Half WINDSOR

Heritage-loving renovators transformed a classic Victorian home in Melbourne, tying old and new together perfectly.

- Carli Philips

EXTERIOR The porch was levelled and resurfaced with new tiles from Victorian Mosaic Tiling, a company that specialises in Victorian and Edwardian English tessellated styles.

HALLWAY Some period plaster details were replicated using latex molds. French-oak chevron flooring, The Good House. Muuto ‘Strand’ pendant lights, In Good Company. Menu ‘Echasse’vase, Design stuff.

DINING Opposite top Ben made the sideboard from American oak. The Undergrowth artwork by Susan Trigg is from Forman Art & Framing.

LIVING Opposite bottom Cuddle lounge chair, Trit House. Vittoria ‘Iris’ sofa, Globe West. Would ‘Sentrum’ side table, In Good Company. Grapetree Hill artwork by Lise Temple, Forman Art & Framing.

Sarah and Ben Harris had just wrapped up a heritage renovation when they found themselves bidding on yet another period home. “We hadn’t expected to buy again this quickly. We hadn’t even settled on our other place and this was the first auction we had been to since selling,” says Ben. But for this Melbourne couple, the opportunity to get their hands on a double-fronted Victorian in the inner suburb of Windsor was just too good to pass up. “Usually, by the time we sell, we’ve forgotten all the pain and stress,” says Ben. “It’s always hard to leave, but we start designing ASAP, so there’s something new to focus on.”