Houzz Tour: An Edwardian Villa Goes From Tired to Timeless
A crumbling old cottage has been given a classic update with crisp white walls and beautiful natural wood details
Edwardian villas, built in Australia circa 1900 to 1915, are simple but beautiful. Designed to let in light and facilitate airflow, as well as reflecting an ever-growing desire for cleanliness, their refined appearance nods to their English roots.
This Edwardian villa in Northcote, Melbourne, a crumbling cottage when the clients purchased it, has been transformed into a modern, liveable and family-friendly home. Design company Heartly added a two-storey extension that takes on a more contemporary form but respects the form and function of the original house, with an emphasis on natural light, ventilation and spaces that are easy to clean.
This Edwardian villa in Northcote, Melbourne, a crumbling cottage when the clients purchased it, has been transformed into a modern, liveable and family-friendly home. Design company Heartly added a two-storey extension that takes on a more contemporary form but respects the form and function of the original house, with an emphasis on natural light, ventilation and spaces that are easy to clean.
“Externally, we wanted to retain the weatherboard, bringing it back to a smooth, white and fresh-but-natural timber surface, and then provide a strong contrast with the rough-sawn, blackened cypress,” says Rose. “The greenery of the garden and large expanses of glass are also an essential part of the palette.”
Inside, the intention was to retain the front room and hallway, but they had deteriorated too much. Only the original fretwork in the hallway remains; everything else was rebuilt and the materials replaced.
Cypress timber cladding stained in Aquaoil Charcoal (opaque), Quantum Timber Finishes.
Inside, the intention was to retain the front room and hallway, but they had deteriorated too much. Only the original fretwork in the hallway remains; everything else was rebuilt and the materials replaced.
Cypress timber cladding stained in Aquaoil Charcoal (opaque), Quantum Timber Finishes.
The ground floor comprises open-plan living at the rear and the master bedroom at the front. Upstairs in the extension are two bedrooms and a guest room/playroom.
The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area faces north to receive natural light throughout the day.
Large sliding glass doors visually and physically connect the living area with the garden. A roof over the deck provides shade and sun control, as does an additional awning.
Tailored 21 coffee table, Ross Gardam. Sofa, Plush. Alby ottoman, Jardan.
The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area faces north to receive natural light throughout the day.
Large sliding glass doors visually and physically connect the living area with the garden. A roof over the deck provides shade and sun control, as does an additional awning.
Tailored 21 coffee table, Ross Gardam. Sofa, Plush. Alby ottoman, Jardan.
Heartly continued the monochromatic palette inside the house with crisp white walls, a pale grey concrete floor, black steel and blackened textured oak, as used for the sliding door. Natural oak doors and joinery add warm and tactile details.
“We carefully thought out the application of materials; getting bang for buck was a key consideration,” says Rose.
“We carefully thought out the application of materials; getting bang for buck was a key consideration,” says Rose.
An elongated entertainment unit and timber shelf provide storage and display opportunities for family treasures.
See lots more ideas for shelving
See lots more ideas for shelving
The dining area behind the living space contains a timber dining table with crisp, clean lines and dining chairs with a slim sled base.
Winter dining table, Jardan. Visu dining chairs, Muuto.
Winter dining table, Jardan. Visu dining chairs, Muuto.
Opposite the dining table, a blackened oak door slides to reveal or conceal a nook with a desk and pinboard for the two young boys in the house. Heartly used a leftover piece of marble for the desktop in the study nook.
“While the location of the study nook is ideal for modern-day family life, the ability to close it off allows for versatility and flexible use of the space. It can easily be used as a more formal dining room when necessary,” says Rose.
“While the location of the study nook is ideal for modern-day family life, the ability to close it off allows for versatility and flexible use of the space. It can easily be used as a more formal dining room when necessary,” says Rose.
The kitchen is beyond the dining room, and a utility room is concealed behind a timber pivot door.
“The living area, dining space, kitchen and laundry are all connected. We wanted to create an open-plan space where practical requirements were accessible but also concealed if necessary,” says Rose. “It’s a beautiful, light-filled area where form and function are carefully balanced.”
“The living area, dining space, kitchen and laundry are all connected. We wanted to create an open-plan space where practical requirements were accessible but also concealed if necessary,” says Rose. “It’s a beautiful, light-filled area where form and function are carefully balanced.”
Crisp white lines continue throughout the kitchen and are complemented by white and grey marble on the rear wall.
Statuarietto marble splashback, CDK Stone. Worktop in Pure White, Caesarstone. Oak pendant, Ross Gardam.
Statuarietto marble splashback, CDK Stone. Worktop in Pure White, Caesarstone. Oak pendant, Ross Gardam.
Kitchen storage is organised in a walk-in pantry and integrated fridge. “It allows the rear of the kitchen to be the hero of the space. We deliberately avoided overhead cupboards in order to create the beautiful backdrop for the room,” says Rose.
The hallway extends from the kitchen to the front of the house. A courtyard allows for natural light and ventilation to penetrate the western side of the building.
“The greenery and light provided by the internal light well and garden is a critical part of the design,” says Rose.
Discover more kitchen island seating ideas
“The greenery and light provided by the internal light well and garden is a critical part of the design,” says Rose.
Discover more kitchen island seating ideas
A powder room, study, storage area and staircase are configured in the centre of the house. The colour palette and materials used in the living area continue into these spaces, with charcoal hexagonal tiles on the cloakroom wall.
The parents’ study is tucked under the stairs, where it receives natural light from the light well across the hall.
A storage room has been built at the front of the house, with a sliding timber door that reveals and conceals the space.
Browse more photos of ingenious storage solutions
Browse more photos of ingenious storage solutions
The owner designed the storeroom, which was built by Ben Thomas. “The idea was to create a practical and flexible storage area for bikes and kids’ bags and all the paraphernalia children require,” says Rose.
The oversized pegboard has moveable pegs that allow for a variety of objects and equipment to be stored as necessary, as well as holding a shelf and a bench for sitting on to tie shoes.
The oversized pegboard has moveable pegs that allow for a variety of objects and equipment to be stored as necessary, as well as holding a shelf and a bench for sitting on to tie shoes.
The master suite is at the front of the original house and includes the couple’s bedroom, an en suite and a built-in wardrobe. The master en suite was created in what was originally a bedroom.
Artwork, Rachel Castle.
Artwork, Rachel Castle.
Heartly restored the bay window and added plantation shutters. The wool carpet is soft underfoot.
Landscape artwork, Belynda Henry.
Landscape artwork, Belynda Henry.
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms for the young boys, as well as a guest/playroom and a bathroom.
In the boys’ bedrooms, the partially pitched ceilings allow for angled windows, which help light to filter into the rooms.
The bedrooms were fitted out and furnished to carefully consider the lowered ceiling, so as to avoid bumped heads. For example, a desk and shelf area has been created in one nook of the room.
The charcoal, white and oak palette continues in the bathrooms, which have been designed to be easy to use and clean.
“Walk-in showers were essential, as was practical storage, which is achieved with mirrored cupboards. Wall-hung basins enhance the sense of space – critical given the rooms aren’t huge,” says Rose.
What do you think of this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
What do you think of this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A couple and their two sons, aged 4 and 6
Location Northcote, Melbourne, Australia
Year restored 2015
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Designer Heartly
Builder Ben Thomas
“The brief was to create a timeless and contemporary yet warm home,” says Mikayla Rose, director of Heartly. “It also needed to be inviting, family-friendly and highly liveable, and make clever use of the limited space.”
Heartly designed the villa renovation, which involved retaining the traditional facade of the ground floor and adding a contemporary first floor to provide more space for the young family. The weatherboard exterior maintains the character of the original building, but is now contrasted with a blackened, textural addition.