Open House
A 1930s home is given a new lease on life, making it a delightfully lofty, light-filled sanctuary.
ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS Mountford McCarey • PHOTOSHOOT STYLIST Grace Buckley • PHOTOGRAPHY Jody D’Arcy • STORY Elizabeth Clarke
Thoughtful is an apt appraisal of the considered renovation of this 1930s Menora home, from its carefully preserved frontage to its contemporary extension that connects effortlessly with its leafy surrounds.
Architect Ben Mountford, from the firm Mountford McCarey, was approached by the owners to find the perfect balance between heritage and contemporary. Known as an “inter-war functionalist” home, referencing the period spanning the two world wars when building materials were in short supply, the home was not listed as significant and thus was able to be modernised.
"There was some merit in the existing home, and the council required at least the front to be kept or the home to be demolished entirely and rebuilt in a prescribed style," says Ben. The catch? Retaining the original frontage as long as the rear extension remained hidden from the street.
After restoration of the original two front rooms, one now a formal living space and the other a guest bedroom, and renovation of an old bathroom, the home’s rear 1970s extension was demolished to make way for a generous two-storey wing orientated to the northern aspected back garden.
"While the front of the home was kept modest and in keeping with the streetscape, the extension was to be open, sunlit and luxurious," says Ben. "Menora is known for its beautiful trees, and we wanted the home to look into their canopy and engage with parts of the site the owners felt had been neglected."
Utilising the ample space, Ben created a lofty rear wing with textured brick walls, large picture windows, and vast sliding glass doors that open the kitchen, dining and living area to the garden terrace. It is a design, he says, not typical of a cottage renovation.
"A strictly pragmatic approach would be to separate [those spaces] and add a box extension, but instead we took a fully integrated approach and added another storey to the home interior over the formal dining room before opening up the family space at ground level so the inside and outside spaces are seamless and lofty,” he explains. “All the new openings frame the trees and garden, providing long views of the canopy. Dappled sunlight dances across the courtyard and deep into the home, so it's a dynamic yet relaxing space to be in.”
On the ground level is an open-plan living space that is spacious and airy. Life is lived mainly in the kitchen, which, unlike the traditional tucked-away butler's pantry, is fitted with extensive built-in joinery and extends to the adjacent sitting area.
A floating staircase, comprising timber treads and a curve-ended balustrade, lead to the master suite and the couple's treehouse-like bedroom. “They prefer to sleep with the windows open at night and love the calming effect of the outdoors,” says Ben, who placed their suite on the upper floor amid the age-old tree canopy. Glazed sliding doors open out into the branches for an immersive experience.
Elements of the original home, including Art Deco motifs such as staggered tile and brickwork, curved handrails and metal fireplaces, were introduced into the new wing. The period rooms at the front retained their original ornate bevelled glass doors.
"It was like a second chance for the older home, and it informed our new interior spaces," says Ben, who decided against a door between the old and the new, allowing them to melt into each other.
Ben’s partner, Dervla McCarey, introduced a series of finely detailed architectural elements in steel and marble with strong, simple forms and plenty of curves. “The owners appreciate beautiful artwork and furniture and acquired many pieces from a relative who is an antique art dealer interested in Japanese antiques,” she says. These treasures coexist intriguingly with striking new pieces such as Fogia's Bollo Easy Chair and a range of Fermob outdoor furniture that are perfect for entertaining al fresco.
"The owners are busy with work and play but love to relax at home," says Ben. "They host family and friends on Friday nights, so for our project meetings spanning eight months, we met at the house on Friday afternoons. I could see it would always be an open house, and now it performs beautifully as just that."
An antique Japanese screen from Edo Arts steals the spotlight in the open-plan living space. The floor rugis from Jenny Jones Rugs, and Vibia Tempo light pendants from Sii LIGHT.
Dark cabinetry is given life by a clever lighting plan that includes Deltalight track lights from Inlite.
The owner’s luxe furnishings make a strong statement against the inky joinery.
Large panes of glass by DGA Windows create an effortless connection between indoors and the garden.
The stair plinth is clad in Carrara marble and extends to form a fireplace plinth on the wall behind. “We introduced this to connect the architectural elements in the centre of the home and provide a display area for sculptural pieces,” says Dervla.
“The original bathroom had a beautiful but wonky terrazzo floor with a perimeter upstand around the wall,” says Ben. “We felt sad demolishing it but reintroduced terrazzo in the new powder room.” A sculptural pedestal washbasin clad in terrazzo with a brass strip accent and a sculptural wall conceals the powder room, which also functions as a guest bathroom.
A light and airy living space, complete with original leadlight French doors, is filled with the owners’ treasures and furnishings.
The master bed is styled in layers of Hale Mercantile Co. linens from editeur. “The bespoke headboard references the timber floor boards and bespoke floating joinery drawers,” says Dervla. The Vibia Tempo light pendants are from Sii LIGHT.
The sunlit master bedroom backs onto the ensuite. The suspended bedside light pendant is from Sii LIGHT.
The tapware in the master ensuite is by Astra Walker.
Mature trees were integrated into new landscaping by Studio 634 Landscapes.
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