There aren’t many people who can take an already renovated 1930s property, renovate it again, and end up with an even more characterful, charming home.
Instead of trendy fixtures and an ultra-contemporary extension, owners Josh and Anastasia Elias updated their Malvern East home to feature recycled materials and secondhand furniture throughout.
‘When expanding the footprint of the home, we didn’t want to impose upon the original character,’ says Anastasia, founder of new homewares business Elias Mercantile. ‘We loved the warmth that came with the age of the original home and wanted to help it grow a little to accommodate our family.’
Josh and Anastasia designed the renovations and extensions themselves under the tutelage of Nick Gribble from Restored Building Co, interior designer Studio AMI, and consultant Moyshe Elias.
Works in the original portion of the home involved shifting the previously narrow and dark hallway; dividing the formal dining room into a powder room, walk-in wardrobe and en suite; and converting the attic into storage space.
The kitchen, sunroom, outhouse and laundry were demolished to create the rear extension, but original materials were salvaged in the process. Anastasia explains, ‘We stacked every brick, chipped off the plaster and mortar, and then later reused them to build the extension.’
Several reclaimed windows with steel-frames and brass hardware now open this rear area up to embrace the outdoors.
Other reclaimed materials in the home include several internal doors, and a glass window used in the en suite. ‘I have such wonderful memories racing around Victoria to visit far off salvage yards, searching for that perfect something that would form the tapestry of what would become our home,’ Anastasia says.
The handmade and hand painted kitchens cabinetry is the work of UK cabinet maker, deVOL Kitchens, who Anastasia came across on Pinterest. Initially out of reach due to budget constraints, these were able to be included after reworking the design. Anastasia says, ‘After doing some research we realised that if we kept the design of the kitchen simple we could feasibly import our kitchen and mix the cabinets with loose furniture.’
The couple’s existing large mid-century glass-fronted cabinet in particular works to soften this space, while increasing valuable storage space. ‘We wanted to use it in the kitchen, so that was a great influence on the layout for the kitchen and how it evolved. We then found a beautiful old workbench at an antique auction which became the island,’ says Anastasia.
The home’s main bathroom was also reconfigured at the suggestion of Anouska Milstein of Studio AMI to accommodate a separate bath and shower. Surfaces inside and out have been painted with Dulux Natural White.
The cherry on top of this delightful renovation is the abundant garden, which was planted with help from Bespoke Landscapes just two years ago! A neighbour’s towering historic tree canopy including an enormous Norfolk pine further adds to the landscape, while inviting dramatic silhouettes into the home on clear nights. (Take a closer look at the garden here!)
Anastasia describes the completed property as nostalgic, and timeless. ‘It is a true reflection of what we believed would be the best outcome for the home; a response to what it was lacking, with an open mind to what it could be.’
If you love Anastasia’s style, check out her brand new homewares business, Elias Mercantile.
