Houzz Tour: A Nip, Tuck and Rear Extension for an Edwardian Villa
Sometimes bigger isn't better – changing the layout was the answer to this once questionable period home
With a makeover, rear extension and a little nip and tuck, this Edwardian cottage in the beachside suburb of Sandringham, Melbourne, is now fresh-faced, fully functional and ready for the future. Designed by Sheri Haby Architects, much of the existing house has been retained and reworked to create a light-filled home with the illusion of extra space.
The clients’ brief asked for a spacious, light-filled, open-plan living area. It needed to address the lack of privacy for the master bedroom and have an improved indoor-outdoor connection. The front of the house also received a cosmetic touch-up with a paint job and new decking on the porch.
“We considered how the rear space could be better utilised,” says Haby. “The client was comfortable that they didn’t need a bigger house, just one that worked better.”
“We considered how the rear space could be better utilised,” says Haby. “The client was comfortable that they didn’t need a bigger house, just one that worked better.”
The existing house measured 207 square metres on a 491-square-metre lot and the client was reluctant to sacrifice any backyard space.
Haby retained the front of the house with two bedrooms, the formal lounge and dining room, and the original hallway. The bathroom and laundry were refurbished and reworked to include a separate powder room.
Haby retained the front of the house with two bedrooms, the formal lounge and dining room, and the original hallway. The bathroom and laundry were refurbished and reworked to include a separate powder room.
Haby kept the new extension as small as possible adding only 10 square metres, including the deck, to the original house. “Two gable roof forms were added over the main bedroom and family area to lift the ceilings and give a quality of spaciousness,” says Haby.
Inside, the location of the kitchen and living area were switched around so that the kitchen connects with the new deck and back garden. “Family and friends are always surprised to learn that the space didn’t change in size but was just reworked to bring in natural light and create a better flow to the outside,” says Haby.
Vision pendants (above kitchen island): Laser Lighting; Under the Bell pendant (above dining table): Muuto
Vision pendants (above kitchen island): Laser Lighting; Under the Bell pendant (above dining table): Muuto
A new window and skylight carved into the eastern side of the house captures natural light throughout the day.
The timber breakfast bar sits underneath and in front of the skylight and window. “The kitchen and meals area are organised to enjoy the light, and provide lovely moments of sunlight at different times of the day,” says Haby.
The house sits among other period homes that are similarly light in colour and clad in timber. This streetscape influenced the selection of the interior material and colour palette as the client sought a relaxed, neutral interior in harmony with the original Edwardian home and its proximity to the beach. Haby used a predominantly white palette with variations in tone and texture through wall tiles, brick and timber.
The kitchen is in white two-pack polyurethane with a reconstituted stone benchtop and a recycled- Blackbutt timber breakfast bar. White Japanese ceramic tiles on the splashback have a gently curved form created by using split bamboo, which gives texture to the wall.
Kitchen: Starcourt Joinery; timber: ZP Woodworks; Inax Yuki Border tiles: Artedomus
The kitchen is in white two-pack polyurethane with a reconstituted stone benchtop and a recycled- Blackbutt timber breakfast bar. White Japanese ceramic tiles on the splashback have a gently curved form created by using split bamboo, which gives texture to the wall.
Kitchen: Starcourt Joinery; timber: ZP Woodworks; Inax Yuki Border tiles: Artedomus
A cream brick wall with a fireplace anchors the living area. All new windows have painted Australian hardwood timber frames with low-E clear double glazing.
Charolais Cream Bowral Bricks: Austral Bricks; Heat & Glo SL-350 fireplace: Jetmaster; Blackbutt floorboards with Bona Traffic finish: Bona
Charolais Cream Bowral Bricks: Austral Bricks; Heat & Glo SL-350 fireplace: Jetmaster; Blackbutt floorboards with Bona Traffic finish: Bona
Decking extends from the kitchen and dining area into the garden to create a stronger indoor-outdoor connection. The gable roof also extends, providing a timber pergola over the deck.
Glazed sliding, stackable doors also open the interior to the exterior and allow for natural ventilation and a greater sense of spaciousness.
Haby extended the master bedroom slightly to provide for a walk-in robe and ensuite. The walk-in robe separates the master bedroom from the entrance, allowing for greater privacy.
The bedroom faces the back garden with a timber joinery unit under the window for storage.
The ensuite is located at the entrance to the master bedroom, adjacent to the living area. It features a double-sink vanity to maximise storage.
Ghiaccio tiles in Vogue: Classic Ceramics
Ghiaccio tiles in Vogue: Classic Ceramics
The existing bathroom, located in the centre of the house, was small and poky. Haby reconfigured the space to create a separate powder room, allowing space for a generous shower and bathtub.
The open-framed vanity enhances the sense of space, while natural light that streams through the west-facing window bounces off the white tiles to illuminate the room.
Vanity and bathtub: Duravit
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More
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Vanity and bathtub: Duravit
Tell us
What’s your favourite feature in this home? Tell us in the Comments below, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more great design? Read last week’s Stickybeak: A Steep, Narrow Site Makes Way for a Fun Family Home
Who lives here: A couple with their two children, aged six and nine, and their dog
Location: Sandringham, Victoria
Size: 217 square metres; three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Architect: Sheri Haby Architects
Like many older houses in the area, the cottage had a previous rear extension that accommodated the master bedroom, kitchen and dining area. But with a south-facing backyard, the interior received little natural light and was poorly configured.