Surprise package This heritage home is given a transformation

THIS CLEVERLY REIMAGINED HERITAGE HOME IN MELBOURNE IS A HEAVENLY FIT FOR THE FAMILY WHO CALL IT HOME

Like most homeowners embarking on a renovation, Sheridan and Cameron had wrapped up their wish list: room for their young family to grow, a contemporary extension with a connection to the outdoors, plentiful storage and a base palette of neutral tones and organic finishes. These were some of the key boxes to be ticked by the couple’s architect, Andrew Wilson of WARC Studio Architects, for their Melbourne home. But then came an additional request. “Cameron asked Andrew for ‘some surprise and delight’,” says Sheridan. “He said to Andrew: ‘There may not be a lot of opportunity to achieve that with the style of the house and the budget, but we’d love to see it wherever possible.’ ” With touches of the unexpected around almost every corner of the 1920s home, the brief was certainly met. From the dark steel-clad hallway, mysteriously luring visitors into the light-bathed entertaining domain, to delicious splashes of colour and even a century-old exposed brick wall presenting like an oversized artwork in the courtyard, this is a home in which joys unfold well beyond the front door. For the family – including Lola, 10, and eight-year-old Angus – the renovation was quite a while coming. “We lived here for a really long time beforehand,” says Sheridan, a make-up artist. “It’s an old Spanish Mission-Californian bungalow and it was looking a little tired – it was dark with rather small, boxy rooms. By the time we were finally ready to start the renovation, we knew exactly what we wanted and what would be best for our family.” Sitting on a compact 367-square-metre block close to the beach and local shops, the home’s considered design puts every bit of space to effective use. Its graceful beginnings have been carefully honoured and restored, while the stylish addition to the building places an emphasis on relaxed living for both adults and children.

“We really love the original appeal and character of the facade and front rooms, as well as the modern extension with the large open spaces at the back,” explains Sheridan. “It’s a home that has different areas for people to retreat to, which makes it very functional. Andrew was fabulous in that he was very much aware of our budget and remained conscious of it.” Given the scale of the project, the family moved into a rental property for the duration, while builder Dwell Developments undertook the construction works. “It simply wasn’t feasible to live here through the renovation,” says Sheridan. “When we moved back in, I couldn’t believe all the space that had been created. The house works really well for all of us – even Sybil seems to love it!” Indeed, for the homeowner, who admits to being “anything but a serial renovator”, this latest chapter in her family’s life is only just beginning. “This will be the house that the kids grow up in,” she says. “We’re not going anywhere.”

KITCHEN Daylight pours through skylights into the gorgeous new kitchen (top left). A three-metre island bench topped in hardy Silestone White Storm is the centrepiece of the food zone, with black Hay ‘About A Stool’ seating from Cult adding versatility. “One of Cameron’s stipulations was that the island bench be free of a sink and I’m so glad that’s the case,” says Sheridan. “It means the island is always clear as a serving or eating space.” Australian chestnut panelling from Tait Timber & Hardware on the island’s front segues seamlessly from the flooring, while sliding barn doors conceal the butler’s pantry and study (top left & opposite). DINING

ROOM In the dining room that also adjoins the kitchen (top right), is an original Eames table base found on Ebay and customised with a white ply-laminate top. The dramatic ‘Floating Boats’ painting by Graeme Altmann introduces some subtle colour. “This was a gift from Cameron’s parents when we got married and we love it,” says Sheridan. A ‘Ned’ bamboo pendant by Giffin Design delivers a modern sleekness.

“TO HAVE SO MUCH bench space IS AMAZING – THE OLD KITCHEN WAS SO small AND POKY” ~ SHERIDAN

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL From the moment Sheridan and Cameron decided to renovate, they were sold on the idea of an open-plan kitchen, living and dining domain. Tempered by the neutrality of hardwood flooring and walls in Wattyl crisp Stowe White, the core entertaining space is enlivened by colour via a magenta Jardan cushion on the ‘Felix’ King Living sofa (below). The couple’s children, Lola and Angus, and Sybil the dog, get comfy on the customised floating day bed by Turnco (right), decked out in Laine ‘Conforto’ fabric in zesty Comfy and misty Galore.