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Before & after: An amazing California Bungalow transformation in Melbourne

By Amy Collins-Walker •

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Built in the 1930’s in the Melbourne suburb of Bentleigh, this Californian Bungalow was in a pretty sorry state when its owner Anita Woods decided to bid on it at auction in late 2018 after being on the real estate hunt for almost a year. “I came across this old home that had beautiful period features but was in desperate need of love and attention. It had huge potential, so I just knew this was the one.” She then overhauled the home over a 10-month period alongside Lyndal Williams from My Architect.

BEFORE front elevation
BEFORE front elevation
AFTER front elevation
AFTER front elevation

Anita has been building and renovating homes for the last five years, has a background in project management and is currently completing a Certificate IV in Building and Construction. “I have a long-term interest in real estate which stems from my Dad who would take us to open homes and auctions from a young age,” says Anita. 

BEFORE bedroom
AFTER bedroom
AFTER bedroom

Anita drew on all her life and vocational experience when sensitively transforming this home from a dated 85-year-old abode into something modern, yet still inviting; the result is a seamless blend of old and new.

BEFORE lounge
AFTER lounge. How lovely is that green paint?

When initially purchased, the home had faux mission brown brick-look cladding covering its original weatherboards plus a dated 1970s extension at the rear. Despite its obvious shortcomings, the home also had beautiful period features including original leadlight windows, intricate ceiling roses and cornices plus a gorgeous garden.

BEFORE bathroom
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

First up, the front of the home was restored before a light-filled, contemporary extension was added at the rear – a space that has since become the heart of the home and houses a gorgeous kitchen, living, dining and study space. 

BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen

“I love the reaction of people when they walk into the space for the first time, and the genuine surprise on their faces as this part of the house is hidden from the front,” says Anita of the extension that boasts 4.7m-high ceilings and large swathes of glazing that frame views of the lush established garden.

The gorgeous rear extension

When it comes to the home’s overall interior design, its soft colour palette is a highlight. “I tried to limit the amount of black and chrome finishes and took cues from the leadlights with the use of sage green in different parts of the house. I even used soft pink as a feature in the powder room which I absolutely love,” says Anita.

AFTER powder room. The pink terrazzo tile is from Academy Tiles.

Playful curves are another standout feature; they’re present in the shower screens, kitchen island bench top and statement fireplace. “Curves soften the spaces – particularly the tall curved fireplace which I think is gorgeous,” says Anita.

AFTER lounge

“I loved this project, and it has inspired me to do another one in the future. I really enjoyed the creativity of being able to make interior design choices that others appreciate, problem solving issues when they arise and working with some amazing people. It’s a very rewarding and satisfying process but isn’t easy!”

BEFORE garden
BEFORE garden
AFTER deck and garden
AFTER garden

Styling: The Real Estate Stylist | Photography: Dylan James

For more on Anita | Anita is a graduate of the BuildHer course.

The back deck by night
Renovate or move: family add 2 bedrooms to Inner West Sydney home
Do you love the area you live in, but you’ve outgrown the house? It’s a classic conundrum and it’s one that a young Sydney family had recently when deciding whether…

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November 27, 2020

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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Comments

  1. Jennifer Cassidy says

    February 19, 2023 at 11:00 am

    Hi we need help with interior designer of a similar 1930s bungalow home in Bentleigh. Do you have any recommendations on names of people of business that can help, not too expensive. Also this will not be a big reno, just paint, new kitchen and furniture buying etc. Thanks Jen 0405340148

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