Tag: Construct Melbourne

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European vibes: California bungalow reno embraces natural light

Lounge room
Living room

Home to a young couple, who have just returned from the UK with a baby on the way, this gorgeous newly renovated home has a decidedly European feel despite its Melbourne locale. A refined renovation of an existing Californian Bungalow, the home’s original architectural details have been preserved with the new light-filled extension makes it ideal for a growing family.

Kitchen

“The couple were previously living in the UK and wanted to return to their antipodean roots, embrace the natural light they had missed in London, and make it the heart of the home,” says the couple’s friend and interior designer Ryan Fernandes who worked alongside architect Angela Prince on the Bentleigh home that was built by Construct Melbourne.

Bedroom
Bedroom

The original home’s labyrinth-style layout was replaced with one with much greater functionality. And while the couple favoured clean lines, they were after a relaxed, classic feel with a twist – a palette of blues, greys and whites feature alongside pops of red. Blackbutt timber floors and polished nickel fixtures complement the home’s traditional-style entrance and ornate heritage ceiling while the interior styling includes Danish design pieces alongside antique fabrics.

Dining
Colour is used to dramatic effect in the dining room

A standout space, the kitchen features handmade Moroccan tiling and white shaker-style joinery paired with a black range cooker. Nearby, a built-in custom bar works to merge the kitchen and living spaces – it gets plenty of use after dark.

The kitchen has a concealed bar
The kitchen has a cleverly concealed bar

One of the loveliest aspects of the home, pops of green that can be seen from several of the rooms. The living area looks onto a wall of greenery enjoyed alongside a homely gas log fireplace and sophisticated wall sconces. Nearby, the bathroom features rich blue tiles as well a freestanding Victorian claw foot bath – a timeless design that makes the space. 

Lounge room
Living room
Bathroom
Bathroom

Overall, the final design successfully preserves the home’s lovely historical features while feeling thoroughly modern throughout. And it’s all the more impressive when you consider the home is nestled amid apartment buildings and flats.

Child's room
Child’s room

For more from Construct Melbourne

Photography: Elise Scott

Unlikely hero: Red marble fireplace stars in Melbourne reno

Located in Melbourne’s leafy Brighton East, this Tudor Revival residence underwent a pretty incredible makeover recently under the watchful eye…

Melbourne heritage home renovation with pops of colour & texture

Located on a generously proportioned block in Melbourne’s Toorak, this grand 1930’s home was renovated and extended recently with Lucy…
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Architecture Before & Afters House Tours Interiors Addict Interviews Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Sentimental Melbourne holiday home given new lease of life

AFTER living room

Home to a retired barrister, this cabin-esque coastal retreat is nestled in a leafy part of Victoria’s Portsea and has been completely overhauled with Construct Melbourne at the helm. “It’s a sentimental family home that has been in the family for generations and we were contracted to complete a major renovation on it,” says managing director Rhyse Mazza, who also happened to win the 2021 Young Builder of the Year (residential) award from the Master Builder Victoria Awards.

BEFORE living area
BEFORE living area
AFTER living area
AFTER living area
AFTER
AFTER lounge room. The original timber wall panelling was preserved to stay true to the home’s history.

The previous home was modest, worn and in need of an overhaul. However, it was hugely important for the owner to stay true to the original 1960s feel. “His family have grown very attached to the home and the design brief was to maintain a true sense of a family friendly coastal retreat while completely it,” says Rhyse.

BEFORE kitchen
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER dining
AFTER dining. Floor to ceiling windows dissolve the boundary between inside and out.

But the home’s original, dilapidated state meant that ‘renovating’ resulted in completely replicating some of aspects of the home – for instance, the panelled ceiling was entirely recreated. “There is a fine line between restoring and replacing – the client found it very difficult to let go of some features due to sentimental value such as light fittings and the timber feature wall in the lounge,” says Rhyse.

BEFORE bedroom
AFTER bedroom
AFTER bedroom

The gorgeous main living area is the beating heart of the home, and it features an abundance of natural light as well as an exposed steel structural beam and local limestone. “We utilised locally sourced limestone for the feature wall and fireplace,” says Rhyse of the hero feature that was the biggest splurge of the project – the limestone alone cost $15,000.

BEFORE bathroom
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

“We are very proud of how the project has a new lease on life, while still staying true to the original home, and being completely renovated. We’ve also managed to maintain that beach holiday house feel.”

AFTER living room
One last look at that beautiful light-filled living space

Photography: Simon Shiff | Styling: Coastal Living

For more on Construct Melbourne

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Designed to take full of advantage of its spectacular location, this holiday home is comprised of a progression of pavilions…
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Appliances Design Expert Tips Kitchens Living Room

Black kitchens: Top tips on how to create one

Written by Anne-marie Burian

Once considered a daring choice, fast forward to 2021 and black kitchens are becoming an increasingly popular option for those wanting an elegant statement at the centre of the home. Black is the colour of mystery and power and naturally provides dramatic appeal. The moody hues of this residence, located in Melbourne’s Sandringham and built by Construct Melbourne, add chic sophistication and the kitchen also provides a stylish central zone for the family to gather. But just how should you delve into the dark arts of designing an inky hued kitchen?

Ensure adequate lighting
Dark colours absorb light. It is important to include adequate lighting when designing your kitchen to maintain balance. In this residence, the combination of open plan layout, cathedral ceilings and generous windows provide plenty of light. This allows appreciation of the depth of colours and details present in the marble bench and splashback. Pristine white walls and light timber flooring soften the intensity of the striking black cabinets and provide balance between light and dark. 

Faucets and fixings
Carefully consider the details you wish to capture attention. Feature faucets and fixings can add contrast and visual interest – brass, brushed nickel or white will offer a stark contrast, depending on your style. This kitchen uses matte black tap ware that dissolves into the surrounding aesthetic seamlessly, allowing for intentionally minimal sophistication. 

The kitchen features an ilve graphite freestanding cooker

Benches and splash backs
Pairing black kitchen cabinets with textured materials such as timber, concrete, marble, and exposed brick provides rich character. This kitchen uses black Marquina Lithostone with subdued marble vein for the waterfall bench top and splash back, capturing simplicity without monotony. Black cabinets can be used to frame island benches and splash backs when using contrasting hues, while black joinery can draw the eye to the space as a whole. A white marble island, against black joinery, is a great statement look for a kitchen. 

Décor
Black cabinetry offers a polished canvas to highlight accent colours of décor and art in the foreground. In this home, décor, furniture, and art complement the home, striking the optimal balance between minimalism and charm.

The adjoining lounge room complements the moody kitchen

Touchless Surfaces
Black surfaces can show fingerprints and dust more readily, however technology has progressed significantly in this area to put your mind at ease. This kitchen utilises touchless matte black Laminex joinery so you can enjoy flawless beauty without pesky fingerprints.

Builder: Construct Melbourne | Architect: MUS Collective

Photography: Simon Shiff

Melbourne artist’s new renovation full of statement black

Named after the structure that joins the home’s heritage front and modern extension, Colonnade House is the latest creation by the talented team at Melbourne architectural studio Splinter Society. Located…