From the beginning, the design sought to maintain many of the home’s original features. These include the hand-painting ceiling in the formal living room, as well as the mouldings, archways and original timber flooring in the hallway. At the same time, the team opened up the interior, combining rooms to create larger, more free-flowing spaces that function more effectively for contemporary family life. Bold colour was added throughout, amping up the drama of the original details – most notably in the formal living room, now blanketed in a rich wine-plum hue. These strong contemporary tones lend the house a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
At the rear, the transition from old to new is more obvious. An open-plan living, kitchen and dining area is filled with natural light, thanks to full-height, steel-framed windows. Finished in a pale eucalyptus tone, the windows complement the green colour of the stone used in the living area and across the large kitchen island. Dramatically coloured stone appears elsewhere, too, including in the floating bathroom vanities. Together, all the stone elements throughout add a modern, sculptural quality, bringing the home squarely into the present.
