Houzz Tour: An Edwardian Villa Goes From Tired to Timeless
A crumbling old cottage gets a contemporary update that respects the past
Rebecca Gross
2 November 2017
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Edwardian villas, built in Australia circa-1900 to 1915, are simple but beautiful. Designed to let in light and facilitate airflow, as well as reflecting an ever-growing desire for cleanliness, their refined appearance nods to their English roots.
This Edwardian villa in Northcote, Melbourne, a crumbling cottage when the clients purchased it, has been transformed into a modern, liveable and family-friendly home. Design company Heartly has added a second-storey extension that takes on a more contemporary form but respects the intention of the original house in form and function with an emphasis on natural light, ventilation and spaces that are easy to clean.
This Edwardian villa in Northcote, Melbourne, a crumbling cottage when the clients purchased it, has been transformed into a modern, liveable and family-friendly home. Design company Heartly has added a second-storey extension that takes on a more contemporary form but respects the intention of the original house in form and function with an emphasis on natural light, ventilation and spaces that are easy to clean.
Photos by Derek Salwell
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two sons, aged 4 and 6
Location: Northcote, Victoria
Year renovated: 2015
Size: 196 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Design: Heartly
Builder: Ben Thomas
Landscape design: Mud Office
“The brief was to create a timeless and contemporary yet warm home,” says Mikayla Rose, director of Heartly. “It also needed to be inviting, family-friendly, highly liveable and make clever use of the limited space.”
Heartly designed the villa renovation, which involved retaining the traditional facade of the ground floor, and adding a contemporary first floor to provide more space for the young family. The weatherboard exterior maintains the character of the original building, but is now contrasted with a blackened, textural addition.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two sons, aged 4 and 6
Location: Northcote, Victoria
Year renovated: 2015
Size: 196 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Design: Heartly
Builder: Ben Thomas
Landscape design: Mud Office
“The brief was to create a timeless and contemporary yet warm home,” says Mikayla Rose, director of Heartly. “It also needed to be inviting, family-friendly, highly liveable and make clever use of the limited space.”
Heartly designed the villa renovation, which involved retaining the traditional facade of the ground floor, and adding a contemporary first floor to provide more space for the young family. The weatherboard exterior maintains the character of the original building, but is now contrasted with a blackened, textural addition.
“Externally we wanted to retain the weatherboard, bringing it back to a smooth, white and fresh-but-natural timber surface, and then provide a strong contrast with the rough-sawn blackened cypress,” says Rose. “The greenery of the garden and large expanses of glass are also an essential part of the palette.”
Inside, the intention was to retain the front room and hallway, but they were too deteriorated; only the original fretwork in the hallway remains. Everything else was rebuilt and the materials replaced.
Cypress timber cladding stained in Aquaoil Charcoal (opaque): Quantum Timber Finishes
Inside, the intention was to retain the front room and hallway, but they were too deteriorated; only the original fretwork in the hallway remains. Everything else was rebuilt and the materials replaced.
Cypress timber cladding stained in Aquaoil Charcoal (opaque): Quantum Timber Finishes
The renovated house is configured with open-plan living at the rear of the house, and the master bedroom at the front. Two bedrooms and a guest bedroom/rumpus room are upstairs. At the rear of the house, the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area faces north to receive natural light throughout the day.
Large sliding glass doors visually and physically connect the living area with the garden. A roof over the deck provides shade and sun control, as does an additional awning.
Tailored 21 coffee table: Ross Gardam; sofa: Plush; Alby ottoman: Jardan
Large sliding glass doors visually and physically connect the living area with the garden. A roof over the deck provides shade and sun control, as does an additional awning.
Tailored 21 coffee table: Ross Gardam; sofa: Plush; Alby ottoman: Jardan
Heartly continued the monochromatic palette inside the house with crisp white walls and joinery, a cool-grey concrete floor, black steel and blackened textured oak, as used for the sliding door. Natural oak doors and joinery add warm and tactile details.
“We carefully thought out the application of materials; getting bang for buck was a key consideration,” says Rose.
“We carefully thought out the application of materials; getting bang for buck was a key consideration,” says Rose.
An elongated entertainment unit and timber shelf provide storage and display opportunities for family treasures.
The dining area is behind the lounge space, containing a timber dining table with crisp, clean lines and dining chairs with a slim sled base.
Winter dining table: Jardan; Visu dining chair: Muuto
Winter dining table: Jardan; Visu dining chair: Muuto
Opposite the dining table, a blackened oak door slides to reveal or conceal a nook with a desk and pinboard for the two young boys in the house. Heartly used a leftover piece of marble for the desktop in the study nook.
“While the location of the study nook is ideal for modern-day family life, the ability to close it off allows for versatility and flexible use of the space. It can easily be used as a more formal dining space when necessary,” says Rose.
“While the location of the study nook is ideal for modern-day family life, the ability to close it off allows for versatility and flexible use of the space. It can easily be used as a more formal dining space when necessary,” says Rose.
The kitchen is beyond the dining room, and the laundry concealed behind a timber pivot door. “The living area, dining space, kitchen and laundry are all connected. We wanted to create an open-plan space where practical requirements were accessible but also concealed if necessary,” says Rose. “It is a beautiful light-filled area where form and function are very carefully balanced.”
Crisp white lines continue throughout the kitchen and are complemented by white and grey marble on the rear wall.
Statuarietto marble splashback: CDK Stone; benchtop in ‘Pure White’: Caesarstone; Oak pendant: Ross Gardam
Statuarietto marble splashback: CDK Stone; benchtop in ‘Pure White’: Caesarstone; Oak pendant: Ross Gardam
Kitchen storage is organised with the walk-in pantry and an integrated fridge. “It allows the rear of the kitchen to be the hero of the space. We deliberately avoided overhead cupboards in order to create the beautiful backdrop for the room,” says Rose.
The hallway extends from the kitchen to the front of the house. A courtyard allows for natural light and ventilation to penetrate the western side of the house. “The greenery and light provided to the hallway from the internal light well and garden is a critical part of the design,” says Rose.
A powder room, study, storage area and staircase are configured in the centre of the house. The colour palette and materials continue into these spaces, with hexagonal tiles from Urban Edge Ceramics on the powder room wall.
The parents’ study is tucked under the stairs, where it receives natural light from the light well across the hall.
A storage room at the front of the house is designed as a “contemporary lean-to-like structure,” Rose says. Outside, it is set off from the original facade and tacked onto the weatherboard. Inside, a sliding timber door reveals and conceals the room.
The owner designed the storeroom, which was built by Ben Thomas. “The idea was to create a practical and flexible storage area for bikes and kids’ bags and all the paraphernalia children require. The wall-faced sliding oak door allows the space to be concealed if it gets messy,” says Rose.
The oversized pegboard has moveable pegs that allow for a variety of objects and equipment to be stored as necessary, as well as a shelf and bench for sitting to put shoes on.
The oversized pegboard has moveable pegs that allow for a variety of objects and equipment to be stored as necessary, as well as a shelf and bench for sitting to put shoes on.
The master suite is at the front of the original house and includes the couple’s bedroom, an ensuite and a built-in robe. The master ensuite was created in what was originally a bedroom.
Artwork: Rachel Castle
Artwork: Rachel Castle
Heartly restored the bay window and added plantation shutters; the wool carpet is soft underfoot.
Landscape artwork: Belynda Henry
Landscape artwork: Belynda Henry
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms for the young boys, as well as a guest/rumpus room and bathroom. In the boys’ bedrooms the partially pitched ceiling meets the residential code set-back requirements. It also helps light to filter inside.
The bedrooms were fitted out and furnished to carefully consider the lowered ceiling, so as to avoid bumped heads. For example, a desk and shelf area has been created in one nook of the room.
The charcoal, white and oak palette continues in the bathrooms, which have been designed to be easy to use and clean.
“Walk-in showers were essential, as was practical storage, which is achieved behind the mirrors. Wall-hung basins enhance the sense of space – critical given that space is limited,” says Rose.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Houzz Around The World
France Houzz: A New Island Home With an Old Soul
Check out this young family's welcoming and characterful French island home on Île d’Yeu, which embraces local style
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Germany Houzz: A Small Cabin Transformed Into a Forest Retreat
In this secluded area in the Taunus mountains of Germany, a family enjoys their weekends in 29 square metres of space
Full Story
Architecture
Sydney Houzz: Bob Hawke's Iconic Northbridge Home Made Modern
The old home of Australia's longest-serving Labor prime minister and his wife Blanche d'Alpuget has had a new makeover
Full Story
Houzz TV
London Houzz: Tour a Contemporary Loft in an Old Victorian School
Watch and read how a design firm updated this light and airy apartment in an old block with sleek style and warm touches
Full Story
Interior Design
Before & After: A Dream Family Home on Sydney's Waterfront
The owners of this grand six-level home wanted to give it a casual, coastal feel to suit its spectacular setting
Full Story
Architecture
Rural Houzz: A Modern Mountain Retreat Set Among the Gums
Explore a cleverly designed country home that sits quietly within the landscape, while providing views from every room
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Berlin Houzz: A Touch of Japanese Forest Bathing in a German Home
Beloved memories of Japan come to life with the renovation of this 120-square-metre apartment in Berlin, Germany
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
London Houzz: Daring Colour & Texture Transform a Victorian Home
By Kate Burt
The busy owners of this terrace sought help to design outside their decor comfort zone – the result is a cool classic
Full Story
Colourful Homes
Queensland Houzz: A Cute Cottage Awash With Colour and Pattern
Bold colour, quirky prints and an abundance of art transformed this 1920s cottage into an inviting and relaxing gem
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Germany Houzz: Creating Summer & Winter Homes in a Converted Barn
One barn, two homes – see how architects designed separate zones for summer and winter living in an old country barn
Full Story
While there are some elements of the interior I love, such as the artwork (!) and the timber features (staircase, for example), the overall effect is for me is soulless - and the rear elevation is, for me, dark and looming. However, if the owners love it and have happy lives there, then that's what counts!
I love it! Love the restricted colour palette, the clever storage that helps achieve the uncluttered look and the sense of calm achieved in this home.
I want to compliment all people involved to this very successful project.
I always come back looking at photos of this home...
Do you mind sharing what the colours were you used to paint the original facade with?
Many thanks, Tanja.