Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Prized Artwork Brings 1930s Home in Canberra to Life
A lifetime of collected paintings and furniture adds bags of personality to a Canberra renovation
A love affair with leafy streets and everyday conveniences brought Jenny and Sergio Benassi back to the suburb where they lived years before. They found a home that was, in Jenny’s words, “just right.”
The 1934 home was in its original condition when they moved in, and while it was in good order, it was in desperate need of updating. Jenny and Sergio wanted to retain the integrity of the original design by architect Kenneth Oliphant, so they kept the existing layout and size. Their aim was to create an open and clutter-free home that allowed them to feature their extensive collection of artwork.
The couple tapped local builder Geoff Daley, who helped them update the home by removing doors, expanding openings to the ceiling, painting the walls, polishing the floors, adding built-in storage and installing gas heating and evaporative cooling systems.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jenny and Sergio Benassi
Location: Forrest, Canberra, Australia
Size: 170 square-meters (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)
Year built: 1934
Remodel cost: $85,000
The 1934 home was in its original condition when they moved in, and while it was in good order, it was in desperate need of updating. Jenny and Sergio wanted to retain the integrity of the original design by architect Kenneth Oliphant, so they kept the existing layout and size. Their aim was to create an open and clutter-free home that allowed them to feature their extensive collection of artwork.
The couple tapped local builder Geoff Daley, who helped them update the home by removing doors, expanding openings to the ceiling, painting the walls, polishing the floors, adding built-in storage and installing gas heating and evaporative cooling systems.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jenny and Sergio Benassi
Location: Forrest, Canberra, Australia
Size: 170 square-meters (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)
Year built: 1934
Remodel cost: $85,000
A second stage of renovations commenced a few years later, when the couple removed a wall from the kitchen to create an open, galley-style arrangement with an island looking out to the courtyard.
Sergio and Jenny now do most of their entertaining in this area, with casual dinner parties flowing from the kitchen to the adjoining courtyard.
The benchtops are black granite, and the splashback is glass. The couple created a two tone effect on the cabinets with a lighter laminate on the base units and a darker laminate on the upper ones.
Classic D-pull handles were used for all the cupboards and drawers throughout the house.
Classic D-pull handles were used for all the cupboards and drawers throughout the house.
Polished concrete floors distinguish the laundry room from the living room; marble benchtops and wood veneer cabinets create a sophisticated and streamlined look. The laundry was not designed to be hidden, and is a rather attractive and convenient addition to this side of the kitchen and living area.
An original Eames dining table, formerly a boardroom table, sits in the dining area to the right of the kitchen. One of Jenny’s favourite artworks, ‘The Lemons Painting’ by Thornton Walker, hangs above.
A bouquet of Australian proteas sits on the dining table.
A bouquet of Australian proteas sits on the dining table.
A nib wall acts as a subtle divider between the dining room and the sitting room. An original Jens Risom sideboard fits the couple’s Danish-inspired decorating aesthetic. Mounted above are two portraits by Maree Hegarty.
The Benassis installed a custom-coloured wool carpet, sourced from Cusacks, a local interior design shop.
The leather sofa is from King Furniture and ties in well with the Danish-style pieces. The iconic T4 Fred Lowen armchairs are from Tessa Furniture. A local designer made the coffee table in the style of the Jens Risom sideboard.
The leather sofa is from King Furniture and ties in well with the Danish-style pieces. The iconic T4 Fred Lowen armchairs are from Tessa Furniture. A local designer made the coffee table in the style of the Jens Risom sideboard.
Jenny says the artwork is what brings the whole place together. In the entry an indigenous painting of two women by Jack Dale is a striking feature. The work of Balinese artist Yudi Susanto (Antok) also hangs throughout the house. Some pieces were commissioned and feature the faces of much-loved departed friends.
A separate toilet and bathroom were combined to form a large open-plan bathroom. The finishes in the laundry area repeat here, except the floor is dark grey Italian tile, and there are white square tiles on the walls.
The couple’s bedroom is flooded with afternoon light. A splash of colour and pattern appears on the bed with a selection of cushions by Megan Park, purchased from The Inside Story in Canberra. Replica Arne Jacobsen table lamps from Matt Blatt are on each side of the bed atop custom built-in wood-veneer nightstands.
Sergio and Jenny are now the doting grandparents of 7-year-old Mia and 3-year-old Billy who regularly stay for sleepovers and even have their own bedroom. The painting above the bed is another work by Yudi Susanto (Antok); on the bed are two fun cushions from Inside Story in Canberra.
The courtyard garden is blessed with a few well-established trees. They formed the framework around which the landscaping was designed.
Hedges and retaining walls were added to create a defined courtyard area off the kitchen.
Artwork is a feature in the garden as well, adding interest and colour to the external walls.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home or see more inspiring projects.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home or see more inspiring projects.