Lifestyle Lift: A Century-Old Home Now Made for Entertaining
This Edwardian home was dark, run-down and a tight squeeze for the family living here – see how it was transformed
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation, redesign or new build each week. Here, Anthony De Melis, business manager at building firm Demardi, reveals how he breathed new life into a seriously dated Edwardian home for a young Melbourne family, with a sunny new rear extension, an extra bedroom and bathroom and refreshed original features.
Can you describe the house?
A single-storey, freestanding Edwardian weatherboard house.
What state was it in when you came on-board?
The house was largely in its original state, apart from some minor renovations had been previously done in the bathroom. There was a circa-1960s lean-to attached to the rear of the house containing a kitchen, living area and laundry.
A single-storey, freestanding Edwardian weatherboard house.
What state was it in when you came on-board?
The house was largely in its original state, apart from some minor renovations had been previously done in the bathroom. There was a circa-1960s lean-to attached to the rear of the house containing a kitchen, living area and laundry.
During works.
What wasn’t working for the client?
The home was dated and in desperate need of a renovation and restoration. The client wanted more space, more functionality and indoor-outdoor connection.
Ready to extend? Find a building designer near you on Houzz
What wasn’t working for the client?
The home was dated and in desperate need of a renovation and restoration. The client wanted more space, more functionality and indoor-outdoor connection.
Ready to extend? Find a building designer near you on Houzz
During works.
What was the client’s brief?
To improve and renovate the home, restore its original features and add a new modern extension at the rear with light-filled open-plan living spaces that contrasted with the rest of the house. We were also tasked with creating a new outdoor entertaining space.
What was the client’s brief?
To improve and renovate the home, restore its original features and add a new modern extension at the rear with light-filled open-plan living spaces that contrasted with the rest of the house. We were also tasked with creating a new outdoor entertaining space.
During works.
How did the client want to be able to live in and use the house?
They wanted indoor and outdoor areas where they could entertain family and friends while having enough space to accommodate the needs of their growing family.
How did the client want to be able to live in and use the house?
They wanted indoor and outdoor areas where they could entertain family and friends while having enough space to accommodate the needs of their growing family.
Floor plan after works.
What did you do?
What did you do?
- Gutted the house, stripping it back to its timber stud walls.
- Restored the original period doors, cornices and skirtings.
- Demolished the ‘70s rear addition.
- Designed and built a new rear extension with a new kitchen, living and dining space, butler’s pantry and laundry.
- Created a new outdoor entertaining area.
- Turned the original second bedroom into an ensuite off the main bedroom.
- Turned the original dining room into a study.
- Restored the façade, replacing the weatherboards, refreshing the front door, installing new fretwork and posts, putting down new decking, and repainting.
How do the old and new parts of the house sit together?
Although the flooring feels different – the original part of the house has a timber sub-floor on concrete stumps and the new extension is on a concrete slab, visually they flow together thanks to new engineered timber flooring throughout.
Although the flooring feels different – the original part of the house has a timber sub-floor on concrete stumps and the new extension is on a concrete slab, visually they flow together thanks to new engineered timber flooring throughout.
You enter the new open-plan living area through the home’s original hallway, where your eyes are immediately drawn to the striking raked windows above the external stack-sliding doors and the light-bathed deck.
What look and feel did you want to create in this home?
Warmth, natural light, quality, luxury and a feeling of space.
Browse more images on Houzz of contemporary Australian kitchens with timber touches
Warmth, natural light, quality, luxury and a feeling of space.
Browse more images on Houzz of contemporary Australian kitchens with timber touches
What challenges did you have to work around?
Site access. Pus, the original timber studs in walls were far from straight – a lot of time was spent rectifying this to ensure a high-quality finish.
Site access. Pus, the original timber studs in walls were far from straight – a lot of time was spent rectifying this to ensure a high-quality finish.
What are the defining features of the house now?
- Raked windows.
- The fireplace.
- Coloured cathedral windows in the front bay window.
- A refreshed period facade.
- A smooth flow from the original to the new part of the house.
Why do you think the house works so well?
Because it tells a story – you enter through the front door into the original era of the home and end up in the modern day in the new extension at the back.
Because it tells a story – you enter through the front door into the original era of the home and end up in the modern day in the new extension at the back.
Fixtures and finishes
- ABI Interiors tapware.
- Lopi gas log fireplace.
- About Space light fittings.
- Valley Windows black aluminium exterior doors.
Materials and finishes
- The Flooring Centre engineered-oak flooring.
- Cleantouch laminate and Timberwood Panels blackbutt timber veneer on the kitchen and bathroom joinery.
- RHF Stone Classic White quartz kitchen benchtops.
- Academy Tiles Kayoborder tiles on the kitchen splashback.
- Northern Tile Distributors X Rock White and Grey tiles in the bathroom.
- James Hardie Scyon Linea weatherboards on the facade.
- Timbertech composite timber decking.
- Accoya shiplap cladding from Matthews Timber.
Paint colours
- Haymes Paint Greyology and Charcoal Grey on the facade.
- Haymes Paint Greyology on the interior walls.
Your turn
What’s your favourite feature in this renovation? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another great reno? Check out this Melbourne Houzz: A Heritage Gem Reborn on a Tight Triangular Site
What’s your favourite feature in this renovation? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another great reno? Check out this Melbourne Houzz: A Heritage Gem Reborn on a Tight Triangular Site
Who lives here: A family
Location: Thornbury, Victoria
House size before works: 100 square metres
House size after works: 160 square metres
Bedrooms and bathrooms before works: Three bedrooms and one bathroom
Bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Four bedrooms and two bathrooms
Budget: About AU$600,000
Builder and hardscaping: Demardi
Building designer: Mesh Design Projects
Shoot stylist: Demardi Interiors