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Houzz Tour: Opening the Door to Modern Design in an Old Victorian

This family home in Melbourne lovingly merges contemporary style with old-world charm

Rebecca Gross 23 February 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

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When you’re an interior designer and decorator, you have the advantage of designing your own home exactly as you want it to be. That’s certainly the case for Kirsty Ristevski, who meticulously restored the Victorian-era home she lives in with her husband and two sons, while adding a modern and spacious addition. “We wanted to create a bright family home that ties modern design with old-world charm and merges the elements of each so the home feels connected,” Ristevski says. “We wanted a home with soul.”

Victorian Exterior 115 Page Street - House Tour

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kirsty Ristevski, a property designer and marketing professional, her television executive husband, their two boys, 7 and 10, and their six-month-old Labradoodle, Maisie
Location: Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria
Year: 2017
Size: 330-square-metre block; 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a powder room
Designer: Kirsty Ristevski

Describing herself as a “serial renovator and lover of all things design and property”, Ristevski’s home renovation was a very personal two-part project. The first part involved the meticulous restoration of a heritage house, which sits on a tree-lined street of Victorian-era cottages and Federation villas. “It pays homage to the property and the streetscape by preserving its key period features, such as the facade, fireplaces, and ornate ceilings,” Ristevski says.

Contemporary Exterior 115 Page Street - House Tour

For the second stage, they added a spacious modern extension at the rear, “to bring the property into the 21st century,” says Ristevski.

The finished hallway truly showcases the lovingly restored period features of the home, such as the colourful leadlight windows around the front door, the French oak parquet flooring, and the wall panelling and other mouldings and trim. “I spent time in France when I was younger and the Parisian influence in the hallway shines through,” Ristevski says.

As well as holding appeal for those who appreciate heritage architecture and design, the front porch is also Maisie’s favourite spot to keep an eye on the world as it goes by.

The hallway seamlessly connects the existing home with the two-storey addition. The second floor is visible at the top of the doorway with a glass pane like a contemporary transom window.

A light-filled sitting room at the front of the house looks out to the street and has a cosy window seat for reading, or for the kids to play on. “I have a thing for window seats, so this was a must,” Ristevski says. The joinery has been custom designed around the window to provide storage and draw attention to the window. Ristevski also custom designed the two armchairs and had them made by a local furniture manufacturer.

The sitting room retains its original fireplace and ceiling detailing and, instead of a central pendant, has LED strip lighting above the cabinetry to emit a warm glow and maximise the visual effect of the ceiling.

Venus & Mars coffee tables: King Living; cushions: Nathan + Jac; artwork: David Bromley

Wall panelling from the hallway is carried through into the kitchen, bringing the charm of Parisian styling to the custom cabinetry concealing the double refrigerator, wall oven and cupboards. It also adds a soft contrast to the sharp lines of the black Dekton kitchen island and ceiling. “Some might say it’s daring, but the black ceiling in the kitchen and dining space works perfectly in this bright, sunny area of the home. It also balances out the benchtop,” Ristevski says.

Rubn Lighting’s Long John pendant: Fred International; oven, induction cooktop and warming drawer: Miele

The kitchen also has New York marble on its vertical surfaces, while Dekton is used for the flat benchtop surfaces. A butler’s kitchen is open at both ends, like a passageway, providing easy access from the kitchen and dining room. The butler’s kitchen also provides ample storage space and allows for appliances to stay plugged in while hidden away.

Contemporary Dining Room 115 Page Street - House Tour

Seen here, the dining room then opens to the rear garden with sliding glass doors, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.

Contemporary Living Room 115 Page Street

Soaring ceilings and north-facing picture windows bathe the living area in sunlight. Cushions and artwork bring accents of summer colours to the otherwise neutral colour palette.

Dulux ‘Vivid White’ on the walls is light and fresh, and is a perfect partner for monochromatic pairing with black accents.

Felix grey wool felt sofa: King Living; artwork: Christine Minter

Hydronic heated concrete floors throughout the rear extension keep the home warm and comfortable through Melbourne winters.

While modern, the open fireplace on a New York marble hearth is in keeping with the front of the house, although Ristevski admits “it’s purely for pleasure – and toasting marshmallows.”

After much debate, Ristevski says, a parents’ retreat was added upstairs. “It’s proven to be a true oasis away from busy family life.”

When designing the bedroom for herself and her husband, Kirsty decided to add every item on her wish list. “It’s so satisfying designing a space you’ve always dreamt of,” she says. “I’ve always wanted a make-up table in my room. It has my hidden hair appliances plugged in ready to go, somewhere to sit, plenty of natural light, a dedicated mirror, a cosmetics drawer at my fingertips. What more can a girl ask for?”

But wait, there’s more. It also has a walk-in robe, gym area and …

Contemporary Bathroom 115 Page Street - House Tour

… ensuite with a freestanding stone bath.

The bathroom has warm, soft tones and tactile materials with large-format tiles and a Dekton vanity with integrated basin. The bronzed mirror extends the sense of space, as does the bathroom’s outlook to creeping star jasmine. A luxurious emerald green curtain creates a sense of privacy without closing the space in.

Large-format Italian tiles: Signorino; matt resin freestanding bath: Reece

Back downstairs, the children’s bedrooms are in the existing house and have been designed to accommodate them throughout their growing years. “The neutral colour scheme is current but will also last the test of time and there is plenty of storage, built-in desks and open shelving for display,” says Ristevski. The floor-to-ceiling sashless windows provide ample natural light and are softened with natural linen curtains backed with block-out material.

Contemporary Home Office 115 Page Street

A study/home office is fitted to allow for all the gadgets a family needs these days, and of course “with plenty of charge points,” Ristevski says. The combination of navy and walnut is a sophisticated contrast against the white walls and concrete floor.

Ristevski took her inspiration for the powder room nestled under the stairs from Italian bathroom designers. “I wanted to try something different and it’s turned out to be one of my favourite rooms in the house,” the designer says. It has a bespoke floating timber vanity with inset New York marble and Astra Walker tapware. “The view of the Japanese maple in the light well is just perfect. I’m not particularly spiritual, but I would describe this space as Zen.”

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singergirl

Love the house Kirsty - what white paint did you use inside and do you match ceiling/wall paint or are they different. Thanks. Bridget

1 Like 5 April 2017 at 2:47pm

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Kirsty Ristevski @miss.sneakypeek

Hi @singergirl, thank you for your kind words! The walls are painted in Dulux Vivid White in a low sheen. Ceiling paint is matte, and very close in colour to Vivid White so we used this. Warm regards, Kirsty

1 Like 7 April 2017 at 9:31pm

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