Northcote house

This Victorian cottage had loads 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 splash back, 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. They'd already renovated the front bedroom, borrowing some of the living room to allow for an ensuite, WIR and office, but the rest of the house remained as was. The decision was made to step out the home to the Eastern boundary to allow for a generous main bathroom opposite the kids' bedrooms and a laundry/storage area. This step out made for a far more generous kitchen/dining/living area complete with a large brick fireplace with exposed flu at one end, dining area with banquette seat framed by a large bi-fold window and a generous kitchen with a warm, playful palette of autumn hued terrazzo and American oak paired with fresh white walls and ceiling joists. The generous American oak island bench and the large oak shelving unit in the living area blend beautifully with the concrete floors. American oak overhead shelving is also used to frame the kitchen and study nook, complementing the warm terrazzo hues and preventing the white joinery and ceiling joists from looking stark. 

Andy Murray has created a stunning, calming native garden and Martina Gemmola has captured the house beautifully as always. 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.

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Photography by Martina Gemmola