St Kilda West House

St Kilda West House
St Kilda West, Melbourne

Residential

An untouched Edwardian, this home in Melbourne’s bayside featured ornate cornices and impressive arches under vast 3.6 metre high ceilings when the owners purchased it in 2020. Reticent to destroy too much of its traditional character, the main challenge involved deciding what to salvage versus what would be necessary to strip in order to accommodate a new master bedroom, ensuite and WIR.

In contrast, the rear intervention is clearly defined with an open-plan communal zone and upstairs kids floor featuring a dramatic metal scalloped privacy screen lining the outside windows. For this young family, maintaining a sense of ease and flexibility was top of mind as they sought a joyful, effortless home to share with their three small children.

Fun and open-minded, these clients were hugely responsive to the introduction of colour, settling on a light peach kitchen joinery and soft pink spiral staircase. Round edges echo throughout, softening the kitchen island corners and adding interest to the concave curtained dining wall. To get the most out of the 400 sqm site, a floor-to-ceiling glass wall at the rear opens flush for the indoors to meet the paved courtyard and pool.