Houzz Tour: A Stylish Melbourne Home Makes Do
A young family create a home similar to their artwork collection – patterned, textured and contrasted
Emily Hutchinson
10 July 2016
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra wow-factor to feature. I love hearing all about the design process behind these projects.
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra... More
Clare and James Canty were keen to add a second-storey extension to their Melbourne home until they consulted with Sally Holbrook of NORTHBOURNE architecture + design, who made them realise they didn’t actually need it. They managed to keep the same floor plan without any building required, while still achieving a more spacious layout. “The home is modern, clean and suitable for a young family,” Holbrook says. “It now contains the right type of spaces that allow for cohesive family living, while providing adequate privacy for all.” So how was this done? Read on to find out.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Clare and James Canty, newborn Lachlan and dogs, Floyd and Heidi
Location: Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria
Size: Approximately 160 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Clare and James Canty, newborn Lachlan and dogs, Floyd and Heidi
Location: Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria
Size: Approximately 160 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
The couple found out during the renovation that they were expecting their first baby, which meant that time was of the essence for this project to be completed. Thankfully, by vetoing the need for an extension, costs and time were cut down considerably. “We presented an option that was less invasive than a typical extension, which meant we could achieve a more cost-effective outcome, but still meet their needs in a shorter time period,” says Holbrook of her team’s design solutions. The internal redesign worked within the building’s existing footprint, with functionality for a young family at the forefront of the designer’s mind.
Despite the timeline hurdle, Holbrook says she was able to achieve everything the homeowners wanted. This included a luxurious master suite with a walk-in robe and ensuite, functional storage in the bedrooms, a grand main bathroom and a more functional laundry. An intimate lounge room was also added, and new timber flooring was laid throughout the home.
Umbrella stand: Anibou; taxidermy bird: Tushkina
Despite the timeline hurdle, Holbrook says she was able to achieve everything the homeowners wanted. This included a luxurious master suite with a walk-in robe and ensuite, functional storage in the bedrooms, a grand main bathroom and a more functional laundry. An intimate lounge room was also added, and new timber flooring was laid throughout the home.
Umbrella stand: Anibou; taxidermy bird: Tushkina
After listening to what the homeowners wanted from an aesthetic approach, Holbrook also took cues from their beloved art collection for the design, in which patterning, texture and contrast play key roles. She established a simple, neutral, but strong colour and material palette of black, white, timber and textured tiles to suit this style.
Environmental considerations were also made during the design process. Insulation was installed in the ceilings and all new walls. New windows and doors were also double glazed. To minimise heat loss via the floor, they opted to lay the new engineered timber floor – which was sustainably harvested and FSC approved – over the top of the existing floor. This consisted of Harper Sandilands/Royal Oak, as well as aged, smoked and limed American Oak. The new flooring not only modernised the home, but gave it cohesiveness.
Sofa: Jardan; coffee table: House of Orange; floor lamp and chair: Ajar; timber hexagonal industrial floor light: Anibou; rug: Loom; hide: NSW Leather; wall hangings: Porcelain Bear
Environmental considerations were also made during the design process. Insulation was installed in the ceilings and all new walls. New windows and doors were also double glazed. To minimise heat loss via the floor, they opted to lay the new engineered timber floor – which was sustainably harvested and FSC approved – over the top of the existing floor. This consisted of Harper Sandilands/Royal Oak, as well as aged, smoked and limed American Oak. The new flooring not only modernised the home, but gave it cohesiveness.
Sofa: Jardan; coffee table: House of Orange; floor lamp and chair: Ajar; timber hexagonal industrial floor light: Anibou; rug: Loom; hide: NSW Leather; wall hangings: Porcelain Bear
Holbrook and her team added a fireplace by Jet Master and a marble hearth, which make the living room more warm and inviting. “The hearth doubles as a bench, so one can position themselves front and centre to achieve maximum warmth,” says Holbrook. “Wood is then stacked and stored under the marble hearth for convenience, because who wants to venture outside in the middle of winter for more wood?”
Vessel: Mud
Vessel: Mud
Chair: Ajar; floor rug: House of Orange; black and grey stools: Ajar
The master bedroom was transformed from a series of rooms into a large master suite. The space also consists of built-in display shelving, a walk-in wardrobe and a large ensuite.
“Typically in bedrooms, we like to soften and warm up the space by using tonal paint colours on the walls and ceilings. We find this achieves a feeling of comfort and intimacy,” Holbrook explains.
Floor rug: NSW Leather Co.
“Typically in bedrooms, we like to soften and warm up the space by using tonal paint colours on the walls and ceilings. We find this achieves a feeling of comfort and intimacy,” Holbrook explains.
Floor rug: NSW Leather Co.
Gold lamp: Ross Gardam; black timber bench: House of Orange; black and timber chair: Anibou; reindeer skin: NSW Leather Co
There was originally a fireplace in the room, which Holbrook removed to enhance the flow of the space. She then introduced compartmentalised, Japanese-inspired display shelving in a timber finish to match the new floor.
Linen sheets: House of Orange; pottery: Trent Griffiths
Linen sheets: House of Orange; pottery: Trent Griffiths
Fur stool: Tushkina
Bedside table: Grazia and Co; bedside lamp and scatter cushions: House of Orange; wall hanging: Porcelain Bear
By relocating the wall between bedrooms two and three, Holbrook was able to create over five metres of new wardrobe space. To maximise the use of the tall ceilings, pull-down hanging rails were installed which also allowed for drawers under the hanging space.
Pink and black chair: House of Orange
Pink and black chair: House of Orange
In the ensuite are two pedestal basins by Omvivo, a free-standing spa bath, walk-in shower, toilet and a recessed TV in the wall. Holbrook also designed a recessed steel shelf that extends across the room into the shower. Texture and patterning can also be seen in the Japanese mosaic tile by Academy Tiles used on the floor and wall.
There was also an existing arched window in the space, which was previously partially covered up by existing wardrobes – Holbrook decided to highlight it. “We brought the arch back to life by playing with contrast and geometries of the space,” she says. “We drew a datum line around the space, which intersects with the arch and the curves of the spa, helping to illuminate their natural beauty. Our aim was to create a luxurious and sophisticated space, but with a minimal feel.”
Leather Classicon lounge chair: Anibou; floor lamp: Ajar; floor rug: House of Orange
The homeowners also wanted one grand bathroom and laundry, so to do this, Holbrook removed the wall between the existing dark and outdated bathroom and laundry to create one large, modern space.
“Our holistic approach to the design meant we drew elements from other parts of the house to tie it all together,” says Holbrook. “In the bathroom, we used timber floorboards again to create a bench on which the basin would sit. We also used diamond-shaped marble tiles to reflect the owners’ love of pattern.”
Agape freestanding bathtub: Artedomus
“Our holistic approach to the design meant we drew elements from other parts of the house to tie it all together,” says Holbrook. “In the bathroom, we used timber floorboards again to create a bench on which the basin would sit. We also used diamond-shaped marble tiles to reflect the owners’ love of pattern.”
Agape freestanding bathtub: Artedomus
For a more compact and functional laundry, bi-fold doors were used to conceal the area. “Concealing the laundry means you can hide all your unruly laundry items quickly and easily.” says Holbrook.
Outside the window, there was a beautiful ficus vine growing. By opening up the external bathroom wall and installing a large super-fine steel-frame window and sliding door, they were able to take full advantage of the outlook. This also allows northern light to fill the space, making it feel larger. The bathtub was placed in the centre of the room to give the space symmetry and balance.
Tapware: Reece
Tapware: Reece
Above the basin and timber bench is a continuous recessed black steel shelf, with mirrored cabinets above. Extra cupboards are built in above the mirrored cabinets, which appear to hover. “They do not continue all the way up to the ceiling, a technique to make a ceiling feel limitless,” says Holbrook. To further enhance this limitless look, the ceilings and top sections of the wall were painted black.
“Contrary to popular belief, a black ceiling, coupled with other elements, can actually make a space feel bigger – not smaller.” says Holbrook.
“Contrary to popular belief, a black ceiling, coupled with other elements, can actually make a space feel bigger – not smaller.” says Holbrook.
"We are delighted with what we could achieve without having to build more building. It’s amazing what you can achieve with what you already have. This means the project was cost effective and completed in a short timeframe,” says Holbrook.
TELL US
How do you feel about this space-adding renovation rather than a traditional extension? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
TELL US
How do you feel about this space-adding renovation rather than a traditional extension? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Thank you rtowns for your lovely feedback :)
Love. Conceptually and visually. Well done. Also, a massive Thankyou on behalf of all the readers for including the before and after plans!! It's not done enough & makes all the difference in us understanding the brilliance of what was achieved.
Thank you for your kind workds Mrjudsonjames! Yes, you're right, before and after photos and plans really help to describe the journey. I recently added some more before and after photos if you want to check them out.