My Houzz: A Mid-Century Revival That Goes the Distance
A mid-century classic is transformed into an architect's 21st-century dream home, while retaining its original charms
Lisa Atkinson
25 December 2016
Houzz Contributor. I am an interiors, commercial lifestyle, and fine art photographer based in Frankston South, just out of Melbourne on the stunning Mornington Peninsula. I have been professionally photographing for over 25 years, and have worked with many talented interior designers and builders, both residentially and commercially.
Houzz Contributor. I am an interiors, commercial lifestyle, and fine art photographer... More
It was a lucky day when the Elia family chanced upon a run-down, mid-century modern home for sale in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburb of Heathmont. Jeremy Elia, a trained architect, could immediately see the architectural value of the house. The use of a flat roof, cantilevers, large expanses of glass, flat planes and an open plan particularly caught his attention. Despite the mid-century modern house being a rarity in that area in 2003, it had languished on the market for eight months due to the unusual design and the major work needed to bring it back to life.
That work, which Elia happily took on, meant almost entirely refurbishing the home, although where possible original features were kept. The renovation included adding a larger and more modern kitchen, with new joinery and appliances, a new larger laundry, a bigger master bedroom with a new ensuite and walk-through robe, a relaxed living/dining area, a refurbished existing bathroom and new flooring throughout. The renovations also increased the overall floor space of the home by 30 per cent.
That work, which Elia happily took on, meant almost entirely refurbishing the home, although where possible original features were kept. The renovation included adding a larger and more modern kitchen, with new joinery and appliances, a new larger laundry, a bigger master bedroom with a new ensuite and walk-through robe, a relaxed living/dining area, a refurbished existing bathroom and new flooring throughout. The renovations also increased the overall floor space of the home by 30 per cent.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jeremy and Olga Elia, with their family Anastasia, 16 (not pictured), George, 13, and Jacqueline, 10
Location: Heathmont, Victoria
Size: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
When Elia saw the house from the outside, he fell in love with it straight away. But first, he had to convince his wife that it had potential and was the right house for them. “It stood out from all the houses in the area and back then mid-century modern homes weren’t as popular as they are now,” he says.
At face value, it needed extensive work due to the rotten timber cladding that was covered in thick paint. There was very little if any insulation, it had a leaking roof and very odd extensions that had been added on to the house over the years. But what Elia found most peculiar was the position of the laundry, which was located in the now living area – with the best views in the house!
Who lives here: Jeremy and Olga Elia, with their family Anastasia, 16 (not pictured), George, 13, and Jacqueline, 10
Location: Heathmont, Victoria
Size: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
When Elia saw the house from the outside, he fell in love with it straight away. But first, he had to convince his wife that it had potential and was the right house for them. “It stood out from all the houses in the area and back then mid-century modern homes weren’t as popular as they are now,” he says.
At face value, it needed extensive work due to the rotten timber cladding that was covered in thick paint. There was very little if any insulation, it had a leaking roof and very odd extensions that had been added on to the house over the years. But what Elia found most peculiar was the position of the laundry, which was located in the now living area – with the best views in the house!
The house was built in the late ’50s by the local doctor, and is positioned on a large block with the majority of the house being seen from the street. However, it’s elevated high enough to allow for privacy.
The roof is almost flat, but it appears to float above the walls when viewed from the street. This, along with the use of cantilever, lightens the weight of the home from the street view. Other key architectural features include the adjustable vertical louvres on the street facade, and the metal chain that is connected to the protruding gutter. The chain visually anchors the house back to the ground, but also functions as an overflow for the gutters; this is a quintessential architectural feature of mid-century design.
The roof is almost flat, but it appears to float above the walls when viewed from the street. This, along with the use of cantilever, lightens the weight of the home from the street view. Other key architectural features include the adjustable vertical louvres on the street facade, and the metal chain that is connected to the protruding gutter. The chain visually anchors the house back to the ground, but also functions as an overflow for the gutters; this is a quintessential architectural feature of mid-century design.
As you go up the stairs and approach the front door, you step onto decking and see glimpses of the interior through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The house is designed to lightly touch the ground and appear like it is floating. This will become more evident as the vegetation grows around most of the house. They have mass planted acacia limelights, which when fully grown will look like green clouds with the house floating above them.
The house is designed to lightly touch the ground and appear like it is floating. This will become more evident as the vegetation grows around most of the house. They have mass planted acacia limelights, which when fully grown will look like green clouds with the house floating above them.
As you enter the house, there’s a long passageway which opens up into the living areas, dining and kitchen areas. A sense of open space is immediate as you walk behind the feature wall to see the beautiful view out towards the hills.
“The entry passageway features an internal wall that doesn’t touch the ceiling and creates a functional element that separates two spaces – the kitchen and entry,” says Elia. The featured wallpaper emulates a monochromatic mid-century design motif. The Stelton Time Wall Clock provides a contemporary look with the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9 speaker, which doubles as a design feature in the home.
“The entry passageway features an internal wall that doesn’t touch the ceiling and creates a functional element that separates two spaces – the kitchen and entry,” says Elia. The featured wallpaper emulates a monochromatic mid-century design motif. The Stelton Time Wall Clock provides a contemporary look with the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9 speaker, which doubles as a design feature in the home.
The Platner Arm Chair (upholstered in velvet) and Platner Side Table are a part of the steady collection of mid-century furniture Elia has collected over the last 11 years, knowing they would fit perfectly into the look and feel of the home.
Elia’s favourite spot is the sitting area positioned between the kitchen and the formal living area. It has great views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows, out towards the decking, the water feature, the trees and horizon beyond.
Womb chair and ottoman: Knoll; long ottoman: B&B Italia; Ring table: Interstudio; Atollo table lamp: Oluce
Womb chair and ottoman: Knoll; long ottoman: B&B Italia; Ring table: Interstudio; Atollo table lamp: Oluce
The home was extended north and west, bringing it closer to the street and creating a larger kitchen, dining and living area. The other end of the house was extended further south to create a larger master bedroom, as seen beyond the open slat-wall door.
LCW Chair: Eames; Coupe table and floor lamp: Oluce; 4-seat sofa: Jardan
LCW Chair: Eames; Coupe table and floor lamp: Oluce; 4-seat sofa: Jardan
The family loves the original feature of the timber slat wall on either side of the fireplace, with one side concealing the entrance to the master bedroom.
A simple gallery-style track light extends the entire length of the house, providing the main light sources to most of the areas throughout the entry level. Softer floor and table lamps and feature lights are used to create more intimate lighting in other areas.
A simple gallery-style track light extends the entire length of the house, providing the main light sources to most of the areas throughout the entry level. Softer floor and table lamps and feature lights are used to create more intimate lighting in other areas.
“There are a number of key items that really characterise the decor in our home. These are a mixture of ’50s, ’60s and ’70s design items mixed with more contemporary pieces,” says Elia of the mid-century combinations throughout the home. “I try to keep things as simple as possible, but love so many furniture pieces that it’s been difficult to not make the house look like a furniture showroom.”
He looks for beautifully styled, high-quality products. “I prefer spending more money on the authentic items because the subtlety in some of the detailing and quality of workmanship is a lot better. I still have a few replica pieces (such as the Eames lounge chair above), but over time will look at replacing these with genuine items.”
Coupe 3321 floor lamp: Oluce
He looks for beautifully styled, high-quality products. “I prefer spending more money on the authentic items because the subtlety in some of the detailing and quality of workmanship is a lot better. I still have a few replica pieces (such as the Eames lounge chair above), but over time will look at replacing these with genuine items.”
Coupe 3321 floor lamp: Oluce
The interior finishes have been pared back to a simple smoked and black oak veneer floor, white walls and charcoal feature walls. The texture and colour come from the various furniture items, art pieces and rugs etc.
Artwork: Sam Shmith
Artwork: Sam Shmith
As a student, Jeremy had been very much inspired by the work of legendary architect Harry Seidler, especially the homes he designed in the early years of his career when he first arrived in Australia. He recognised many similar elements in this home including the open-plan layout, the simple use of planes, flat roof and window frame composition.
After over 11 years of planning and completing the renovation, the family has utilised 21st century elements to create their dream home from this 20th century classic.
After over 11 years of planning and completing the renovation, the family has utilised 21st century elements to create their dream home from this 20th century classic.
Alfredo vase: Georg Jensen
On the southern side of the home, a balcony runs the length of the formal living area and master bedroom, maximising views across the outer eastern suburbs to Glen Waverley, where Jeremy and Olga both grew up.
The eight-seater dining table is custom made, with a stainless steel frame and carrara marble top, accompanied by Herman Miller Eames Aluminium Group chairs.
PH Snowball pendants: Louis Poulsen
PH Snowball pendants: Louis Poulsen
Beyond the timber slat wall and fireplace in the formal living area, the master bedroom was extended from what was originally a small office space, into a large and peaceful sanctuary with a large walk-through robe off one side leading to a contemporary ensuite.
Spun Light T table lamp: Flos; Eames DSR chairs: Herman Miller
Spun Light T table lamp: Flos; Eames DSR chairs: Herman Miller
The block was originally the site of the local quarry, so deep cliff faces are features in the backyard. The cut cliff extends through the middle of the block and the house is nestled in the quarry cut, creating a lower section for the house. From the window of the master bedroom on the middle level of the home, the cut rock is visible.
Sciangai coat stand: Zanotta
Sciangai coat stand: Zanotta
“I’d describe my decorating style as uncluttered and really focused on furniture pieces rather than decorative elements,” says Elia. “Selecting a Florence Broadhurst wallpaper for the ensuite wall was the most decorative we went.”
Catalano handbasin and Logic tapware: Rogerseller
Hansgrohe Raindance Select shower rail and Strap shower accessories: Rogerseller
All three of the childern’s bedrooms are on the home’s upper level. George’s updated bedroom is his teenage haven, while Jacqueline and Anastasia’s rooms are yet to be overhauled as the renovations are only about 90 per cent complete at this stage.
Albert 2-seat sofa: Jardan;
AJ table lamp: Arne Jacobson;
floor lamp: Flos Parentesi
Albert 2-seat sofa: Jardan;
AJ table lamp: Arne Jacobson;
floor lamp: Flos Parentesi
Pops of colour from the bright Ronaldo artwork contrast with the dark colour scheme of George’s bedroom.
“The middle (entry) level is the main active zone of the home and brings us all together. We mainly end up in the kitchen and living room,” says Elia.
The family love the open-plan layout of the main living areas and the fact they can be seen from all angles, as well as the large expanses of windows with great views out to the garden, deck or horizon.
Italia Charles leather ottoman: B&B Italia; Saarinen Executive Chairs and Saarinen Tulip coffee table: Knoll; Twiggy floor lamp: Foscarini
The family love the open-plan layout of the main living areas and the fact they can be seen from all angles, as well as the large expanses of windows with great views out to the garden, deck or horizon.
Italia Charles leather ottoman: B&B Italia; Saarinen Executive Chairs and Saarinen Tulip coffee table: Knoll; Twiggy floor lamp: Foscarini
Louvres on the outside of the home are perfect for controlling the late afternoon sun coming from the west, and are easily adjustable from inside.
Executive arm chair: Knoll
Executive arm chair: Knoll
A tall joinery wall on the street side of the kitchen contains an integrated Gaggenau fridge, freezer and wine fridge. It also contains the pull-out pantry with a beverage pantry on one end of the joinery wall. On the other side is a breakfast nook.
The beverage pantry and breakfast nook are hidden by a set of pocket doors that retract back into the joinery, allowing for increased space when opened. Closed, they make the interior elevation look clean and uncluttered.
Hanging pendants above the island bench look very informal and loose to counterbalance the formal layout of the kitchen joinery.
AIM pendants: Flos
The beverage pantry and breakfast nook are hidden by a set of pocket doors that retract back into the joinery, allowing for increased space when opened. Closed, they make the interior elevation look clean and uncluttered.
Hanging pendants above the island bench look very informal and loose to counterbalance the formal layout of the kitchen joinery.
AIM pendants: Flos
As in many homes, the kitchen is the heart of this house and therefore the family has invested a lot in it. The joinery has been kept to a simple palette in both colours and finishes, with minimal use of cupboard hardware. Appliances are integrated into the joinery to reinforce the simplicity of the design.
The sink is located opposite the island bench and has a mirror splashback, which allows anyone at the sink to look behind them at the view, or look at someone sitting at the stool on the island bench.
Masters stools: Kartel
The sink is located opposite the island bench and has a mirror splashback, which allows anyone at the sink to look behind them at the view, or look at someone sitting at the stool on the island bench.
Masters stools: Kartel
The main financial splurge was the marble kitchen bench. “It’s a beautiful piece that looks monolithic. I specifically selected the slab because of its deep blue veins,” says Elia.
All the appliances in the kitchen are Gaggenau and the stovetop and extractor are positioned on the island bench. The extractor elevates out of the bench and tucks back neatly in when not in use. Again, these were items that were expensive, but viewed as long-term investments.
All the appliances in the kitchen are Gaggenau and the stovetop and extractor are positioned on the island bench. The extractor elevates out of the bench and tucks back neatly in when not in use. Again, these were items that were expensive, but viewed as long-term investments.
From the middle of the kitchen, there are views to both the formal and informal living areas, as well as a full side of windows bringing in the trees and natural light, when the pocket doors are fully open.
Vitra MedaSlim dining chairs are another of Elia’s favourite furniture pieces in the informal dining area.
The floor is a Royal Oak product made of engineered oak veneer in a ‘Black and Smoked’ finish.
The floor is a Royal Oak product made of engineered oak veneer in a ‘Black and Smoked’ finish.
The most significant design challenge for the renovations was to maintain the key features and general design of the mid-century architecture, while bringing it into the 21st century using modern and durable materials. In the end, they clad the entire house in a combination of metal and timber, replaced the roof, and swapped out all of the windows for double-glazed aluminium versions.
External metal cladding in ‘Monument’, external timber cladding in ‘Flooded Gum’: Dulux
External metal cladding in ‘Monument’, external timber cladding in ‘Flooded Gum’: Dulux
On a patio created underneath the cantilever of the upstairs bedrooms, the family can enjoy eating outside on balmy nights. The brickwork sticking out from the wall is an original feature of the home, and reflects the internal staircase leading to the upstairs area.
Honouring the history of the building was one thing Elia was very careful to keep front of mind throughout the renovation. For example, he found out that the first owner and builder of the house sold the property to the late Ron Clarke in 1960. The Olympic athlete and marathon runner, and later in life Gold Coast Mayor, lived in the house for 15 years with his wife and their three children.
“Soon after our renovations were completed, we contacted Ron’s wife and sons and invited them over for morning tea to visit the house and see the new renovations,” says Elia. “They were very appreciative of being invited and reminisced at length about the wonderful times they had living and growing up in the house. They were also very complimentary of the renovations and were glad we maintained most of the elements of the original house.”
TELL US
How do you like this updated mid-century home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
“Soon after our renovations were completed, we contacted Ron’s wife and sons and invited them over for morning tea to visit the house and see the new renovations,” says Elia. “They were very appreciative of being invited and reminisced at length about the wonderful times they had living and growing up in the house. They were also very complimentary of the renovations and were glad we maintained most of the elements of the original house.”
TELL US
How do you like this updated mid-century home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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quite lovely! lots of thought and effort clearly went into this. looks like a very comfortable and livable space.
Absolutely lovely.. and very sympathetic to the original design..
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