PICTURE perfect

A century-old weatherboard in Melbourne's north-east is given a storybook finish for a young family yearning for their forever home.

-  Hanna Marton

A photographer is usually the last to set foot in a renovated house. The paint is dry, the furniture is in, and the freshly minted home is ready for a close-up. But in this story, snapper Tess Kelly was one of the first to cross the threshold. Owners Nick and Kasia won the Edwardian weatherboard in Melbourne’s north-east at auction in 2019. Being Nick’s sister, Tess soon got a preview of the “renovator’s delight”. Then, it was Tess who recommended builder Simon Cerra of Blueprint Constructions since she had captured many of his previous projects. Simon in turn recommended architect Barbara Weimar to redesign the hodgepodge floor plan. And just like that, first-time renovators Nick and Kasia had assembled their all-star team — in reverse order.

“I’ve never thought about it before, but it all happened backwards!” laughs Simon.

Set on a generous block, the charming 1906 house was the only property the couple looked at. They fell in love with its character and original features, such as leadlight windows and a fairytale oak tree in the front garden. For Nick, it evoked memories of growing up in the Macedon Ranges. “I felt that we could have the best of both worlds,” he explains. “To live in the city but it feels rural in many ways. The river and the Darebin Parklands are close by, as well.” With two young daughters, the family had been rapidly outgrowing their then home, which was a two-bedroom apartment.