A Modern Chapter for a character home

When a young family of four moved into this freestanding early -1900s home, they saw more than just a solid house with good bones and old period personality!  

The house had already undergone a major renovation a few years prior, with a second storey added however the interiors were showing their age. The outdated cream kitchen, awkwardly placed outdoor laundry (with third loo), lacked internal storage, and the dark dated lighting didn’t align with the family’s lifestyle-or their vision for the home.

With two energetic young boys in tow, the clients wanted to make the space truly their own: modern, fresh, functional, with easy living. The brief was clear-enhance everyday practicality while injecting a sense of refined comfort and thoughtful design throughout.

We began by transforming the master suite into a true retreat. By absorbing the outdoor laundry area, we extended the footprint to allow for a large, luxurious ensuite-complete with a rain shower, freestanding bath, marble bench tops, and ample storage. Also, within the master we found we could use the void of the staircase to create the dream of a customised walk-in wardrobe. These two changes brought both smart functionality and a sense of boutique-style indulgence to the home. 

With the loss of the outdoor laundry, functionality was top of mind downstairs. We reconfigured the existing downstairs main bathroom to integrate cabinets for the washer and dryer, retaining the shower, toilet and sink to create a well-planned, multi-functional room- all within the footprint of the main home.

The kitchen, once a sea of cream surfaces, was updated to become a fresh textural modern space. We introduced sleek marble bench tops, a new modern tiled splash back, and updated the colours of the cabinetry, creating a space that felt clean, contemporary, and welcoming. 

In the living area, we maximised storage with custom joinery around the heritage fireplace- adding both concealed cabinetry and open shelving for display and personality, without compromising on design.

To tie it all together, we repainted all the internal and external walls with fresh hues of whites and greys enhancing the house's architectural features. The lights were upgraded throughout the home, improving brightness and mood across every room. Electric blinds were installed in the main living areas, adding a clean finish and effortless control of light and privacy. From the start, we worked closely with the clients to style their home in a way that reflected their lifestyle and respected the architectural story of the house. Every piece of furniture and décor was selected with intention, creating a cohesive, comfortable environment that’s both family-friendly and timeless.

This renovation didn’t just refresh a home- it redefined how a family lives, moves, and grows within it.