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My Houzz: A Moody, Modernised Home in Melbourne Regains its Charm
The original beauty of this Californian bungalow was lost to unsympathetic updates – see how a designer brought it back
When interior designer Alison Lewis was on the hunt for a new home to share with her husband and their daughter, she knew exactly where to look. “I’d always wanted to live in Northcote – I love the high street eateries, shopping and vibe. It’s been on my suburb hit-list for decades, so when we sold our home in Kew we decided now was the time,” says Lewis.
Exterior before works.
“This original Californian Bungalow had been ‘Europeanised’ over the years, which essentially meant that all of its period features were stripped out and it had been modernised with aluminium windows, lowered ceilings, vinyl flooring over the original Baltic pine timber floors, and all of the ornamental cornices, skirting boards and architraves removed,” says Lewis.
“The house wasn’t our cup of tea when we first saw it, but I could see its potential to be something really beautiful,” she says. “I wanted to bring back some of its period charm and rejuvenate its street appeal in a way that’s more in keeping with what Northcote is renowned for.”
“This original Californian Bungalow had been ‘Europeanised’ over the years, which essentially meant that all of its period features were stripped out and it had been modernised with aluminium windows, lowered ceilings, vinyl flooring over the original Baltic pine timber floors, and all of the ornamental cornices, skirting boards and architraves removed,” says Lewis.
“The house wasn’t our cup of tea when we first saw it, but I could see its potential to be something really beautiful,” she says. “I wanted to bring back some of its period charm and rejuvenate its street appeal in a way that’s more in keeping with what Northcote is renowned for.”
Front porch before works.
As for their own renovation, the couple was clear from the outset about what they wanted to include. “We’ve never had a pool, so having space to install a pool was a must-have,” says Lewis. “We also wanted a fireplace and an open-plan living space with an abundance of natural light that takes advantage of the home’s orientation.
“A lovely connection between the garden and the living areas was imperative, as was being able to enter the home through the garage,” she says.
Ready to refresh your home? Find an interior designer on Houzz
As for their own renovation, the couple was clear from the outset about what they wanted to include. “We’ve never had a pool, so having space to install a pool was a must-have,” says Lewis. “We also wanted a fireplace and an open-plan living space with an abundance of natural light that takes advantage of the home’s orientation.
“A lovely connection between the garden and the living areas was imperative, as was being able to enter the home through the garage,” she says.
Ready to refresh your home? Find an interior designer on Houzz
To achieve the look, feel and functionality they were after, the couple kept the home’s two front rooms and gutted the rest.
They then set about adding an extra bedroom, ensuite, two-person study, playroom, large family bathroom, butler’s pantry and a laundry that leads out to the garage. A new rear extension with an almost four-metre-high raked ceiling houses a bright and airy open-plan kitchen/living/dining area that forms the hub of family life.
“The house has had a full makeover and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out,” says Lewis. “I’ve created a home that is light and bright but warm and inviting, with moments of interest and movement, along with thoughtful touches that enhance the way we live as a family,” she says.
They then set about adding an extra bedroom, ensuite, two-person study, playroom, large family bathroom, butler’s pantry and a laundry that leads out to the garage. A new rear extension with an almost four-metre-high raked ceiling houses a bright and airy open-plan kitchen/living/dining area that forms the hub of family life.
“The house has had a full makeover and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out,” says Lewis. “I’ve created a home that is light and bright but warm and inviting, with moments of interest and movement, along with thoughtful touches that enhance the way we live as a family,” she says.
Dining area before works.
The serene honeyed hues and touch-me textures of what is now known as Hartley House fit Lewis’ aesthetic to a tee. “I’d describe my design style as texturally tonal. My aesthetic is warm and I love playing with tone and texture to create interest. I’ve found that as I’ve matured as a designer my style has grown with me and I’ve become much more confident combining materials that you might not normally consider putting together,” she says.
“I love that I’ve been able to express my personality through my designs and that they shift and mould as I do. Each project is a representation of me and I pour my heart and soul into them, so watching them come to fruition is the best part of what I do.”
The serene honeyed hues and touch-me textures of what is now known as Hartley House fit Lewis’ aesthetic to a tee. “I’d describe my design style as texturally tonal. My aesthetic is warm and I love playing with tone and texture to create interest. I’ve found that as I’ve matured as a designer my style has grown with me and I’ve become much more confident combining materials that you might not normally consider putting together,” she says.
“I love that I’ve been able to express my personality through my designs and that they shift and mould as I do. Each project is a representation of me and I pour my heart and soul into them, so watching them come to fruition is the best part of what I do.”
“There were many challenges when renovating this home,” says Lewis. “We started during Covid so that gives you an idea of some of our challenges initially, and Northcote is known for its volcanic rock, so it took much longer and ate into our contingency to get the house ‘out of the ground’ at the beginning of the build.
“But after that, it was a really quick build. There were many more challenges along the way, but I learnt from every one,” she says.
“But after that, it was a really quick build. There were many more challenges along the way, but I learnt from every one,” she says.
Soft curves add to the home’s tranquil feel. “Part of my design process was to reinstate a sense of heritage back into the home,” says Lewis. “This house would have originally had some internal arches, so it was important to me that I added them back in to give it some more personality.
“We added the curved wall in the living area to give the space a visual drawcard, while the arch in the hallway makes the transition between old and new feel seamless,” she says.
“We added the curved wall in the living area to give the space a visual drawcard, while the arch in the hallway makes the transition between old and new feel seamless,” she says.
Homeowner and interior designer Alison Lewis.
And as for Lewis’ favourite feature? “Gosh, it’s hard to choose! The kitchen is the area I’m most proud of and really represents the look and feel I was trying to achieve. It’s followed closely by the living room, main bedroom and main bathroom. These spaces feel really inviting and calming and we love being in them,” she says.
And as for Lewis’ favourite feature? “Gosh, it’s hard to choose! The kitchen is the area I’m most proud of and really represents the look and feel I was trying to achieve. It’s followed closely by the living room, main bedroom and main bathroom. These spaces feel really inviting and calming and we love being in them,” she says.
Hallway before works.
“When we first purchased the house, there was a distinct black-and-white monochromatic theme, with a black-painted exterior, black kitchen, black bathroom and black flooring. The only things that were white were the walls and ceiling, so it felt very dark and lacked natural light,” says Lewis.
“My aim was to transform the exterior by bringing back period features and lightening the colours so it felt more connected to the streetscape, while introducing an abundance of natural light into the renovated areas.
“I love using paint to create interest and warmth. It has the ability to transform a space instantly and the feedback from everyone, particularly the neighbours, is how much they love the transformation,” she says.
“When we first purchased the house, there was a distinct black-and-white monochromatic theme, with a black-painted exterior, black kitchen, black bathroom and black flooring. The only things that were white were the walls and ceiling, so it felt very dark and lacked natural light,” says Lewis.
“My aim was to transform the exterior by bringing back period features and lightening the colours so it felt more connected to the streetscape, while introducing an abundance of natural light into the renovated areas.
“I love using paint to create interest and warmth. It has the ability to transform a space instantly and the feedback from everyone, particularly the neighbours, is how much they love the transformation,” she says.
When it comes to design inspiration, Lewis largely tends to look to the landscape. “As my aesthetic is textured and tonal, nature – with its earthy colours and organic shapes – is a huge inspiration to me. I am also heavily inspired by travel and had recently been on a trip to Los Angeles, which informed a lot of the inspiration behind the design,” she says.
Most of the couple’s AU$800,000 renovation budget went on labour and materials. “These steadily increased throughout the course of the project so I had to make accommodations for expenditure as we went along,” says Lewis.
The original alfresco area before the new extension and deck were added.
The family loves to relax and entertain outdoors, so a great alfresco area was a must. MINT Pool + Landscape Design built a cosy new deck and pergola featuring a timber-battened bench seat and built-in barbecue designed by Lewis, which makes an appealing spot to spend time in the warmer months.
The family loves to relax and entertain outdoors, so a great alfresco area was a must. MINT Pool + Landscape Design built a cosy new deck and pergola featuring a timber-battened bench seat and built-in barbecue designed by Lewis, which makes an appealing spot to spend time in the warmer months.
Deck: Spotted gum; Pale Eucalypt paint: Colorbond.
“Hartley House was an entertaining dream over summer – there weren’t many weekends that went by when we weren’t entertaining,” says Lewis.
“Hartley House was an entertaining dream over summer – there weren’t many weekends that went by when we weren’t entertaining,” says Lewis.
Sliding glass doors mean the alfresco area can be opened right up to the interior – a priority for the family. “The connection between the gorgeous, landscaped garden and the open-plan living space meant we could move between the two and have barbecues on the deck before heading inside once it got a little cooler,” she says.
Main bedroom before works.
The original black-and-white scheme in the main bedroom has been replaced with restful tones and textures, evoking a retreat-like vibe. “We wanted it to feel warm, calming, earthy and inviting,” says Lewis.
The original black-and-white scheme in the main bedroom has been replaced with restful tones and textures, evoking a retreat-like vibe. “We wanted it to feel warm, calming, earthy and inviting,” says Lewis.
Wall lining painted in Organic 3: Haymes Paint; bedhead: CCSS Furniture; bed linen: Sage x Clare.
The bedroom was also enlarged to accommodate a new ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, and the ceiling raised from 2.4 metres back to its original three-metre height.
A rattan and oak wall-hung bedhead with built-in side tables forms a focal point in the room. “It’s come from house to house with us – we love it,” says Lewis.
The bedroom was also enlarged to accommodate a new ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, and the ceiling raised from 2.4 metres back to its original three-metre height.
A rattan and oak wall-hung bedhead with built-in side tables forms a focal point in the room. “It’s come from house to house with us – we love it,” says Lewis.
Custom cupboards painted in Organic 5: Haymes Paint.
In another charming curved moment, Lewis specified an arched wall rather than a traditional door between the bedroom and walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. “I wanted to keep the space open, so I designed the curve to create interest and a sense of entry,” she says.
In another charming curved moment, Lewis specified an arched wall rather than a traditional door between the bedroom and walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. “I wanted to keep the space open, so I designed the curve to create interest and a sense of entry,” she says.
Cabinetry painted in Blushing Beige: Haymes Paint; walls painted in Organic 2: Haymes Paint; bench seat upholstered in Linia Fabio poly mix fabric in colour Umber: Warwick Fabrics.
In the couple’s daughter’s bedroom, a wall of custom storage provides plenty of space for clothes and toys, along with a sweet seating nook where she can curl up with a book. “The seat also has storage beneath it for toys – and provides a great spot for her to hide!” says Lewis, with a laugh.
In the couple’s daughter’s bedroom, a wall of custom storage provides plenty of space for clothes and toys, along with a sweet seating nook where she can curl up with a book. “The seat also has storage beneath it for toys – and provides a great spot for her to hide!” says Lewis, with a laugh.
Weatherboards painted in Baked Clay: Haymes Paint; fence and gutters painted in Intrigue: Haymes Paint.
The leafy, white-and-charcoal exterior you see today is a far cry from the original bold black facade. “While the black certainly had a street presence, it was impractical and drew a lot of heat into the house,” says Lewis.
“The front of the house faces west, so I worked with Haymes Paint to select a colour that was going to feel light and bright but would still have some depth to it against the full sun, and that would also work on the south side of the house without feeling too dark,” says Lewis. “I wanted to keep the gutters and front fence dark so the plants really popped against them, so it was important to choose a colour that would work well with this black [detailing].
“We also replaced the aluminium windows with timber double-hung windows, which would have been the original style when the house was first built. We also replaced the weatherboards at the pitch of the roof line with shingles as this too would have been the original feature,” she says.
The leafy, white-and-charcoal exterior you see today is a far cry from the original bold black facade. “While the black certainly had a street presence, it was impractical and drew a lot of heat into the house,” says Lewis.
“The front of the house faces west, so I worked with Haymes Paint to select a colour that was going to feel light and bright but would still have some depth to it against the full sun, and that would also work on the south side of the house without feeling too dark,” says Lewis. “I wanted to keep the gutters and front fence dark so the plants really popped against them, so it was important to choose a colour that would work well with this black [detailing].
“We also replaced the aluminium windows with timber double-hung windows, which would have been the original style when the house was first built. We also replaced the weatherboards at the pitch of the roof line with shingles as this too would have been the original feature,” she says.
So as an interior designer, how does the process of designing one’s own home compare with designing a client’s? “There’s probably more pressure when designing your own home, but the process and the pleasure I take in my own home is the same as I feel with a client’s,” says Lewis. “Regardless of the project, I want the best outcomes for everyone and to create spaces that work for the owner and their lifestyle.”
As for what’s next on Lewis’ to-do list: “I’m currently in the process of updating some key furniture pieces that I will customise to the look and feel of the space,” she says. We can’t wait to see it!
Your turn
Are you as impressed with this sensitive renovation as we are? 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
Keen to tour another heritage-home redo? Don’t miss this story: From Tired 100-Year-Old Beach Cottage to Lush, Private Oasis
As for what’s next on Lewis’ to-do list: “I’m currently in the process of updating some key furniture pieces that I will customise to the look and feel of the space,” she says. We can’t wait to see it!
Your turn
Are you as impressed with this sensitive renovation as we are? 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
Keen to tour another heritage-home redo? Don’t miss this story: From Tired 100-Year-Old Beach Cottage to Lush, Private Oasis
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior designer Alison Lewis, her husband, their young daughter, dog and cat
Location: Northcote, Victoria
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms before works: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
Budget: AU$800,000
Size of the house before works: 136 square metres
Size of the house after works: 224 square metres
Year project started: 2022
Year project completed: 2022
Architect: Mason Bright Architects
Owner and interior designer: Alison Lewis at Alison Lewis Interiors
Builder: CJ & C Constructions
Landscape designer: MINT Pool + Landscape Design
Paint throughout: Haymes Paint
This three-bedroom Californian bungalow had been the victim of a series of unsympathetic modernisations over the years, including stripped-out period detailing, vinyl floors and lowered ceilings, but it wasn’t enough to put Lewis off – particularly when she factored in the home’s generous block size and great location. “I love renovating period homes and was after a renovation project that I could put my own stamp on and create the perfect family home,” she says.