Before & After
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Renovating
Before & After: Once Hidden, a Victorian Home's Beauty Unmasked
Peeling back the layers of a series of modernisations and then adding a sympathetic new extension revitalised this home
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation, redesign or new build. Here, Justin Robertson, builder and director of Everlong Constructions, reveals how he added more space and functionality to this too-small family home, while bringing back its heritage charm.
The facade before works.
Tell us about this home
It’s a beautiful four-bedroom Victorian home with good bones in a tree-lined street. A dated rear extension housing a kitchen/living/dining area had been added in the 1980s.
The owners are a young family who had lived here for three years prior.
Looking to extend your house? Find a builder near you on Houzz
Tell us about this home
It’s a beautiful four-bedroom Victorian home with good bones in a tree-lined street. A dated rear extension housing a kitchen/living/dining area had been added in the 1980s.
The owners are a young family who had lived here for three years prior.
Looking to extend your house? Find a builder near you on Houzz
The floor plan before works.
What wasn’t working for the client?
It was too small and the rooms were not sufficiently open-plan enough for the client’s needs. Plus, the house did not have a sense of flow.
The client wanted the house to be functional and entertaining-friendly – they love having people over.
They also wanted to bring back much of the home’s original beauty, including period details on the facade, all of which had been rendered over.
What wasn’t working for the client?
It was too small and the rooms were not sufficiently open-plan enough for the client’s needs. Plus, the house did not have a sense of flow.
The client wanted the house to be functional and entertaining-friendly – they love having people over.
They also wanted to bring back much of the home’s original beauty, including period details on the facade, all of which had been rendered over.
The floor plan after works.
What was your brief?
To make the house light, bright and open.
What was your brief?
To make the house light, bright and open.
What was your scope of work?
To renovate the entire property, including demolition of the 1980s extension and the addition of a new, modern extension.
Browse more images on Houzz of delightful Australian courtyards
To renovate the entire property, including demolition of the 1980s extension and the addition of a new, modern extension.
Browse more images on Houzz of delightful Australian courtyards
What did you do?
- Demolished the existing rear extension and replaced it with a new, light-filled extension measuring around 105 square metres that houses a kitchen, butler’s pantry, living and dining areas.
- Stripped back the render on the facade and painstakingly restored the original features.
- Added a new kitchen.
- Renovated the two dated bathrooms and the laundry.
The living/dining area before works.
- Removed some existing walls to make the home more open-plan.
- Homeroom Studio selected the new fittings and fixtures for the house. The furniture and artwork belong to the client.
The living/dining area before works.
The new living/dining area after works. American oak in hallway and new extension; Lexicon Quarter painted on walls throughout: Dulux.
Browse more beautiful, contemporary living areas
Browse more beautiful, contemporary living areas
What challenges did you face?
The house was originally built 140 millimetres out of square, so we had to spend a lot of time straightening up the house in order to create an aesthetically pleasing result.
This project also took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, with all the supply and logistical challenges that brought.
The house was originally built 140 millimetres out of square, so we had to spend a lot of time straightening up the house in order to create an aesthetically pleasing result.
This project also took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, with all the supply and logistical challenges that brought.
The kitchen before works.
What was the original kitchen like?
The old 1980s kitchen was all done in timber laminate, and was part of the extension we demolished. It was too small, closed-off and dated for the client’s needs and tastes.
What was the original kitchen like?
The old 1980s kitchen was all done in timber laminate, and was part of the extension we demolished. It was too small, closed-off and dated for the client’s needs and tastes.
The new kitchen after works. Quarter-cut European Oak veneer cabinetry; Calacatta Gold marble benchops and splashback: Jordain Stone; tapware and sink: ABI Interiors; pendant light: Ben-Tovim Design; handles: Lo & Co.
Tell us about the new kitchen
The new kitchen, designed by Homeroom Studio, is central to family life in this home. The client loves having the large, central island bench where the children can eat and chat while the grown-ups are preparing meals. It’s also perfect for entertaining.
Tell us about the new kitchen
The new kitchen, designed by Homeroom Studio, is central to family life in this home. The client loves having the large, central island bench where the children can eat and chat while the grown-ups are preparing meals. It’s also perfect for entertaining.
Kitchen joinery painted in Green Spruce: Dulux; Calacatta Gold marble benchtop and splashback.
Grigio Marble on the bar benchtop: G-LUX.
And the built-in bar?
The home bar was something the client particularly wanted. They love entertaining and also they like to pour themselves a nice drink after a long working week.
In addition, they have a collection of beautiful glassware that was a wedding gift, which they wanted to display.
And the built-in bar?
The home bar was something the client particularly wanted. They love entertaining and also they like to pour themselves a nice drink after a long working week.
In addition, they have a collection of beautiful glassware that was a wedding gift, which they wanted to display.
Cheminees Philippe fireplace: Wignells; Arabescato Grigio marble splashback: G-LUX.
A new wood-burning fireplace creates a striking centrepiece in the living area, as well as a cosy spot for the family to gather around on cool nights.
A new wood-burning fireplace creates a striking centrepiece in the living area, as well as a cosy spot for the family to gather around on cool nights.
Where is this study nook located?
It’s part of the new extension, located directly behind the pantry.
We’ve designed the area so it can be closed off behind the custom steel door when the children are in bed and one of the grown-ups is still working.
It’s part of the new extension, located directly behind the pantry.
We’ve designed the area so it can be closed off behind the custom steel door when the children are in bed and one of the grown-ups is still working.
What changes did you make in the hallway?
We extended the hallway, added a beautiful light fitting and a new custom steel door between the old and new parts of the house.
We extended the hallway, added a beautiful light fitting and a new custom steel door between the old and new parts of the house.
The family bathroom before works.
The family bathroom after works. Both bathrooms: cabinetry finished in Quarter-cut European Oak veneer; Alpine White quartz benchtop: Quantum Quartz; Berlin 157 floor and floor tiles: Signorino Tile Gallery; Elysian brushed-copper tapware: ABI Interiors; Kado Lussi solid surface bath: Reece; Custom mirror cabinet.
The new ensuite.
Your turn
What’s your favourite feature in this contemporary renovation? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see another appealing renovation? Don’t miss this Before & After: A Clunky & Dated Victorian Terrace Reborn
What’s your favourite feature in this contemporary renovation? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see another appealing renovation? Don’t miss this Before & After: A Clunky & Dated Victorian Terrace Reborn
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Who lives here: A couple with two young children
Location: Brighton, Victoria
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Four bedrooms and one bathroom
House size before works: Around 160 square metres
House size after works: Around 270 square metres
Budget: AU$800,000 to $900,000
Year project started: 2020
Year project completed: 2020
Builder: Everlong Constructions
Interior designer: Homeroom Studio
Draftsperson: Elements of Home