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Melbourne Houzz: A Family's Dream Home, 20 Years in the Making
Timeless, sophisticated and a little bit industrial – this heritage-home renovation is nothing short of spectacular
This graceful, four-bedroom Victorian villa in Yarraville, Victoria, caught the eye of its current owners 20 years ago. Finally, after a long and patient wait, the stars aligned in 2019 and they were able to call it home. What followed was an extensive renovation to restore the property’s original features, improve the internal layout and add space and amenities to suit their busy family of four.
A glazed, arched door in the hallway marks the moment when the old and new parts part of the home meet.
Tired and rundown, with an awkward layout, a single bathroom and its beautiful, original features largely obscured, the house was crying out for some TLC when the owners bought it. Fortunately, they had the perfect person on speed dial to help with the task; interior designer Frances Cosway, who had worked on a previous home for them.
“This property had been the couple’s dream home for over 20 years so it was really special when they were finally able to buy it, and then to help them renovate and restore it to such a high standard,” she says. “The result is beautiful.”
Cosway’s previous experience working with the couple gave her a useful shorthand; “I had a really good understanding of how they live day to day and what their frustrations are, so we were able to design the best solutions for their lifestyle.”
Inspired to start planning your own renovation? Find an architect near you on Houzz
Tired and rundown, with an awkward layout, a single bathroom and its beautiful, original features largely obscured, the house was crying out for some TLC when the owners bought it. Fortunately, they had the perfect person on speed dial to help with the task; interior designer Frances Cosway, who had worked on a previous home for them.
“This property had been the couple’s dream home for over 20 years so it was really special when they were finally able to buy it, and then to help them renovate and restore it to such a high standard,” she says. “The result is beautiful.”
Cosway’s previous experience working with the couple gave her a useful shorthand; “I had a really good understanding of how they live day to day and what their frustrations are, so we were able to design the best solutions for their lifestyle.”
Inspired to start planning your own renovation? Find an architect near you on Houzz
To create the family’s dream home, there were several boxes the new design needed to tick. “The couple runs their own business so they needed a separate home office studio, and their two sport-loving teenagers needed practical storage for sports gear and school stuff, as well as space to study and a separate living area,” says Cosway.
“The couple cooks and entertains a lot, so indoor and outdoor entertaining areas were important, along with a practical kitchen with plenty of storage. Relatives also frequently come and stay, so this needed to be accommodated within the design too,” she says.
The four original rooms at the front of the house were retained and a small, dated lean-to at the rear made way for a new contemporary extension housing an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space, which opens onto a freshly landscaped garden and pool area. An upper level was added, with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a teen retreat. Outside, a new studio provides quiet space for the owners to work from home.
“They wanted the home to be comfortable and inviting, with nothing too precious – it needed to be able to cope with two teenagers and visitors,” says Cosway. “It had to be sophisticated, with some historical references, along with a slight industrial edge. The female client also wanted to incorporate her two favourite colours – dark blue and teal.”
“The couple cooks and entertains a lot, so indoor and outdoor entertaining areas were important, along with a practical kitchen with plenty of storage. Relatives also frequently come and stay, so this needed to be accommodated within the design too,” she says.
The four original rooms at the front of the house were retained and a small, dated lean-to at the rear made way for a new contemporary extension housing an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space, which opens onto a freshly landscaped garden and pool area. An upper level was added, with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a teen retreat. Outside, a new studio provides quiet space for the owners to work from home.
“They wanted the home to be comfortable and inviting, with nothing too precious – it needed to be able to cope with two teenagers and visitors,” says Cosway. “It had to be sophisticated, with some historical references, along with a slight industrial edge. The female client also wanted to incorporate her two favourite colours – dark blue and teal.”
Joinery: Navurban. Benchtops: Dekton by Cosentino. Pippi splashback tiles: Perini Tiles.
The dark and minimalist kitchen at the heart of the new rear extension brings in the sophisticated-meets-industrial vibes the couple was after.
“They wanted the kitchen to be low-maintenance, with durable and easy-to-clean finishes,” says Cosway. “Practicality and functionality were key, so we opted for a tiled splashback above the oven rather than extending the window splashback, which would have been a bigger job to clean.”
The dark and minimalist kitchen at the heart of the new rear extension brings in the sophisticated-meets-industrial vibes the couple was after.
“They wanted the kitchen to be low-maintenance, with durable and easy-to-clean finishes,” says Cosway. “Practicality and functionality were key, so we opted for a tiled splashback above the oven rather than extending the window splashback, which would have been a bigger job to clean.”
Flooring: recycled engineered timber floorboards. Dining table: Ligne Roset. Pendant: Christopher Boots. Dining chairs: Cosh Living.
The kitchen and adjoining dining area connect with a new outdoor entertaining space, complete with a pizza oven and barbecue.
The kitchen and adjoining dining area connect with a new outdoor entertaining space, complete with a pizza oven and barbecue.
A built-in bar positioned between the kitchen and dining area can be opened up when the couple is entertaining or concealed behind integrated cabinetry when not in use, creating a seamless look for the day to day.
Sofas: Ligne Roset. Rug: Armadillo.
“The client wanted the open-plan living room in the rear extension to be a relaxed spot that connects with the outdoors where the whole family can gather,” says Cosway.
Double-sided sofas with moveable back cushions make the space more versatile as it allows the family to watch television or look out towards the garden.
“The client wanted the open-plan living room in the rear extension to be a relaxed spot that connects with the outdoors where the whole family can gather,” says Cosway.
Double-sided sofas with moveable back cushions make the space more versatile as it allows the family to watch television or look out towards the garden.
A teal rug from Armadillo brings one of the female owner’s favourite colours into the family living space.
A little built-in console in the hallway provides a handy spot for the owners to set down keys and cards when they come home.
A shapely new swimming pool/spa clad in steely-grey tiles, designed by Formation Landscapes, speaks to the moody tones used indoors.
Colour is not the only thing that makes it feel connected to the interior – its position close to the house means the boys can watch football on TV when they’re sitting in the spa; “an added bonus!” says Cosway.
Browse more images of stunning Australian swimming pools on Houzz
Colour is not the only thing that makes it feel connected to the interior – its position close to the house means the boys can watch football on TV when they’re sitting in the spa; “an added bonus!” says Cosway.
Browse more images of stunning Australian swimming pools on Houzz
Outdoor setting: Cosh Living.
Deep-cushioned outdoor sofas and armchairs add a cosy and inviting feel to the alfresco area.
Deep-cushioned outdoor sofas and armchairs add a cosy and inviting feel to the alfresco area.
“The formal lounge at the front of the house is an adults’-only retreat – a quiet escape from the busy rear part of the house where the couple can read, reflect, or enjoy a cocktail with friends,” says Cosway. “They wanted it to feel really special.”
Cosway created a luxurious feel with curvaceous, velvet-upholstered armchairs, richly textured curtains and a sumptuous rug underfoot. A newly added leadlight window boosts natural light and makes a nod to the original leadlight window on the front door.
Cosway created a luxurious feel with curvaceous, velvet-upholstered armchairs, richly textured curtains and a sumptuous rug underfoot. A newly added leadlight window boosts natural light and makes a nod to the original leadlight window on the front door.
Armchairs: Domo. Coffee table: Cosh Living.
“All the furniture in the house is new, but there were a couple of art pieces from the owners’ collection with great sentimental value that we incorporated,” says Cosway.
“All the furniture in the house is new, but there were a couple of art pieces from the owners’ collection with great sentimental value that we incorporated,” says Cosway.
The once-sparse main bedroom at the front of the house has been transformed into a cocooning oasis, with navy silk wallpaper on the walls, contrasted with a taupe bedhead and curtains. Crisp white on the ceiling and trims highlights the room’s charming, original detailing.
Meanwhile, a neighbouring bedroom has been turned into an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, creating the private, retreat-like feel the owners were after.
Meanwhile, a neighbouring bedroom has been turned into an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, creating the private, retreat-like feel the owners were after.
Wall and ceiling lights: Rakumba.
“The main bedroom is at the front of the house and the first room you see, so it really needed to make a statement,” says Cosway. “We looked to make it feel luxurious and sophisticated, and to embrace original features, such as the fireplace.”
“The main bedroom is at the front of the house and the first room you see, so it really needed to make a statement,” says Cosway. “We looked to make it feel luxurious and sophisticated, and to embrace original features, such as the fireplace.”
The fireplace was restored and its woodwork surround painted in white so as to make it a focal point of the room.
Porcelanosa floor and wall tiles: Earp Bros. Basins: Robert Gordon. Living Bronze tapware: Sussex Taps.
“The client wanted their ensuite to be simple and modern, with a sophisticated and gender-neutral palette that incorporated soft greys and teal,” says Cosway.
“The client wanted their ensuite to be simple and modern, with a sophisticated and gender-neutral palette that incorporated soft greys and teal,” says Cosway.
“In consultation with the client, we chose teal for the vanity, topped with a pair of organically shaped stoneware basins. Meanwhile, soft-grey tiles running from floor to ceiling create a lovely, neutral base – these tiles have a beautiful texture, which adds another layer of interest to the scheme.
“I selected living bronze tapware to create a link with the home’s original heritage,” she says.
“I selected living bronze tapware to create a link with the home’s original heritage,” she says.
Wall tiles: Perini. Joinery doors: Albedor thermo-formed doors.
The dysfunctional laundry in the old lean-to was replaced with a sleek and highly functional new design, packed with practical features, including space for four laundry baskets, a long bench for folding and a built-in ironing board. “We kept it light and airy with plenty of white, with some touches of blue as an accent,” says Cosway.
The dysfunctional laundry in the old lean-to was replaced with a sleek and highly functional new design, packed with practical features, including space for four laundry baskets, a long bench for folding and a built-in ironing board. “We kept it light and airy with plenty of white, with some touches of blue as an accent,” says Cosway.
The new mud room opposite the laundry features extensive custom joinery, with designated space for each teenager to store their school blazer, bags and textbooks, plus handy charging stations.
There’s also space to stash sports equipment and pet supplies, and a built-in bench seat with storage for 20 pairs of running shoes.
There’s also space to stash sports equipment and pet supplies, and a built-in bench seat with storage for 20 pairs of running shoes.
The mud room.
A concrete basin in soft blue by Nood Co brings in the accent colour the owners were after.
The powder/ shower room. Floor tiles: Artisan Bamble.
Patterned navy and white floor tiles create an eye-catching feature in the powder/shower room downstairs, while referencing the home’s history.
Patterned navy and white floor tiles create an eye-catching feature in the powder/shower room downstairs, while referencing the home’s history.
The powder room. Tabac Oak laminate: Lamicolour. Basin: Nook Co. Living Bronze tapware: Sussex Taps.
Your turn
What is your favourite feature in this rejuvenated home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Would you like to see another family’s heritage home makeover? Check out this Sydney Houzz: From Empty Shell to a Luxe, Layered Delight
Your turn
What is your favourite feature in this rejuvenated home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Would you like to see another family’s heritage home makeover? Check out this Sydney Houzz: From Empty Shell to a Luxe, Layered Delight
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two teenage boys
Location: Yarraville, Victoria
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms before works: Four bedrooms, one bathroom
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a separate studio
House size before works: 130 square metres
House size after works: 390 square metres (including studio)
Number of levels before works: One
Number of levels after works: Two
Budget: AU$1.5 million plus
Year of purchase: 2019
Year project completed: 2022
Interior design: Frances Cosway, founder and design director at White Pebble Interiors
Shoot stylist: Bask Interiors
Landscape designer: Formation Landscapes
Builder: Backman Builders
How did you use Houzz for this project?
“Our clients shared Houzz ideabooks with us so we could see exactly what they liked. We then used Houzz Pro software for the specifications. The feature we liked best was being able to create a shortlist of fittings and fixtures that our client could then simply accept or decline,” says Cosway.