RISING UP

Having bought a dilapidated house on a compact block, the owner of this Melbourne property started planning for a more stylish future.

- Carli Philips

A melting pot of eateries, pubs, outlet stores and trendy bars, the bustling neighbourhood in Melbourne’s inner east where this home is located is much loved by locals. Yet behind the busy roads splicing through its centre are quiet, charming streets where new and old sit side by side. The residential plots are mostly compact, originally designed to accommodate terraces and workers’ cottages, so new homes must be built with Tetris-like precision. Interior designer Mikayla Rose, director and principal at Heartly, took it all in her stride.

The owner, Dan, who lives in the house with his partner and their labradoodle, Hugo, had a very specific wish list. “The brief was to create a functional home with zones where a family can come together and enjoy their own space – even on the tiny 148-square-meter block. The design was completed pre-Covid and it was vital that there was a workspace in each bedroom,” says Dan.

The existing single-fronted Victorian cottage was dilapidated and since it had no heritage overlay, knocking it down and starting from scratch was a no-brainer. And while its width is the same as others on the street, a thoughtful floor plan resulted in a house that is surprisingly spacious. The addition of a second storey also enabled the inclusion of a rooftop terrace with a magnificent panoramic view across the city.