Soul revival Passed down through a family, a beloved home sees a new chapter
A FEDERATION HOME SPANNING THREE GENERATIONS IS LOVINGLY RESTORED AND EXTENDED TO ENSURE IT REMAINS A TIGHTLY HELD FAMILY TREASURE WELL INTO THE FUTURE
KITCHEN
Rather than renovate the existing kitchen, a family hub was created in the open-plan extension, where it overlooks the adjoining dining area and living room. Keeping surfaces simple and timeless, cabinetry in Dulux Natural White two-pac blends seamlessly with walls painted the same colour, while the island topped in Smartstone Carrara with a hardwood timber bench doubles as a prep and informal entertaining zone. Bar stools from Coco Republic and pendant lights made by Andrew’s brother-in-law Michael provide bold accents, with the black and timber finishes echoed in the sculptural staircase (right). >
LIVING AREA
One of Christine’s favourite features are the stacking glass doors that create a light-filled backdrop to the family area. “They were a key addition as they can be opened right up to merge indoor and outdoor spaces, which creates a really lovely alfresco feel when entertaining,” she explains. While Christine had a clear vision for the interiors, stylist Ali Waight effortlessly pulled the look together and sourced key pieces including an eye-catching
Shadow Men wall sculpture from La Grolla (below). The concrete floor is softened by a Bayliss ‘Drake’ rug in Anthracite, teamed with custom sofas from Momu and a Globe West coffee table.
As a kid growing up in rural Victoria, Andrew fondly recalls travelling to the “big smoke” and visiting his grandparents. “I had to go to Geelong for football training and so I would stay at their place several nights a week,” he says. “I even had a bedroom in the front enclosed verandah.”
He never imagined that he would one day raise his own family there, decades later, when Andrew and his wife Christine bought the Federation property from his parents in 2005.
Work took them around Australia, but the arrival of their now teenage daughters Georgia, Viktoria and Annabelle brought them back. “It’s the only home we’ve ever owned, so it was always our plan to restore its original beauty and enlarge it,” says Christine.
She spent years perfecting the design, while Andrew took long-service leave so he could be on site daily to assist with the 10-month build. Working within the parameters of a heritage overlay, the couple found that their best option was to keep the 1909 home largely intact and add a modern extension to include an extra level at the back, effectively tripling the floor area.
For their forever home, Christine eschewed trends, opting for a timeless, yet chic palette of enduring finishes including concrete floors, bespoke hardwood joinery and punches of bold black.
“It was a tough journey at times, but there’s nothing I’d change,” says Andrew. “I love the combination of new and old and all the associated memories. When my mum visited after it was completed, she was quite emotional, seeing how we’d turned her family home into our family home.”
DINING AREA A custom timber table by Living Etc paired with Globe West ‘Pepper’ dining chairs anchors the dining zone (right), which flows beautifully from the light-filled kitchen (above). On the wall, an artwork from United Interiors adds warmth with the pop of mustard picked up in soft furnishings throughout the house. >
ANNABELLE’S BEDROOM
Each one of the couple’s daughters’ rooms were decorated to create an individual look to suit. The starting point for Annabelle’s room (above) was a leather strapping bedhead from Fenton & Fenton, which provides a pretty pink backdrop for linen from Kip & Co and Linen House. Affordable additions include a Freedom side table topped with a Kmart lamp, while Annabelle chose wall dots from Adairs for a fun sprinkle of gold across the back wall. A Kmart pegboard continues the circular theme and provides a perch for a few of Annabelle’s favourite pieces.
HALLWAY
The distinction between new and old (above right) can be seen in the floor, with the original section of the home featuring hardwood timber boards framed by freshly plastered walls and period-style skirting boards and cornices painted in Dulux Natural White.
“THE OPEN-PLAN SPACES CONNECT US AS A FAMILY, WHILE THE BEDROOMS ARE LOVELY, QUIET PLACES TO RETREAT” ~ CHRISTINE, HOMEOWNER
MAIN BEDROOM
Christine and Andrew transformed an original bedroom into a master suite, adding an ensuite and built-in wardrobe. To renew the sense of charm, the fireplace was restored, walls were replastered with period-style cornicing reinstated and pendant lights from Beacon Lighting installed. “I love that the room honours the period of the home,” says Christine, who kept the palette wonderfully warm with a custom leather bedhead by Harbro teamed with linen from Sheridan, Adairs and Freedom. Vintage-style bedsides from West Elm complete the inviting look. >
BATHROOM
“When selecting the bathtub, size mattered,” says Christine of the Forme L’Isola freestanding tub from E&S Trading. “It had to be comfortable and in proportion with the space.” To continue the luxe feel, ‘Concrete Fuse Lappato’ tiles from Beaumont Tiles flow from floor to wall, with their scale matched by an expansive mirror. “I like the simplicity of a mirror that runs from the vanity to the ceiling, which will never date,” says Christine. “Its size enhances the sense of space and views of the garden.” Above the custom Caesarstone ‘Snow White’ vanity, a trio of Hermon Hermon Lighting pendants adds interest.
POOL AREA
Despite having a compact backyard, Andrew and Christine were still able to fit in a heated plunge pool from Gordon Ave Pools & Spas for year-round swims (above). A timber fence in Resene Bokara Grey and concrete-look tiles are in keeping with the home’s interior palette creating a cohesive feel between outdoor and indoor spaces. The monochromatic tones also allow the details to shine including a bench made by Andrew topped with cushions in Tommy Bahama fabric. It provides a neat and comfy poolside seat.
STUDY
Christine’s home office set-up (right) is super sleek with custom joinery and a floating desk. “One of the best decisions I made was picking the finish on the cabinetry,” she says. “I went with Polytec ‘Thermolaminated Tempest Woodgrain’, which looks like genuine timber, is cost-effective and doesn’t leave fingermarks, which is often an issue with dark finishes.” Phillip Jeffries ‘Love It Linen’ wallpaper from Design & Decorate Interiors adds a textural backdrop, while a Globe West ‘Bogart’ chair is a streamlined seating choice.
“AS OUR FOREVER HOME, EVERYTHING WAS CHOSEN TO SUIT US. WE WANTED IT TO BE TIMELESS AND LOW MAINTENANCE” ~ CHRISTINE, HOMEOWNER