Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Edwardian at the Front, Modern at the Back
An Edwardian cottage transforms into the ultimate family home for six
While it may look like a traditional Edwardian house from the street, out the back of this property is a space tailor-made for 21st-century living. When Jenna and Jon Purcell first viewed their Edwardian home in the Melbourne suburb of Deepdene in 2006, they were attracted to a large block with beautiful northern sunshine in the backyard. It was more than big enough for their family at that stage, however, as the size of the family grew, they realised the home needed to grow with them to accommodate the needs of children approaching teen years.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jenna and Jon Purcell, with their four children, Zoe, 15, Sam, 12, Emma, 9, and Max, 6
Where: Deepdene, Victoria
Size: 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jenna and Jon Purcell, with their four children, Zoe, 15, Sam, 12, Emma, 9, and Max, 6
Where: Deepdene, Victoria
Size: 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
The original Edwardian facade gives little indication of the contemporary renovation that lies in the back of the home.
Dulux ‘Natural White’ was used throughout both the interior and exterior of the home, for a clean canvas. Jenna says her decorating style is neutral, simple and functional. The master bedroom is one of the original bedrooms in the front of the home.
Linen doona cover: Target Home; lamp: Albi Imports
Linen doona cover: Target Home; lamp: Albi Imports
Original features were left in place in the front of the house, including this fireplace, which makes the room a little bit more cosy.
Jenna has also used antique pieces to decorate this part of the house, including this beautiful oak chest of drawers.
The downstairs bathroom is more contemporary, located in the new addition of the house and is used by Jenna and Jon.
Taps: Methven
Taps: Methven
As is often the case, the kitchen island is the heart of the family’s home life. A lot of meals are eaten here, while the family catches up on one another’s days. “The kitchen bench is the hub of the house.” Jenna says, “and I love it when the kids come home from school and sit up there, eating me out of house and home and telling me about their day.”
Silver Cloud granite benchtop: Corsi e Nicolai
Silver Cloud granite benchtop: Corsi e Nicolai
Stender cleverly included mirrors throughout the renovation, such as this splashback in the kitchen, to maximise the light and space. This piece also allows Jenna to keep an eye on the kids in the backyard, even when she has her back to them at the stove.
Jenna originally wanted an all-white kitchen, but Stender convinced her to mix in some dark grey to add depth to the space. Jenna advises other renovators and homeowners to always trust your architect; “They can see the end result in their minds and while you might think something isn’t going to work, it usually does!” she says. Cabinetry is a combination of Formica Silk Finish in ‘Warm White’ and Laminex ‘New Graphite’ laminates.
Kitchen table: Jardan; chairs and stools: RelaxHouse Furniture
From the kitchen bench there is a view down to the side entrance of the home, which is the most used entrance. The mudroom off to the side of it is where school bags and dirty shoes get placed as the kids get home from school.
An office nook was built in the open-plan kitchen and dining area, where checking emails and studying can be done.
“One of the best features of the house is the glass dividing door between the kitchen and family room, so while the spaces feel open we can eliminate the noise by sliding the door across. With four kids we have lots of noise!” says Jenna.
The family room is Jenna’s favourite space in the house. “It gets the beautiful morning sun and even in winter, it’s the best spot to eat your breakfast. We have a fireplace so in winter this room is cosy and warm,” she says. Even during the winter, the back living room gets flooded with warm sunlight, and the inclusion of the gas log fireplace adds an extra element of warmth if necessary. The TV was deliberately placed against a black background to minimise its presence.
Sofa: King Furniture; light fixture: ISM Objects
Sofa: King Furniture; light fixture: ISM Objects
On the other wall is a piece Jenna and Jon had commissioned while on holiday in the Northern Territory.
Ottoman: King Furniture
Ottoman: King Furniture
The extension of the timber panelling is a clever way of combining the indoors and outdoors. When the sliding doors are open the transition is seamless.
Aged smoked flooring: Royal Oak
Aged smoked flooring: Royal Oak
Noughts and crosses: Kmart
Jenna wanted something different for the splashback in the laundry, but didn’t want anything too out there that she would later regret. She later decided on these Puzzle mosaic tiles from Academy Tiles, which she loves.
Upstairs is the kids’ domain. Jenna explains that this upstairs area is essentially a square space with a bedroom in each corner.
The two boys share their own bathroom and the girls share the other one. This is the boys’ bathroom decorated with blue and yellow towels to keep it masculine and fun.
The girls’ bathroom looks very similar to the boys’, but with pink accents from the towels.
Each of the bedrooms have full-length picture windows facing either north or south depending on the corner, and an additional high window on the east and west sides. This is Emma’s room in the south-east corner.
Bedlinen: Adairs; desk: Ikea; beanbag: Target
Bedlinen: Adairs; desk: Ikea; beanbag: Target
Max’s room is on the south-west corner and boasts a bunk bed for when he has friends over for sleepovers.
Zoe’s room in the north-east corner is just as bright and open as her siblings’ bedrooms. Fun, bright colours decorate her room.
Another domain for the kids is the backyard. A swimming pool and astro turf basketball court make it a paradise for the young ones that gets used every day.
The family were initially unsure about adding in the basketball court details, but now absolutely love it. A few of Jenna and Jon’s friends have even copied the feature.
Outdoor table and benches: Tait
The north-facing back part of the house is full of sunny pockets throughout the day, which Jenna enjoys sitting in.
Sun lounges: Freedom
The family love their home and advise others to always go with the less-is-more approach when decorating and renovating. “It’s also well worth investing in someone with experience in interiors to help you make decisions about those big ticket items!” Jenna says.
Acapulco chairs: Kmart
TELL US
What do you like about this family home? Let us know in the Comments section.
Acapulco chairs: Kmart
TELL US
What do you like about this family home? Let us know in the Comments section.
“It was a long, well-thought-out process that stopped and started, but we are thrilled with the outcome,” says Jenna. “We have been back living in the house for six months.”