Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A 1950s Home Reno in Canberra
An award-winning renovation 1950s abode creates the perfect sanctuary for the family of four who live there
Originally attracted to the property by its garden of rare plants, the ‘good bones’ of the house were merely a bonus for the young Canberra couple who purchased the property in 2003. While they loved the original Mid-century style of the 1950s home, they immediately recognised the need for a contemporary update.
With utmost respect for the home’s original character, the couple set out on the first of three stages of renovations. They employed the services of local architects Blair Mullins and Paul Tilse for a succinct plan to open up the interior for functional modern living. Then, with the help of family friend and interior designer Jan Pollock, a scheme of warming earthy tones in keeping with the couple’s naturalist tendencies was devised.
The project was seamlessly executed by local builder Bruce Wallace Plummer, whose quality workmanship, understanding and flexible nature were something of a blessing for the couple, allowing them to comfortably make variations to the plan and work on the project in an organic way.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stuart and Zoe Smith, with their children Edward (7) and Matilda (9), and Aloysius the rabbit
Size: Four bedrooms; three bathrooms
When was it built? Original 1950s build with a master bedroom added in 1977
With utmost respect for the home’s original character, the couple set out on the first of three stages of renovations. They employed the services of local architects Blair Mullins and Paul Tilse for a succinct plan to open up the interior for functional modern living. Then, with the help of family friend and interior designer Jan Pollock, a scheme of warming earthy tones in keeping with the couple’s naturalist tendencies was devised.
The project was seamlessly executed by local builder Bruce Wallace Plummer, whose quality workmanship, understanding and flexible nature were something of a blessing for the couple, allowing them to comfortably make variations to the plan and work on the project in an organic way.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stuart and Zoe Smith, with their children Edward (7) and Matilda (9), and Aloysius the rabbit
Size: Four bedrooms; three bathrooms
When was it built? Original 1950s build with a master bedroom added in 1977
Flow was achieved by adding two large openings to the kitchen; one a walkway and the other a pass-through which serves a functional purpose with meals easily handed straight from the kitchen to the dining table while also providing a clear division between the two rooms.
A change in floor finish also helps to subtly define the kitchen space with use of a dark polished concrete-look porcelain tile creating a heavy anchor for the light and bright kitchen cabinetry and benchtops. A reflective stainless-steel kicker gives the cabinetry a floating appearance that is complemented by the high gloss two-pack polyurethane cupboards, crisp white Caesarstone benchtop in ‘Snow’ and white glass splashback. The overall effect is one of bright, clean sophistication and light with the added benefit of easy maintenance.
A change in floor finish also helps to subtly define the kitchen space with use of a dark polished concrete-look porcelain tile creating a heavy anchor for the light and bright kitchen cabinetry and benchtops. A reflective stainless-steel kicker gives the cabinetry a floating appearance that is complemented by the high gloss two-pack polyurethane cupboards, crisp white Caesarstone benchtop in ‘Snow’ and white glass splashback. The overall effect is one of bright, clean sophistication and light with the added benefit of easy maintenance.
Interior designer Jan Pollock oversaw a custom dining setting with a table comprising stainless-steel legs and a two-pack polyurethane top to match the kitchen cupboards. A comfortable fully upholstered dining chair with timber legs accompanies the table and is complemented beautifully by a stunning hand-knotted silk rug beneath.
To the left of the dining table hangs a portrait of Zoe and their first child, Matilda, by artist Christine Henderson.
Dining setting: custom made, Dream Design Furniture; rug: Cadrys
To the left of the dining table hangs a portrait of Zoe and their first child, Matilda, by artist Christine Henderson.
Dining setting: custom made, Dream Design Furniture; rug: Cadrys
Armed with a knowledge of the family’s love for the Australian bush and nature, Pollock came up with a colour scheme of warming, earthy tones with striking mustard yellow and olive-grey highlights. A bright white ceiling and light skirtings in a semi-gloss finish give the space a fresh, clean look. New hardwood floorboards in spotted gum were laid with a natural polished finish allowing the innate grain and characteristics of the timber to shine through.
Walls: Dulux ‘Cane Toad’ and ‘Swampy’; skirtings: Dulux semi-gloss ‘Apparition’
Walls: Dulux ‘Cane Toad’ and ‘Swampy’; skirtings: Dulux semi-gloss ‘Apparition’
Artwork plays an important role throughout the house forming strong visual focal points and personal references to each space. Looking down the hallway to the living room presents a stunning view of the latest addition in the family’s artwork collection from Braidwood artist, Kate Stevens.
An Aboriginal ancestry painting by Karen Casey in earthy tones creates a calming mood.
An ever-changing rotation of seasonal floral arrangements, such as the one shown here on the buffet, present themselves throughout the house and are often accompanied by a gathering of collected curiosities sourced from world travels and rummages at local garage sales and thrift stores.
The family’s love of the outdoors and reverence for nature is apparent from the minute you enter the home with a full-height window looking directly out to a protected area of the garden where tree ferns grow in abundance. The view acts as a living artwork with the window framing the masterpiece behind. An Indonesian wooden sculpture which Stuart found in a garden sale on the south coast sits in front.
An eclectic mix of furniture surrounds the house including some iconic Mid-century pieces that tie in with the ‘50s style of the home. Here, two vintage Parker-style armchairs complement the original built-in window bench seating behind. The simple addition of an upholstered cushion along the bench makes this an ideal spot for the kids to lie down with a book in the sun.
The home strikes just the right balance between being open plan and also having rooms that can be shut off from the main living areas to form a private sanctuary for every member of the family.
Just off the main living area is a room donned the ‘kids room’ where full-height cupboards provide great household storage. Some fun vinyl stickers on the cupboard doors give the room a playful atmosphere and a favourite train play table given as a gift a few years ago acts as the kids version of a coffee table.
Just off the main living area is a room donned the ‘kids room’ where full-height cupboards provide great household storage. Some fun vinyl stickers on the cupboard doors give the room a playful atmosphere and a favourite train play table given as a gift a few years ago acts as the kids version of a coffee table.
The next room along is the music room where a recent purchase of a Yamaha piano is a much-loved addition to the family home. Both children enjoy practising, and having a dedicated room off from the main area of the house is ideal. Some original quirky inclusions, such as the small corner shelf, is a nod to the home’s 1950s vintage.
The children’s bedrooms are ideally located on the next level down from the main living areas and are reached through a generous and functional hallway. Rather than put in a pokey hallway, as was the original plan, the owners sought to “awake the space” by utilising it as a study and creating an attractive, light-filled passage to the garden.
Here, the spotted gum timber inset shelves and benchtop are a nice accompaniment to the floors beneath in the same wood. The couple painted an old hand-me-down chair white for a fresh look and a striking hand-woven rug from Kashmir lies on the floor behind.
Here, the spotted gum timber inset shelves and benchtop are a nice accompaniment to the floors beneath in the same wood. The couple painted an old hand-me-down chair white for a fresh look and a striking hand-woven rug from Kashmir lies on the floor behind.
The couple wanted the two children’s bedrooms to be a celebration of childhood –something they consider should be cherished and is gone all too soon. With this in mind each of the children’s rooms have been fittingly decorated.
Here, Matilda’s bedroom is a flutter in Porter’s Original Paints ‘Dragonfly’ wallpaper with adjoining walls painted in a matching lilac. A layer of sheer lavender fabric adds a soft feminine touch to the window dressings, while a screen-printed Zaishu bedside table ties in with the whimsical graphics of the wallpaper behind.
The bed is an original 1880s wrought-iron French antique and is in excellent condition. Being from the 1800s, though, the bed’s signatory short length will sadly not suffice for the growing needs of this little girl for too much longer.
Here, Matilda’s bedroom is a flutter in Porter’s Original Paints ‘Dragonfly’ wallpaper with adjoining walls painted in a matching lilac. A layer of sheer lavender fabric adds a soft feminine touch to the window dressings, while a screen-printed Zaishu bedside table ties in with the whimsical graphics of the wallpaper behind.
The bed is an original 1880s wrought-iron French antique and is in excellent condition. Being from the 1800s, though, the bed’s signatory short length will sadly not suffice for the growing needs of this little girl for too much longer.
Some of the dragonflies appear to flutter straight off the wall with the additional wings adding a playful three-dimensional feature to the wallpaper.
An antique typographer’s tray mounted to the wall provides the perfect location for Matilda’s much-loved collection of small treasures to be showcased in a creative way.
A small collection of precious items, including a vintage Minnie Mouse statuette, sits on an antique bookcase.
Edward’s bedroom is a fanfare of flags with a unique hand-painted Dutch wallpaper taking centrestage and creating the perfect backdrop for pirate games to be played. A simple solid timber bed is dressed in a classic blue and white tartan quilt to tie in with the blue colour scheme of the room.
Beside the bed sits an antique oak table that was a gift from Edward’s late grandfather. Here, a vibrant posy of poppies and roses bring colour and life to the space.
A curtain was custom made with a rainbow trim of colours to match the wallpaper opposite. Two cushions in the same fabric were made for the bed, but are more often than not used as floor cushions.
The downstairs children’s bathroom utilises natural light and space by having full-height windows surrounding the frameless shower recess. Adjustable louvers were installed to the outside of the windows to provide sufficient privacy while making the most of the natural light and view of the garden.
A neutral palette of warm grey was used for the floor and wall tiles with a slightly darker shade of grey laminate applied to the custom made vanity. A Superman clock keeps an eye on the time for the morning dash for school.
A neutral palette of warm grey was used for the floor and wall tiles with a slightly darker shade of grey laminate applied to the custom made vanity. A Superman clock keeps an eye on the time for the morning dash for school.
Two recessed shelves in the shower provide each child with their own nook for toiletries and is in keeping with the streamlined, minimalist design of the bathroom.
The 1977 addition of an upstairs master bedroom suite remained virtually untouched during the couple’s more recent renovations. They loved the original cedar cladding and built-in window seat with storage.
Stuart and Zoe merely sought to freshen the master bedroom. They achieved this by replacing the carpet and painting the ceiling in a bright white. As with the downstairs areas, they installed LED downlights and added low-profile roller-blinds to the windows as a low-impact window treatment that would not detract from the treetop view when retracted.
Aloysius the rabbit is the beloved family pet. Far less demanding than any cat or dog, he is perfectly house-trained and is allowed to hop about the house at his leisure.
Aloysius particularly enjoys the comfort of the master bedroom’s upholstered window seat and can often be found there nibbling on books; or “de-cluttering” as Zoe likes to put it, adding that “having a rabbit that eats books and paper, and many other things, is a great asset!”
The most recent update to the house was the aesthetic renovation of the master bedroom ensuite.
By retaining the the original layout, classic 1970s floor tiles and cupboard doors, Zoe undertook a low-cost update to the space.
A new benchtop with updated fixtures was installed and the couple re-sprayed the existing bathtub to a fresh white. The innovative specification of a bright blue pool tile for the walls achieved the vibrant look they wanted without an expensive price tag.
By retaining the the original layout, classic 1970s floor tiles and cupboard doors, Zoe undertook a low-cost update to the space.
A new benchtop with updated fixtures was installed and the couple re-sprayed the existing bathtub to a fresh white. The innovative specification of a bright blue pool tile for the walls achieved the vibrant look they wanted without an expensive price tag.
The front gates are a recent addition and one of Stuart and Zoe’s favourite features of the home. Custom made out of laser-cut rusted steel by artist Nyree L. Smith, they provide privacy from the street and an attractive division from the carport to the house. The intricate, exotic pattern gives a sense of the character-filled home behind the gates.
A friend’s father constructed a timber panel wall in a zigzag formation to act as a facade to the agricultural zone of chooks and a work shed. While serving a practical purpose, the weathered timber also creates an attractive rustic backdrop to the garden in front.
The family eagerly await the spring when the garden will come to life in an abundance of colour and fragrance. Here, two Chinese maples shiver out the winter months with the promise of bright green foliage in spring turning to flame red in the autumn.
The large picture windows provide the interior with an unobstructed view of the ever-changing seasons that unfold before them.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home or see more inspiring projects.
The large picture windows provide the interior with an unobstructed view of the ever-changing seasons that unfold before them.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home or see more inspiring projects.
Reproduction Chinese buffet: The Silk Road Gallery; Antique French mirror: Longbarn