This Victorian cottage had loads of charm and a great Northern backyard aspect, but a muddle of small rooms (including a bedroom sharing the north with the kitchen and the living and dining area in the centre of the home) were all crammed into a layout which didn't take advantage of the block's orientation. Our lovely clients saw the potential and were eager to strip the house of its faux heritage interior (complete with maroon pressed metal splashback, maroon half length curtains and shiny gold chandeliers) and reconfigure/reorientate to allow the home to bask in the Northern sun and function happily for their family of four. A step out to the eastern boundary allowed for a generous kids bathroom and laundry area and then careful consideration was given to zoning the open plan kitchen/living/dining to make each area intimate and inviting. American Oak overhead shelving was used to frame the kitchen and study nook and is anchored by a generous island bench, fully clad in American Oak, blending beautifully with the autumnal-hued terrazzo and warm concrete floors. A banquette seat with large bi-fold windows zones the dining area and the living area comes into its own with a large American Oak shelving unit housing the television, a painted brick fireplace with exposed flue and large brick blades framing the opening to the backyard, where Andy Murray has created a stunning, calming native garden for the family to enjoy. The areas are connected with fresh white walls and exposed ceiling joists.

Dasa ceramics, Amy Wright artwork and Brook Holm photography supplied by Modern Times. Gubi pacha chair and side table and supplied by In Good Company. Photography by Martina Gemmola.

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