St Kilda House

This Californian bungalow in St Kilda East had great bones but needed a considered reimagining. Working largely within the existing footprint, we focused on refining flow and function.

The biggest move was pulling out the old kitchen to create a step-in pantry and coffee zone. Our client, an exuberant cook – regaled us with tales of his partner perched at the bench, wine in hand, while he whipped up feasts: pasta flour in the air and pots bubbling. To honour that scene, we designed an oversized walk-around island with abundant storage and generous seating.

Respecting the home’s classic character, we layered in dark timber floors, timeless joinery detailing, handmade tiles, and decorative lighting. For entertaining, a long built-in dining seat cleverly doubled as storage while easing the common pinch point between living and dining in period homes. A central fireplace and TV wall now conceal a library and laundry – charming legacies of the old plan, transformed into hidden delights.