For this Aberfeldie project our clients, wanting to spend time with their young and growing family, required a single level energy efficient and functional home that fitted seamlessly into the street scape.
Understated style & timeless appeal
Surrounded by similar period homes our clients wanted their Victorian Italinate inspired home to blend harmoniously into the neighbourhood. The timeless elegance of this style, drawing from the Italian Renaissance and the grandeur of the Late Victorian style, made it one of the most popular residential styles in Melbourne in the late 19th century.
Interior styling
Internally, the brief was to continue the period styling to the interiors while incorporating modern elements to the varying spaces. The use of traditional and detailed elements throughout the house mean there is no visible break in style, the interiors unite and the traditional style flows to every part of the home. These elements include high skirting boards, window and door architraves, detail cornices throughout, and delicate ceiling rosettes and panels to the entry and Formal Living room. Dark engineered timber floorboards throughout the house bring a warmth and worn look with the natural variations in colour and treatment of the grain. The combined study & library, the facet bay to the front of the house, connects visually with the formal living through the see through fireplace. Doubling as a family room and also a home office there is ample space to fit desk and comfortably accommodate the requirements of a growing family. The formal living room, a more traditional space, is a feature room to host guests for pre and post dinner conversations, or just a cosy place to sit together by the fire. The calming blue-grey walls, ceiling panel, chandelier and traditional fireplace surround & mantel distinguish this as a special place in the house.
The kitchen, the heart of the home
The formal entry and hallway lead you to the central hub of the house, the kitchen. With its open plan layout adjoining the living and dining zones this is sure to be a hive of activity. Always intended as a focal point, material selection was critical as the kitchen needed to remain timeless, look fresh, clean and be versatile well into the future. The Caesarstone bench tops are a lovely take on the marble look while retaining the practicality and longevity of engineered stone. The white feature splashback tiles laid in a horizontal running bond brick pattern is both a traditional look and very much back in fashion. These white satin tiles add another texture to the kitchen without being overpowering or competing with other finishes. Pops of the blue-grey in the overhead cupboards and as a splashback in a hidden appliance cupboard add fun and personality.
The cupboards and drawers are a satin vinyl wrap with simple panelling to give the kitchen a traditional look. Everything has its place in this kitchen, retractable doors open up to an appliance cupboard with Caesarstone bench ready for the breakfast toast run or mixing up a cake. The microwave is also hidden behind a retractable door. There is a double cutlery drawer in the island, hidden utensil drawer and spice drawer under the cooktops, a dedicated drawer for chopping boards and a pull out drawer for oils all within a single step of the cooking zone. There is a walk in Pantry hidden by a nib wall with plenty of room for a wine fridge or two and all the shopping, and of course this kitchen has a generous amount of storage.
Meals can take place at the kitchen island bench or dining table, each area distinguished with its own feature pendants. The island pendants add a more modern industrial feel blending well with the traditional joinery, while the dining table has a single larger pendant centred over the table.
The informal Living, adjoining this central hub, and is well positioned for watching TV while cooking. There are a number of windows keeping these areas well lit from morning to late afternoon. At each side sliding glass doors open out onto the garden at the rear and outdoor entertaining deck in between the dining and formal living.
The Master Suite, positioned for privacy, includes a luxurious walk-in-robe and generous ensuite with views onto a courtyard. Off a side hallway there are two more bedrooms with a shared bathroom designed perfectly for multi-person use, a private WC, double vanity and separate room with a built in bath and separate shower.
Another zone holds the guest bedroom, second bathroom, feature powder room and a large gym that could be converted into a fifth bedroom if required in the future. The laundry has Caesarstone bench tops, dedicated iron station, mud joinery for school bags, jackets & shoes and there is plenty of storage under bench and in overhead cupboards.
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