A heritage home renovation can breathe new life into a dilapidated or run-down structure, reinventing existing spaces to create remarkable high-end custom homes.
As the trusted home restoration experts in Melbourne, we have completed a number of heritage renovations across Stonnington, Port Phillip and Bayside suburbs. We have a unique understanding of how to elevate a heritage home without losing its essence, resulting in spaces that not only look and feel great, but work for our clients and their families, both now and well into the future.
Here are just a few of our favourites from over the years.
Brighton
This original Edwardian home dates back to 1901, but had been neglected until the owners approached us to restore the property to its former glory. The task was a difficult one: the home was affected by rising damp, wet rot, leaking roofs, scalding brickwood and sunken footing, and had been renovated many times over the years, making it hard to discern what was original and what had been added in at a later date.
Uniquely, the architect was also the owner, so she devised an exceptional large-scale renovation plan, which involved a brand-new layout, additional rooms and new windows, fences and roofing. The end result was heritage opulence crossed with a minimalist appeal, drawing upon minimalist, contemporary design to achieve a carefree, easy feel.
When you enter Brighton House, you’ll be greeted by a number of living spaces (outfitted with French doors, these rooms could also double as a study or guest room!). The home has an effortless flow and features gorgeously-ornate curved bay windows, decorated to mirror the original lead lights on the front door.
The main living, dining and kitchen space is slightly more modern than the front of the home, with white panelled walls, timber accents and a gorgeous limestone kitchen benchtop (a material that carries through to the bathroom and spacious ensuite). Upstairs you’ll find roomy, sunlit bedrooms outfitted with interior shutters. Each room features an abundance of custom joinery, which provides much-need storage space. The interiors are completely harmonious, with a soft, pastel colour palette informing the fixture and furnishings.
Hawthorn East
This Edwardian-era home was in need of a little TLC, with the client looking to extend the rear of the home while restoring the heritage facade to highlight its key attributes. With views of the city skyline, it was essential that the restoration and extension allowed the space to sing.
Accentuating the pitched roof and gables are the quintessential wide eaves of the Edwardian- era home, with its tasteful Queen Anne features and decorative trim. Multiple red brick chimneys and the Marseilles tiles on the roof also honour the original facade of the home, while the fresh coat of white paint is a pleasant update to the exterior.
Step inside the home to find a stripped-back, inner city oasis of pine wood and soothing white walls. High, pitched ceilings create a spacious environment; wide windows stretch around the living room, along with skylights and sliding glass doors, inviting as much natural light into the space as possible – all while providing a look out into the greenery of the garden.
The rear end of the home, viewed from the back garden, is another story entirely. The yin to the front garden’s yang – soft grey tiles, a rich timber patio, and external timber window shutters provide a modern, earthy contrast to the heritage-style front-end of the home.
Cheltenham
Our client wanted to renovate, extend and modernise what was a rundown Federation farmhouse in Cheltenham and create a spectacular family home.
Our aim was to fuse the contemporary design at the rear of the home and the heritage elements of the front facade seamlessly into one cohesive design.
Before you step inside, this home has striking street appeal from every angle. We replaced the original timber weatherboards to revive the front façade and used a combination of Weathertex cladding and recycled brick in the rear extension. At the side of the property is a stunning curved feature chimney.
Entering the home, guests are welcomed by the warmth of American Oak timber floorboards, which give way to off-white concrete floors in the living area. The polished concrete is surprisingly soft under foot, with the added comfort of hydronic heating underneath. The kitchen is the centrepiece of this magnificent home, with a four-metre island bench made of natural stone slab in Italian Travertine.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and a generous skylight were strategically installed to open up the space and bathe it in light. A fireplace is ready and waiting to warm the open living area in cooler months, and a modern lighting scheme casts a sunny glow through the space.
In the living area, natural light floods into the space through large windows at the rear, and a pivot window ensures the home can open up and will always feel fresh, airy and connected to the outside world. Throughout the home, period-era features have been transformed; dilapidated fireplaces have turned into statement shelving, and existing stained-glass windows have been restored in all their vibrant glory.
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Feeling inspired? Get in touch with the SECON Construction team today to find out how we can help transform your heritage home with a renovation.
