8 minute read
restore, rather than renovate, her 1960s home in South Africa FRESH INK A Victorian-era weatherboard in Ballarat, Victoria, is
from Ksknsnsn
cheat sheet
Who lives here A family of four, with two sons under 10. Style of home A four-bedroom, Victorian-era weatherboard in Ballarat that’s been updated with a modern look and improved functionality. The owners purchased the property in 2016. Design and planning took place at the beginning of 2017, and the eight-month renovation was complete by December 2018.
Advertisement
DREAM IT. DESIGN IT. DO IT. fresh ink
Preserving the hallmarks of this Ballarat home while updating it to modern standards has rewritten its future
living
Custom joinery in Polytec Natural Oak Ravine MDF by Studio Griffiths is offset by the inky-blue tones of a Prostoria ‘Cloud’ modular sofa from Collective, Coast velvet ottoman from Jardan and Tuck rug from Armadillo. Muuto ‘Around’ side table, Living Edge. Paris Au Mois D’août pendant light, Hub. Cushions, Figgoscope Curates. Throw, Abode Living. Menu planters, Simple Form. Kristina Dam Studio ‘Sculptural Chair’ (at the end of the hall, above right), Designstuff. Original fretwork, painted Dulux Natural White. With its welcoming community, wide boulevards and historic buildings, the city of Ballarat in Victoria’s central highlands has proven too irresistible for one couple to ignore. In 2014, the professionals thought they were making a temporary move from Melbourne to the region for their work. “We didn’t plan to stay long, but fell in love with it,” they say.
In the middle of their drawn-out house hunt, the couple spotted a late-19th-century home replete with cast-iron lacework and timber ornamentation. Its large block and convenient location also appealed. “We love this area as it’s close to Lake Wendouree and our work, and it’s a pretty part of Ballarat with many Victorian homes. I remember walking past this beautiful house and thinking, ‘I wish it would go up for sale,’” says the homeowner. When the property appeared on the market in 2016, they were rewarded for their patience and pounced: “We bought it within 24 hours of the sign going up!”
While reconfiguring the layout to suit their growing family (now including two sons), they were keen to retain the home’s vintage elements. They engaged building designers Madin Lyons Associates to reshape and extend the exterior, and chose interior designer Gillianne Griffiths, creative director and principal at Studio Griffiths, to reimagine the interiors.
wishlist
+ Extended main suite “The ensuite and wardrobe were on the small side and we wanted more space,” say the owners. + Space for the boys “We wanted a kids’ zone with a play area, so we could keep the toys out of the main living room.” + Family-friendly kitchen “We also decided to update the kitchen and include a bigger pantry.” + Retain heritage features “We wanted to be respectful of the original home, and to feel like the renovation blended in.”
the moodboard
kitchen/dining
Two-pack joinery in Dulux Silkwort Quarter was specified for the kitchen (opposite), while the existing flooring was sanded and restained a lighter colour. Elba stone benchtops and splashback, CDK Stone. Peninsula base, Polytec Black Wenge. Hay ‘About A Stool’ bar stools, Cult. Flynn dining table, Jardan. Tanner chairs, Barnaby Lane. Paris Au Mois D’août lights, Hub. Artworks (left) by Mark Tipple, through Otomys. A chalkboard (right) above Dial hangers from Design By Them was created with Dulux Chalkboard paint.
good news
Polytec was widely used for the home’s joinery, including the kitchen peninsula. All Polytec products are Chain of Custody-certified under the Australian Forestry Standard, meaning they are from legal, well-managed forests.
dream it
A rejig of the layout and a new second storey would give the family more space, with a sophisticated parents’ retreat on the ground floor and an upper level dedicated to the boys, featuring their bedrooms, study nooks, play areas and a bathroom.
“The clients wanted each room to tell a nostalgic and whimsical story of the past with this Victorian gem,” says interior designer Gillianne, adding that they dreamt of a refined and inviting interior with a calm feel. “But first and foremost, the focus was on comfort and durability, with a more practical floor plan and additional storage.”
FROM FAR LEFT Paris Au Mois D’août ‘Kyoto Drop 40’ fabric pendant light, $230, Hub. DCW Editions ‘Mantis’ aluminium wall sconce, $825, In Good Company. Elba stone, POA, CDK Stone. Muuto ‘Around’ coffee table in Grey (45cm), $660, Living Edge. Natural Oak Ravine MDF surface, POA, Polytec. Ercol ‘Lara’ ash chair in Black, $490, Temperature Design. Billiani ‘W605’ beech chair by Fabrizio Gallinaro, from $400, Design Nation. Menu ‘JWDA’ concrete table lamp, $525, Top3 By Design. Dulux Wash&Wear acrylic paint in Western Myall (top) and Sir Edmund, both $79.90 per 4L, Bunnings. Float ‘Hover’ short wall sconce in Snow with electroplate in Black, $2600, Articolo.
formal living
Mutina ‘Puzzle’ tiles in Edge Smoke from Urban Edge Ceramics surround the fireplace. Camerich ‘Noble’ armchair, Collective. Joinery in Dulux Western Myall. Rug, Behruz Studio.
kids’ study nook
Two-pack cabinetry in Dulux Sir Edmund carries on the colour theme, with more Polytec in Natural Oak for the desk and shelves. Cleo chair, GlobeWest. Menu ‘JWDA’ table lamp, Top3 By Design.
design it
Both the homeowners were more than happy to let the professionals guide them. “My sister is a graphic designer and I have come to realise over the years that she does her best work when people don’t interrupt her creative process too much,” says one. “We wanted to just let Gillianne do her thing because we loved her taste and trusted her.”
The designer suggested the addition of bespoke cabinetry and joinery to maximise the storage throughout. “It’s a favourite element in all our projects as it is purpose-built to meet the clients’ needs,” says Gillianne. “It provides a customised solution to the size and space of each room, as well as playing a major aesthetic role.” Sleek furniture and finishes sit comfortably with the throwback details. “The clients wanted to let the past and present mingle seamlessly and to explore freely with colour.”
The property’s heritage leadlight windows and the old navy front door inspired a bold palette of inky blues and moody hues. “The blues were so striking at our first site visit and set the tone for the entire home,” says Gillianne.
do it
When it came time to implement the design in 2018, the renovation process could hardly have run smoother. “Everyone involved – the building designers, Madin Lyons; our designer, Gillianne; and the builder, John Gleeson – were excellent,” say the owners. “No disasters, really. I think the way everything went with the renovation affirmed our belief that if you let creative people do their thing without interfering too much, you will get a beautiful outcome.”
The extended main-bedroom suite, the new kids’ zone on the upper level and the open kitchen offer the family the conveniences they searched for, while a sense of history sings through the spaces. “We’ve emphasised the grandeur and adornment of the old and defined the new with a pared-back, contemporary approach,” says Gillianne. “With period homes, it’s important to honour form, space and materiality by simplifying the ornamentation. By this, I mean including really subtle tonal shifts in carpets, rugs and soft drapery, and adding objects with simple forms in restrained colours.”
Injected with fresh energy and heightened functionality, the reinvented residence really enhances daily life for the family, which was perfectly illustrated during the lockdowns of the 2020 pandemic. “We used the house very heavily during that time, but it’s held up so well,” say the owners. “We thanked goodness for Gillianne every day, and were so glad we had to spend all that time in this beautiful place.” Studio Griffiths is at studiogriffiths.com.au. Madin Lyons Associates is on (03) 5331 4653. J&L Gleeson Builders is on 0409 190 257
+ Interior design help “We found
Gillianne through Google and, in hindsight, we were very lucky to find someone so wonderful,” say the owners. + Joinery “We manage to keep our house tidy and uncluttered because we have places for everything, tucked neatly away in clever joinery.” + Parents’ zone “We love our amazingly huge new walk-in robe!”
GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR 16
18
10 11
9 17
19 20
12 14 15
13
8 7
6 5 1
2
4 3
1 Entry 2 Study/music room 3 Main bedroom 4 Ensuite 5 Walk-in wardrobe 6 Bathroom 7 Pantry 8 Kitchen 9 Dining area 10 Deck 11 Living area 12 Laundry 13 Powder room 14 Bedroom 15 Formal living 16 Bedroom 17 Rumpus 18 Bedroom 19 Bathroom 20 Bathroom
study
“The owners have a shared work space, which also serves as the music room and display space for their beloved guitars,” says Gillianne. Joinery, Polytec Natural Oak. Ercol ‘Lara’ chairs, Temperature Design. DCW Editions ‘Mantis’ wall sconces, In Good Company. Walls, Dulux Western Myall.
main bedroom
Sheer curtains from Window Workshop sit comfortably with the Dulux Natural White walls. Billiani ‘W 605’ chair, Design Nation. Camerich ‘Bell’ mirror, Collective. Traverse console, Zuster. Canal bedhead (opposite, bottom) and cushions from Figgoscope Curates. Linen, Cultiver and In Bed. Leo bedside table, Grazia & Co. Silhouette wall light, Ross Gardam.
“The colour of the joinery was driven by the original leadlight windows,” says Gillianne of the Dulux Sir Edmund blue. Clay bottle by Paola Paronetto, Fanuli. Hay ‘Strap’ mirror, Cult.
lessons learnt
THE HOMEOWNERS “It took us a while to find an architect willing to do the exterior renovation in a period style. The first few we saw wanted to put a modern addition on, when we really wanted to keep the renovation respectful of the original home.”
ensuite
Custom mirrors by Studio Griffiths are the perfect shape. White Brick tiles, Signorino. Astra Walker taps, E&S. The vanity is Dulux Silkwort Quarter with an Elba stone top from CDK Stone. Float wall sconce, Articolo. Towel, Loom Towels.
