The owners of this Northcote bungalow had owned the house for more than a decade before commissioning Pipcorn Kilpatrick to renovate it.
“The original part of the house could be described as an interwar cottage with Art Deco influences – including intricate ceiling roses and three sets of stunning kaleidoscope doors – waiting to be freed from the heavy dark and yellow walls that hinder their impact,” says Jane Kilpatrick, interior designer and co-founder of Pipcorn Kilpatrick.
The back of the house had a 1990s extension, which looked rather out of place compared to the old-fashioned charm of the front rooms. In addition, there was only one bathroom, awkwardly placed in the middle of the floor plan, which was “in desperate need of rearrangement” to better accommodate the crowded family of five.
“Our clients were initially looking to extend and add a second floor, but the spacious spaces that allow lots of light into the dining areas and well-positioned kitchen convinced them to work with the existing extension,” adds Jane.
Instead, they opted for a series of “simple tweaks” that solved the home’s functional shortcomings, creating a warmer interior palette filled with woods and natural colors.
The bathroom was partitioned off to create an additional powder room, the large tub was replaced with a shower with beautiful glass doors, and an awkward door in the hallway was removed to create a new wooden cabinet for storing school bags, shoes and sports equipment.
In the kitchen, existing openings to the backyard have been expanded with new double-glazed sliding doors and a black wooden bench beneath now provides a sunny dining nook, framed by an Akari pendant lamp.
“The other big shift from ’90s glam to beautiful, integrated colors came after the existing polished granite countertops were refinished,” says Jane. “With the shine gone, the warm tones in the granite blend beautifully with the wood extension and island bench, while the darker, cooler tones blend with the existing purple kitchen cabinets and soft-toned bjmat tile.”
The Macasar Building team also carefully sanded and resealed the existing floors and charming stained glass doors, revealing the natural wood hidden beneath.
Every little adjustment has opened up a new sense of space in the 144 square metre dwelling, without compromising the family’s beloved backyard. The abundant natural sunlight that fills the house all day is the cherry on the cake.
