Tuesday May 26 2009

It says something about the hold a house can have on a person that five years after moving into her Melbourne residence, Kylie Ross still walks through her home admiring its many beautiful aspects. From the fine stained-glass windows by the front door to the love seat in the study where she can sit and look out to the hundred-year-old trees shading the front yard, Kylie adores this generously sized, four-bedroom Victorian property.

“It was built in about 1897. I liked the space it offered and the detailing of the original architecture,” she says. “It is also close to schools, kindergartens, parks, shops – and there’s a great bike path, too.”

These are elements that matter since Kylie has four sons – Fletcher, seven, Declan, six, four-year-old Aiden and Tarin, aged two. It’s a large house that has grand rooms at the front, as was the fashion in Victorian times. With about four-metre-high ceilings, original light fittings and marble fireplaces, these rooms remain mostly unchanged. But, as with many older homes, there were areas that called out to be modernised, particularly to accommodate the needs of a growing family.

Kylie turned to an old family friend, Kerry Callaghan of Callaghan Group Architects to design the renovation. “We needed a new family room, kitchen and dining area as well as new bathrooms,” she says. “We wanted a big, open space with lots of light that was robust enough to take the knocks from four boys and their friends!”

To sympathetically merge the two architectural styles, Kerry continued the ceiling heights of the original house into the extension. The blending of eras was further assisted by the black and white palette chosen by Kylie and interior design firm NH Webb – and it’s easy on the eye and to upkeep. “I didn’t want the area to look dated in five years and I think white goes with everything. The dark floors look wonderful and are very easy to maintain,” says Kylie.

In the kitchen, Kerry designed storage for trays and large platters, a special cupboard to stash school bags and a scullery, where Kylie can place all the dirty dishes until she’s ready to tackle them.

And while Kylie had a new ensuite and walk-in-wardrobe added to the main bedroom, the boys also have a new bathroom and large rumpus room where they can play and watch TV.

“Every aspect of the house is so liveable,” says Kylie. “The boys can play and be noisy but not disturb anyone and there’s lots of room to move … a real privilege these days.”

How they live
Kylie has created a cheerful, light-filled home for herself and her four sons. “The house is surrounded by windows so there are no horrible dark spaces,” she says. This, combined with the high ceilings and predominantly white walls helps to bounce light around the living areas. Also important was the need to create different areas suited to the requirements of each family member. “Having a big garden provides my noisy sons with endless opportunities to play outside,” says Kylie. “The older boys can play tennis and cricket or go swimming while the younger boys jump on the trampoline or dig in the sandpit.” Inside, a similar design sentiment applies. “There are designated play areas and no-go zones,” says Kylie. “This way it’s easy to keep the house tidy.”

Personal touch

HIDDEN ASSETS One of Kylie’s favourite features is the scullery. “At the end of a meal, the boys put their dishes in the scullery, shut the door and the kitchen still looks clean and tidy.

I tend to the washing up at my own pace without having to look at a pile of dirty dishes.” Also, a study nook to the right of the kitchen keeps bills and paperwork hidden, but is easy to access. “I needed to have a couple of areas to help deal with the messier parts of life,” says Kylie.

OLD MEETS NEW The renovation allowed Kylie to experiment with modern finishes and furniture, but at the front of the house she kept the original features she first fell in love with. “The leadlights and period pieces in my bedroom and the study are delightful. These spaces are just for me,” she says.