Buying this property was especially sentimental for the owner of this home in south-east Melbourne.
Having lived in the house as a child, he knew the location and layout were ideal for family living, so was delighted to snap it up when when it came on the market in 2008 and begin a new chapter in the property with his own children.
As special as the house was, a renovation was in order to make it absolutely perfect for its latest residents. Since the two-storey home backs onto a golf course, architect Jane Cameron decided to extend at the front, which required careful consideration of the streetscape so the new works didn't stick out like a sore thumb.
The floor plan consists of two wings at either end with a double-height communal zone right at the centre. This involved knocking out and shifting the front entrance, turning an old carport into a double-car garage, making room for a paved path to the side garden and adding a pergola to create a barbecue area.
Meeting the entryway is the main staircase, which leads to the first-floor addition and dedicated kids' zone with three bedrooms and hangout area on the landing. On the ground floor are two bedrooms and a bathroom to the right, and a sunken lounge/library in what was formerly a bedroom.
At the heart of the house is the lightdrenched central living/dining space with raked ceilings and exposed beams. A central fireplace was removed to create a more generous, open feel.
The existing kitchen, at the rear of the house, was gutted and refitted with full-height joinery and a smart island topped in a concrete-toned quartz composite. The kitchen's
footprint was also extended to accommodate a new pantry. Jane also made space for a new study, powder room and laundry on the opposite side of the stairs that lead to the main bedroom suite.
Blue tones weave a soothing and sophisticated thread through the home. In the casual dining area, for example, the custom-designed table - made by Mornington artisan furniture maker Christopher Blank - is painted a bespoke blue hue to contrast with the soft taupe upholstery of the Scape dining chairs from Grazia & Co.
"The table is finished with a coloured stain rather than paint to allow the timber grain to show through," says interior designer Rhiannon Orr of Orr Design Build.
"The colour shifts from deep indigo to electric blue depending on the angle of the light at different times of day. It took some time to find it, but it was important that the table be just the right shade so it didn't look too green or fight against the deep navy in the adjacent kitchen."
The owner had been living in the US during the renovation and for some years before and loved the large-scale furnishings often found in spacious American homes. With this in mind, Rhiannon took conceptual cues from traditional Georgian-style furniture and the tartan, plaid and corduroy fabrics so popular in the US, reinterpreting them for a contemporary Australian setting with a fun colour palette and modern art.
With the addition of contemporary furniture and darker colours, warming the interiors up with oak flooring was a non-negotiable. "Sticking with humble materials and relatively understated fabrics was key to achieving a chic and comfortable home," says Rhiannon.
Jane agrees: "This house isn't about bells and whistles, it's about liveability and functionality for its occupants. It's a family residence that can evolve as children become teenagers and accommodate visitors from overseas as needed. It's practical, fresh and completely timeless."
Jane Cameron Architects, janecameronarchitects.com
Orr Design Build, @designorrbuild
James McBride & Associates Master Builders, jamesmcbride.com.au