the renovation proper. Unfortunately, the process started off on the wrong foot and quickly became a nightmare, says Kylie. By April 2019, their builder had gone bust, leaving a pile of demolition waste and a half-excavated pool in his wake.
“We were left in complete limbo. There were lots of tears, it was a disaster. I didn’t think anyone would ever touch it,” says Kylie. “But then came my knight in shining armour.” That knight was builder Hamish White of Sanctum Homes. Construction resumed and it couldn’t have been a better experience. Even with the constant threat of looming lockdowns and rapidly evolving working conditions, everything just went like a dream from then on.
Kylie, who holds a Bachelor of Planning and Design (Landscape Architecture), was very involved in every stage of the project. “My dad is an engineer and I grew up believing that achieving whatever I set my mind to was simply a matter of using the right tools,” she says. Her experience in interpreting technical specs really helped when it came to resolving problems on site, avoiding the usual back and forth between designers and tradies. Kylie says she delighted in getting her hands dirty too. “I did some tiling, plastering, paving, all the painting and laid the fake grass. I even had a crack at welding!”
“I’ LL HAPPILY MIX ACCESSIBLE PIECES WITH DESIGNER FURNISHINGS IF IT HELPS ME ACHIEVE THE LOOK I WANT .” KYLIE HOLLAND, OWNER
KITCHEN/DINING Kylie and Martyn found the dining setting at a local shop and had the table legs powdercoated Taubmans Sail Ship to match the kitchen cabinets. Clock, Target. Artwork by Esther Stewart. Pendant light, Giffin Design. LIVING The pinks in the Michael Muir artwork largely dictated the scheme in the open-plan space. Matilda art print by Leila Jeffreys (right). Wilfred sofa, Jardan. WINDOW SEAT The stool belonged to Kylie’s late grandmother. Cushions, hanging baskets and outdoor chair, all Ikea. >
In its original state, the floor plan was simple, with one bedroom to the left of the entrance and a corridor with two additional bedrooms and a bathroom off to the right-hand side. From here, the hall opened into a dark and dingy living area and separate kitchen. They consulted with architect James Flaherty, who collaborated with Stephanie Kitingan and Jacqueline O’Brien of Placement to achieve the best outcome for the family. “We provided guidance and drawings but Kylie was also very proactive in all aspects. She was more than capable and very switched on,” says James.
The decision was made to overhaul the layout, adding a powder room and converting the second bedroom into an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe for the main bedroom. As the house is surrounded by apartments, it is in shadow for much of the day. To maximise the amount of light coming into the home, James designed one large skylight to replace two smaller ones in the hall. But the major change was at the rear, where a step up now leads to a bright and spacious open-plan kitchen/dining/living area. There’s also a new first-floor addition, which is the domain of the couple’s daughters Lila, 11, and Pippi, nine.
Outside, the duplex was of classic Victorian-era shape and proportions. Located on a battleaxe block, it ran in a straight line all the way to the rear of the site, where it faced the back fence before turning the corner north-east into private parking. Kylie and Martyn took the opportunity to reorient the outdoor areas so they faced the new pool and relandscaped courtyard.
When it came to the interior, Kylie and Martyn knew exactly what they wanted. Kylie procured all the materials, coordinated supplies, designed the kitchen and specs for the custom cabinetry throughout the house. She even built the daybeds and sewed all the cushions in the girls’ rooms. “I took swatches, tiles and carpet samples with me everywhere to test them in direct light, summer sun... everything,” she says. “I think we ended up making great choices. We couldn’t be happier.” >
“MY DAD IS AN ENGINEER AND I GREW UP BELIEVING THAT ACHIEVING
SOMETHING WAS SIMPLY A MATTER OF USING THE RIGHT TOOLS .” KYLIE HOLLAND
Sanctum Homes, Warrandyte, Victoria; 0429 592 982 or yoursanctum.com.au. Placement, Northcote, Victoria; 0449 579 709 or placement.net.au.
MAIN BEDROOM Bed and chair, Ikea. Artworks by Rachel Castle (left) and unknown artist. MAIN ENSUITE Inax ‘Sugie’ tiles, Artedomus. Halo tapware in Swiss Brass, Brodware. Pot plants, Ikea. Geberit ‘Sigma 01’ flush plate, Reece. HALL Capiz shell chandeliers, Graham & Green (London). Butterflies wall decor, Lightly. Painting by Michael Muir.
GIRLS’ BATHROOM Drum countertop basins, First Choice Warehouse. Halo tapware in Swiss Brass, Brodware. Blush wall tiles, Academy Tiles+Surfaces. Cabinet painted Dulux Christobel. LILA’S ROOM Opposite top Feature wall painted Dulux Dublin Jack. The daybed is made from Polytec Raw Oak with cushions in fabrics from Lincraft. Custom floating shelf. PIPPI’S ROOM
Opposite bottom, left and right Feature wall painted British Paints Forever Peach. Wall light, Ikea. Daybed in Polytec Raw Oak with cushions in fabrics from Lincraft. Desk chair, Ikea. Colour Love art print by Bohemian Home. >
“I LET THE GIRLS CHOOSE THE COLOURS FOR THEIR BEDROOMS THEMSELVES. THEY MIGHT DATE, BUT IT’ S ONLY PAINT.
IT DOESN’ T HAVE TO LAST FOREVER !” KYLIE HOLLAND
BACK GARDEN Timber cladding on the home’s rear elevation mirrors that used on Martyn’s photography studio. Pool by Nemcon Pools. Landscape construction by Latham Landscapes.