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The Sunday Times
Home Magazine - 10 May 2009

Oldie Gets a Facelift

This ageing home has a new lease of life much to the delight of the owners who now enjoy an improved lifestyle

Behind the unassuming façade of a 1920s North Perth home lies something of an architectural masterstroke.  Because, if you follow the jarrah floorboards from the front door you'll find you've moved from an ornate period property into a light, modern family home without missing a beat.

"We wanted spaces that promoted interaction, a contemporary, open kitchen, and more bedrooms,"
says the owner.

"We never actually briefed the architects in terms of the aesthetic because we know their sensibilities and we just knew what we were going to get would be amazing."

Fleur was right – so seamless is the link between old and new that the contemporary, open-plan extension somehow looks as if it's always been there.
That this extension is such a natural addition to the early-20th century property is no accident.

"In terms of materials, we wanted to play with the traditional components of lean-to extensions,"
the architect says.

"The result is an extension with a mix of weatherboard and corrugated iron.  The form and composition is very different but the connection to the old is still referenced.

"The key to the integration of the two elements was to continue the materials and finishes from the existing into the new.

"A key element is using one of the existing bedrooms as a transition space.  This room, which is used as a study and children's rumpus, becomes a central space linking the living at the back with the entry through the existing."

For both the owners and the architects, the question of whether a modern extension to a period property would work was never an issue.

"Doing re-creations of older styles is mimicking mimicry,"
they say.

"It should be illegal."

So, what was once a small, two-bedroom property with a sleep-out is now a modern family home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The two children's rooms are in the original part of the home, along with the spare bedroom, rumpus room and study.

From there, a hallway leads into the new kitchen and living area – what the Architect refers to as a "pure-form box".  And the space is deceptively simple – a long strip of glazed doors fill the room with light, while high ceilings and a neutral colour scheme enhance the feeling of space.

"The main issue with the old house was that it was just so restrictive in how we wanted to live,"
says the owner.

"The volume of space was something we'd come to appreciate, but the rooms were void of any connection."

"It made entertaining really difficult and for someone who loves to cook, the original home just didn't allow me to share this passion with family and friends."

The creation of a sociable, functional kitchen was close to the owner’s heart, and she worked closely with the Architect to design a space she'd be happy in.

The result is an open-plan kitchen separated from the living only by an upstand with clever storage, sleek appliances and plenty of bench space.

The Owner’s background in interior design has helped make the connection between old and new all the more effective.  Restored vintage furniture and striking fabrics feature throughout the house, and give it its unique sense of style.

"I've had fun purchasing some furniture pieces (more rooms and more children), but I've had to choose carefully so as to respect the beauty of the extension,"
she says.

The Architects share the appreciation of mid-century design, and indulged this with the timber balustrade on the staircase that leads from the living room up to the first floor main bedroom.

"We both love 60s and 70s residential architecture,"
they say.

"We drive through Floreat and Coolbinia with our cameras for fun."

Upstairs is a sanctuary – a spacious bedroom they can retreat to at the end of the day.

"I strongly believe in the act of 'retiring',"
says the Architect.

"The bedroom needs to be physically separated to allow parents a space that is sacred and private."

"The Owners couldn't be happier with the completed renovation.  Not only has it given their ageing home a new lease of life, it's also improved the family's lifestyle.

"The renovated home has afforded us an entirely new lifestyle where friends, neighbours, family and dogs unite in a beautifully proportioned space, inside and out,"
she says.

"You can't see the extension from the façade and we love this feeling of it being our own little community."

"We now truly appreciate the dynamic of the spaces and the character of the block – in fact the character of our suburb."

"The Architects skilled use of windows mean we enjoy the sky and surrounding vistas with childlike enthusiasm."

Lisa Amphlett

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