Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Historic Home Meets Contemporary Open-Plan Living
A 1920s Melbourne house gets a harmonious modern extension
When Peter and Taj Robinson discovered a period house that showcased its original, historic features, they knew they’d found something special. The original Melbourne home had remained untouched since 1923, had been owned by one family, and had all its traditional features intact. The new owners could see the enormous potential in bringing the home into the 21st century, while restoring the original home to its formal glory.
Modern twists and pockets of contemporary design have added to the overall appeal of this historic house. Natalie Castle of Architest helped Peter and Taj add a contemporary extension to the rear of the property that works in harmony with the original building, while offering the convenience of modern open-plan living.
Modern twists and pockets of contemporary design have added to the overall appeal of this historic house. Natalie Castle of Architest helped Peter and Taj add a contemporary extension to the rear of the property that works in harmony with the original building, while offering the convenience of modern open-plan living.
The original frontage still retains its period charm, giving little away of what contemporary treats lie within. The brickwork was repointed, the windows restored and all the period features were reinstated.
As well as a large open-plan extension, a garage was built on the opposite side with a similar gabled roof and sealed-seam aluminium roof sheeting. “Taking inspiration from rural buildings, we’ve transformed this 1920s home into a 21st century farmhouse, complete with barn-style garage that’s great for woodwork and other projects,” says Castle.
As well as a large open-plan extension, a garage was built on the opposite side with a similar gabled roof and sealed-seam aluminium roof sheeting. “Taking inspiration from rural buildings, we’ve transformed this 1920s home into a 21st century farmhouse, complete with barn-style garage that’s great for woodwork and other projects,” says Castle.
When you step through to the back of the property, you’re drawn to the bright and expansive open-plan room. Features include sweeping views onto the outdoor entertaining area through black contemporary steel windows and doors.
An old shed and laundry were demolished to make way for the new extension, and some of the original bricks were reused in this space to create a connection to the period area of the house. “When we had the bricks cleaned, we specifically asked them to retain as much of the original patina as possible,” says Castle. “We then reused these bricks as a feature wall above the fireplace and below the windows to add old-world character to the sleek, modern finishes.”
The new extension features a polished concrete floor, which gives a contemporary vibe when set against the bold, industrial-style windows and doors. The appeal of open-plan living lies in its versatility and encouragement of easy living.
Windows and doors: AWS
Windows and doors: AWS
A wall of exposed brick at the entry to the kitchen highlights the transition from the old part of the house into the new add-on, while teak laminate kitchen units connect with the period wooden features.
The owners opted for ‘Urban Teak’ laminate units from Laminex as they were a fraction of the cost of veneer cupboards, yet they look just as sleek as the real thing. “Another advantage of laminate units is that they don’t fade and are more robust than real timber, which is great in a busy family household,” says Castle.
Where possible, eco-friendly features were taken into consideration, such as the highlight windows below the ceiling line that allow cross ventilation to cool the room. This results in a reduction of the need for excessive mechanical cooling.
The family’s storage needs were also a big factor in the renovation, with plenty of built-in cupboards to hide away clutter and toys.
The family’s storage needs were also a big factor in the renovation, with plenty of built-in cupboards to hide away clutter and toys.
At the front of the house, the original floorboards, internal doors and ceiling strapping were restored, patched where necessary and revarnished. The old dining room was transformed into a billiards room for a luxurious touch.
The period living room in the old part of the house provides a stark contrast to the modern extension at the rear, while traditional-style furniture complements the heritage features.
This original staircase, which was part of the old house, was repositioned to maximise the upstairs space and improve the flow of the new layout. “On the second storey, we rejigged the layout to create two bedrooms for the kids, plus a shared bathroom,” says Castle. The treads of the old staircase were reconditioned and reused on the new stairs, while a grey runner provides a soft path to the upstairs rooms.
The restored fireplace is the showstopper in the new master bedroom on the first floor, while an adjacent bedroom and den were transformed into the walk-in wardrobe and ensuite to create a super-deluxe suite.
Feature tiles reminiscent of the original building’s era, frame the streamlined vanity and mirrored storage for a surprising twist in the master ensuite. “We’ve tried to continue the blend of old and new styles into each space, so there’s a consistent theme throughout the house,” says Castle. Beyond the ensuite is a make-up area, that then leads into the his and hers walk-in robe.
This mixture of textures and styles is continued into the shared bathroom that was created on the second storey. Classic subway tiles are combined with a contemporary frameless shower and concrete base, while the limed timber floor echoes the light timber joinery for a invitingly warm finish.
The new guest bathroom created on the first floor also incorporates some of the original bricks and the renovated floorboards, while modern fixtures, such as black tapware, keep the space up to the minute. Castle reflects on the project; “This ethos of ensuring each space retains a tie to the past, yet is very much in the present, has created a home that celebrates it’s history while still being fun to live in.”
Tap: Phoenix; bath: Raymor
Tap: Phoenix; bath: Raymor
Who lives here: Peter and Taj Robinson, with their children Jasper, 13, and Olivia, 11, as well as Abby the boxer.
Location: Camberwell, Victoria
Year built: 1923
Block Size: 435 square metres; 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, open-plan kitchen/ living area, plus two further living rooms, a billiard room, double garage and a loft space
Completed: July 2016
Architect: Natalie Castle of Architest
Budget: $800,000
The steep existing rooflines of the original house were the starting point for the design of the new extension that was added to the rear of the house, while the majority of the original property at the front was kept intact. “From the outset our design brief was very clear,” says Castle. “The owners wanted the contemporary rear extension to seamlessly integrate with the original part of the house, which was also to be restored and modernised.”