Dutch kit home given new life in Melbourne
Located in the Melbourne suburb of Kilsyth, this house has undergone such a radical transformation that it’s hard to believe it was once a 1950s kit home shipped in from The Netherlands! “Being from Holland, it had very interesting architectural features but was a very rundown, untouched home in need of much love,” says interior designer Natalie Stoppa of the home that she once shared with her partner Daniel, and their two children. And while the family have since moved on, Natalie is still enamoured with the renovation which she is walking us through today.
“We bought the house the day we saw it. It was the ugliest house I had found, but it had potential,” says Natalie who transformed the home from a dated three-bedroom, one-bathroom space with minimal storage to a gorgeous four-bedroom haven, complete with an extra walk-in robe, additional bathroom and an extended deck.
The renovation process started at the front where the addition of a portico made a dramatic difference. “The house had no street appeal so the best place to extend was from the front and I decided to give it a Queenslander-inspired feel as I’ve always loved that style,” says Natalie.
Inside, the most dramatic change was made through dismantling the walls that separated the kitchen and living/dining areas, creating a seamless, open space. “This made the world of difference to an already tiny home,” says Natalie who explains that the open plan redesign transformed the once-cramped home into a spacious, inviting abode.
In the master bedroom, extra storage was added with hanging space and mirrored doors – the original robe was transformed into shelving for linen. The storage continued in the study where Natalie designed deep office cupboards perfect for hiding printers and stationery. “It was the perfect spot to store my samples for work and keep it looking clean and tidy,” says Natalie.
“The bathrooms are my favourite. I love the that I went out of my comfort zone and chose interesting floor tiles,” says Natalie who always knew she would sell the home, so kept the bathrooms largely monochrome.
The laundry, cleverly designed as a hybrid butler’s pantry and laundry, showcases Natalie’s design prowess – every inch has been maximised for both functionality and aesthetics. “The laundry is an absolute pleasure to be in, would you believe!” says Natalie.
Natalie has since sold the home and is moving to Victoria’s Ballerine area. “We’ve always wanted a coastal lifestyle,” says Natalie who has over 20 years of experience in the Melbourne interior design industry and underpins all her projects with a personalised design philosophy. “I believe it’s important to live in a space where you can truly feel yourself and that reflects you, your personality and unique style.”
For more on Natalie Stoppa and Review Interiors
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