This is Kelly

This is Kelly, a brick house nestled in Northcote. Built in 1941, the house was part of the interwar housing fabric. After sitting vacant for five years, new owners envisioned turning it into a lasting family home.

Kelly's tired appearance and challenging south-facing orientation inspired a project focused on quality transformations over sheer size. The removal of a sunroom and brick walls made way for a skillion-roofed extension, allowing natural light to flood the new living spaces.

The design aimed to create a sun-kissed entertaining area, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces through a double-glazed lift-and-slide sliding door by BINQ. Handcrafted materials, including matte white Colorbond cladding and symbolic encaustic tiles, were chosen to seamlessly blend with Kelly's original features.

Handcrafted and honest materials were chosen for the new works as contemporary bookends to Kelly’s traditional counterparts. Matte white Colorbond cladding to the new rear façade mirrored the original matte white rendered art deco front façade. Encaustic tiles to the island benchtop reflected – in both colour and kiln-drying process - the original red brick that was exposed on the opposing lounge room wall. From California-inspired kitchen links to symbolic tile patterns in the bathroom, every detail pays homage to Kelly's rich history.

In all, the design ensures the new works had a contemporary version of ornament and drama that could stand up beside the Interwar original, and they finalise a home that is a fitting tribute to the unique character and personalities of Kelly’s new family.