A high fence around a home always elicits curiosity in passers-by. Should you peep over the high brick fence at this circa-1888 abode in Melbourne’s inner south-east, you’ll find a lushly planted garden – but no further clues as to what lies beyond. Step through the gate and walk up the garden path, however, and a charming Italianate villa is revealed. But that’s not the only surprise in store.
Built on an 880m2 block – unusually large for the inner city – the house was in virtually original condition apart from the kitchen/living area, which had been renovated in the 1980s and felt out of step with the rest of the home.
Kathy and her husband JP admit that when they bought the house in 2005, they weren’t exactly sure what could or should be done to transform it into the family home they’d dreamt of for themselves and their three children, Harper, Milla and Cuba, all now teenagers. They lived in the house as it was for a decade before engaging their heritage-architect friend Roger Beeston, director of RBA Architects+Conservation Consultants, in 2015, to sensitively modernise the home. “It got to the point where it was now or never,” says JP.
This story is from the October 2019 edition of Australian House & Garden Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2019 edition of Australian House & Garden Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WORLD of roses
These symbols of peace, joy and love are said to be more than 35 million years old.
Time TRAVELLER
A Sydney family gives their heritage home the garden it deserves, with help from a dream team of experts.
Calming canopy
INVITING THE OUTSIDE IN HAS TURNED THIS EXPANSIVE ENSUITE INTO A BLISSFUL RETREAT.
A CERTAIN CHARM
A young couple enlists the expertise of a savvy team to refresh and expand their original 1930s Brisbane worker's cottage into a light-filled family home.
UP TICK
Creating better connections inside and out through clever design brought this family's vision to life.
MOODY beauty
Gently curved forms and shadowy grey tones give this Edwardian home, in a leafy neighbourhood of Melbourne, a refined character.
SEASIDE story
A creative couple design a relaxed yet refined coastal getaway for their family on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Luli Farrell
Having developed an appreciation of beautiful surrounds from a young age, the ABI Interiors co-founder and designer has found her calling.
WITH love
What better way to turn up the romance than with this delicious Valentine's Day dinner menu for two from The Cordony Kitchen.
A COLOURFUL LIFE
Design duo Bonnie and Neil have turned their creative hands to their own home with the same exuberance and passion they bestow on all their projects.