An interior designer’s thoughtful and successful heritage renovation

We love a period home renovation around here and when this one crossed our desks, we couldn’t help but sit up and take notice. A modern yet authentic take on a 1930’s home, the home repeats the subtle curves of its façade inside, and combines them with a calm colour palette and an abundance of natural light. The overall result is really rather dreamy.

As an interior designer, Alison Lewis had always dreamt of designing a period style home so when this one came up in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Kew, she jumped at the chance. But rather than throw herself into the renovation straightaway, the designer decided to rip up and replace the 40-year-old dust filled carpets and live in the space for a year.

“This process was crucial in helping me understand the flow and best use of each space – not to mention the best light!” says Alison. Perhaps it’s this approach that has produced such a thoughtful interior?

By living in the home, the designer was also able to visualise a new floor plan much more easily – living in it gave her the ultimate insight into what changes needed to be mae. The seamless end result has seen the home flooded with natural light, its period features preserved, and mod-cons installed.

“First and foremost, I wanted to create a beautiful space; one that I found it was a pleasure to be in and one that created calm in the often-chaotic world that comes with having a little person in our lives,” says Alison who is a mother to a young daughter.

Floor plan changes included creating another bathroom, relocating the laundry and hiding her daughter’s room behind some clever joinery so as to give her privacy and soundproofing when Alison was entertaining late into the evening.

The kitchen is full of clever design details too including a compact yet efficient utility cupboard. “It’s a beautiful space to put the kettle on, store my favourite ceramic mugs, tea and coffee but one that I also feel comfortable opening when guests come around,” says Alison.

“I love that we’ve been able to open it up. The new open plan floorplan means the kitchen, dining and living spaces all have a harmonious and beautiful relationship to each other. Adding value to a home so that I leave it better than when I first found it is my definition of a successful renovation.”

Photography: Dylan Lewis | Interior Design & styling: Alison Lewis Interiors | Builder: CJ and C Construction

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