This Carlton North period home brings together a charismatic blend of past and present. It dates back the late 19th century and, despite having changed hands several times since, has retained plenty of its old-world charm.
The front half of the four-bedroom house features a classic red-brick facade, iron-laced fence, and stained-glass windows from its stately heritage origins, while the rear extension and second level were completed by the previous owners about 20 years ago.
More recently though, the current owners gave the 680 Drummond Street property another facelift in 2019 with the help of Melbourne interior design firm, GOLDEN. The renovations freshened up the home with new floorboards upstairs and a polish throughout the ground floor.
The kitchen was the main focus of the update, replacing old timber storage with new white joinery and a contemporary island benchtop. ‘We wanted to [reflect] that we’re a creative couple through the design, with modern touches like the Anna Charlesworth pendant and sconce, but still pay homage to the history of the house with vintage-style fixtures’ the owners say.
These romantic hints of the past shine through in the kitchen’s brass tap, paired with high ceilings, rosettes, and original fireplaces throughout. The owners also decided to keep the home’s William Morris patterned wallpaper chosen by the previous owners, after falling in love with the bold and ‘gutsy’ feature.
But after ‘weathering the pandemic lockdowns in comfort’, the owners say their favourite feature is the views of its tranquil backyard and idyllic outdoor deck – complete with a circular hanging chair!
‘It’s delightful stepping out the back as you feel as though you have your own pocket of tropical Queensland in the centre of Melbourne,’ the couple explain. ‘It’s so serene and very special to see greenery out every window.’
Spanning 522sq m amid tree-lined streets, it’s a picture-perfect family home with the of the best shops and eateries of the inner north at its doorstep.
680 Drummond Street, Carlton North is listed with Sam Rigopoulos and Paula Beavis at Jellis Craig Northcote and goes to auction Saturday June 18 at 10am.
