Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Heritage-Listed Home's Monochrome Makeover
This 1850s Melbourne home is boldly brought into the 21st century with a modern black-and-white renovation
Situated in the leafy suburb of Hawthorn, this heritage-listed home was renovated and extended in 2014, to accommodate the needs of a modern family. Rosemary Ross and Waihan Tang of Rosstang Architects designed the update of the house, which was built in 1857. They worked closely with the client and with their builder, Kleev Homes, to ensure the charm of the original property merged seamlessly into their contemporary design. “Renovations of old houses are always complex and require strong communication and collaboration between owner, architect and builder,” says Ross. “We think we helped facilitate that.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple, their four children and the family dog
Where: Hawthorn, Melbourne
Size: 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple, their four children and the family dog
Where: Hawthorn, Melbourne
Size: 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
The home features a black and white colour scheme throughout, which was Ross and Tang’s interpretation of light and shadow.
The open-plan living space is where the family spend most of their time. When they want to watch their favourite shows, the TV appears from behind the white timber-panelled cupboards, which gives a more minimalist feel to the space when it’s not in use.
The cast-iron columns are original features of the house and were painted white to fit in with the rest of the decor.
The open-plan living space is where the family spend most of their time. When they want to watch their favourite shows, the TV appears from behind the white timber-panelled cupboards, which gives a more minimalist feel to the space when it’s not in use.
The cast-iron columns are original features of the house and were painted white to fit in with the rest of the decor.
The dining area adjoins the living room and is a relaxed space where the family sit down together to eat. A splash of colour is added above the old fireplace with a Katherine Hattam artwork.
Through the grand steel-and-glass doors is the kitchen. Ross says these doors help to create a sense of continuity between the two rooms.
Pressed table: Cafe Culture + Insitu
Through the grand steel-and-glass doors is the kitchen. Ross says these doors help to create a sense of continuity between the two rooms.
Pressed table: Cafe Culture + Insitu
The kitchen is layered with different textures in black and white; the rear benchtop is stainless steel, the island benchtop is white carrara marble, and black timber panels line the walls.
The couple kept the original exterior of the home, including the restored verandah, which can be seen through the kitchen window.
The couple kept the original exterior of the home, including the restored verandah, which can be seen through the kitchen window.
Ross says one of her favourite aspects of the kitchen design is that it combines bold and robust materials with delicate, elegant lines.
A small powder room is located on the ground floor. The room is equipped with a wall-mounted toilet to create the illusion of more space, and a mirror by Rogerseller above the basin that doubles as a cupboard for extra storage.
Down the hall from the powder room is where Ross and Tang broke rules with a black laundry. The duo were aiming to make a room that is often considered boring into a something a bit more interesting. “We were a little worried that a black laundry might not work, but it’s actually a great space that the homeowners love,” says Ross.
Shelves: Life Space Journey
Shelves: Life Space Journey
Coming up the stairs to the first floor, you are greeted by a well-lit gallery space. A beautifully-appointed bay window was installed, offering a nice outlook on to the surrounding streets.
Light from the gallery continues into the bedroom. The absence of a door to this room allows the upstairs space to have more flow.
Tolomeo wall lamp: Artemide
Tolomeo wall lamp: Artemide
The main bathroom was built for durability and to continue the clean and modern design. Ross and Tang sourced the hexagonal marble wall tiles from Perini.
“Most older homes don’t have as much natural light coming through them as ones built today,” says Ross. “We had to find new ways to let the light in.” One of the ways Ross and Tang did this was by inserting large windows and glass sliding doors. This exit from the basement was fitted with a high glass door, which allows light to stream into to what was previously a store room. Ross says her favourite part of this space is the original flagstone floor, one of the original key features of the home.
Sliding doors open up to connect the kitchen with the outdoor area. With north-facing sunlight, the kitchen is flooded with extra warmth. When the family entertains, the backyard is equipped with a well-appointed barbecue area. It was completed with concrete paving by Matt Walsham Landscapes.
“We originally thought that our biggest challenge would be working with a heritage-listed home, but it turned out not to be,” says Ross. “What we always kept in mind was that we weren’t trying to fight what the building was, we were trying to work with it.”