Visiting my clients home for the first time in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, I was struck by two things: the poor use of space and the inappropriateness of the mock-Victorian decor that had been installed in the 90s. My brief was to breathe new life into the open plan kitchen, dining and living room to better suit their growing family. They wanted clean lines, more natural light, more efficient use of space, more storage, and a style that worked with a mix of contemporary and antique furniture.

The starting point for the interior design was to remove the false period detail, and return some ‘authenticity’ to the home which was built in the 1930s. The rooms were effectively stripped back to their shell, and new plaster and simple pressed metal ceiling panels installed. The original front windows of the house were used as the starting point for the joinery – the three panel window frame became the motif for the paneling of the overhead cupboards, entertainment unit and new kitchen window. These features reference the home’s heritage whilst enabling a more contemporary feel to be developed.

The new kitchen was the single biggest change to the space. Previously dark, dysfunctional, with very little storage, the new kitchen is the complete opposite. There is now extensive bench space and storage. Appliances have been integrated, and a pelmet added above the kitchen window to hide the blind and overhead lighting, ensuring the clean lines are maintained.