Photography: Tatjana Plitt | Styling: Jacqui Addison
A country meets coastal aesthetic was the driving force behind the renovation of this home for a couple and their children in a leafy Melbourne suburb with a high concentration of historical homes. “My clients wanted something light and bright,” says architect Aydan Doherty of Design by AD. “He loves surfing but comes from Tassie so he also has some rural roots. We designed the home to blend a bit of both, and tie back to its Edwardian style.”
The family bought the house during Covid and were referred to Aydan through someone in their tennis club. While liveable, it was a rabbit warren with a kitchen lean-to, and after staying there for just under a year, they hit the ground running with a renovation. “A soft, contemporary aesthetic was central to their brief,” says Aydan. “They wanted to avoid stark contrasts within the existing heritage fabric, steering clear of overt minimalism or heavy materials.” Instead, they adopted a light palette with natural finishes such as warm timbers, and aged brass accents on tapware, sconces and bathroom mirrors.
“We introduced materials that have a sense of depth and timeless character. They didn’t want anything Scandi!”
Their wish list was specific and tailored to evolving family life: a spacious main suite, home office, guest accommodation, expansive communal zone, kid-focused upper level and new outdoor leisure amenities.
While the traditional part of the house was retained, it was stripped internally. The front room was repurposed into a study, while the adjacent space became the guest room. Two rooms on the opposite side of the hallway now form the reimagined main suite with a walk-in-robe. Aydan also managed to squeeze in a bath that looks out to a new internal courtyard with a Japanese maple.
“The view introduces greenery and daylight into the elongated plan and a private outlook,” says Aydan.
A laundry and wine storage form the linkway between the old house and modern extension. A step down unfolds into the expansive, mixed-use kitchen, dining and living. “We created an obvious architectural break that demarcates the transition between the original dwelling and the addition. The split not only defines eras, but also introduces a gentle level change, creating a gradual descent into the new wing,” he says. Unlike the architecture, the material and finishes palette was designed to create a consistent, seamless flow from front to back.
“We introduced materials that have a sense of depth and timeless character. They didn’t want anything Scandi!”
AYDAN DOHERTY, ARCHITECT
Aydan created the living room so that the family could all enjoy the space differently, but at the same time. There’s a sun-washed window seat with a view to supervising kids playing in the pool, a quiet nook for reading and a double-sided Jardan ‘Lenny’ sofa with one side facing the TV and the other facing the fireplace.
“It’s a flexible and generous space that now invites varied modes of occupation and focal points. The multipurpose layout enables the family to share the space while engaging in distinct activities. In the winter months, one might be curled up with a book while another watches television,” he says.
Increasing the home’s footprint meant sacrificing a lot of the garden, but the homeowners wanted to be able to sit in the living room and have a view of the outdoors. Aydan designed the L-shaped floorplan so that there could be access to the courtyard from both the kitchen and living area.
“The geometry is orchestrated around the pool so there’s a constant visual relationship with water,” he explains. “We’re really big on biophilic design and the intention was to ensure that every space remained visually tethered to nature and connected to the rhythm of seasonal light.”
“On the first floor there are two bedrooms, a rumpus and a shared bathroom for the kids. Having a dedicated realm upstairs means they can have a space to grow into as they get older. They can make it into their own little sanctuary.”
THIS IS THE LIFE
“We wanted a home that was comfortable, uncluttered and relaxed, which is what we got!” says one of the owners. “It’s the perfect size for a family of four and designed so that we can accommodate the growing needs of our family as the children get older. There’s lots of natural light and we love how it casts shadows across the ceiling and floor throughout the day.”
The Design Team
Design by AD: designbyad.com.au.
Align Concepts: alignconcepts.com.au
Shop the look
Contemporary meets traditional in this selection of homewares designed to create connection.
Bronte Round Natural Dining Table
Lounge Lovers, $1699
Emali Vase
Trit House, $120
Claro Espresso Cup & Saucer
Myer, $12.95
Riella Floor Lamp
Freedom, $469
