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 of architect Alexandra Ansari. While the home had beautiful original brickwork, it had last been renovated in the 90’s and the south-facing living room was dark, the kitchen outdated, the laundry lacked storage and the bathrooms were badly designed.

“Nearly every room was either outdated or not functional for a family,” says Alexandra who, instead of carrying out a whole-house renovation, updated key parts of the house with a budget of $210,000. “Almost half of that amount was spent on cabinetry and stone and the figure doesn’t include furniture, curtains or appliances,” says Alexandra.

When it came to a design brief, the home’s owners requested a contemporary look and a grey colour palette with the notable exception of the living room which found inspiration in an unlikely spot – the original red marble fireplace. “The owners loved the old fireplace’s warmth but hated its appearance. However, the red marble set the perfect mood for the renovation and inspired the colour scheme,” says Alexandra.

“In the kitchen, we removed the bar as this was only used for storage. This opened up the space and allowed us to create a bigger, more centralised kitchen,” says Alexandra. Joinery and furniture were then used to establish distinct areas for formal dining, relaxing and family time in the kitchen. 

When it came to furnishing the property, the biggest splurge was on a series of pieces by Melbourne-based Beeline Design including a dining table, side table and coffee table. “Their Ridge tables are timeless and beautiful and the different tabletops really complement the home’s design,” says Alexandra.

The laundry overhaul centred around clean finishes and clever storage solutions such as doors that retract back inside their housings. “Skylight shafts were opened up and replaced with more modern alternatives to flood light and fresh air into previously dark spaces,” says Alexandra of a technique that was employed throughout the home.

As for the overall look and feel of the renovation? “Both the materials and colour palette make each space look much bigger, lighter and therefore more comfortable to spend time in.”

Photos: Michelle Williams

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