DRAMA CLASS

In the hands of a passionate owner and a thoughtful interior designer, this Melbourne property was transformed from a ho-hum home into a real scene stealer.

- Chris Pearson

Homeowner Paula says she was underwhelmed when she first viewed this property in late 2011. “I just didn’t know what I could do with it,” she says of the four-bedroom home in Melbourne’s southeast. “It had a 1970s addition, with the world’s ugliest kitchen, no bench space, and a living and dining area that didn’t flow.” She forgot about it until months later, when she noticed it had been passed in at auction. “My best friend and I went to look at it again,” says Paula. “With fresh eyes, I could see its potential.”

She found herself falling in love with the original section of the home. Built-in 1912, it boasted pressed-metal ceilings, cornices, architraves and carved-timber fireplaces, all lovingly preserved. “It had a striking octagonal entrance hall and beautifully proportioned rooms with high ceilings,” she says.  Being a keen gardener, she was also excited about the sprawling 1000-square-metre block.