My Houzz: Traditional in Front, Modern in Back
An Australian family of 6 adds a 2-story addition with an upstairs area just for the kids
It may look like a traditional Edwardian house from the street, but from the back this property is a space tailor-made for 21st-century living. When Jenna and Jon Purcell first viewed the home near Melbourne, Australia, in 2006, they were attracted to the large lot and beautifully sunny backyard. Back then the house was more than big enough for their family. But as the size of the family grew, they realized the home needed to grow as well, to accommodate the needs of children approaching their teen years.
The original Edwardian facade gives little indication of the contemporary renovation at the rear.
Dulux Natural White paint was used for both the interior and exterior, for a clean canvas. Jenna says her decorating style is neutral, simple and functional. The master bedroom at the front of the home is one of the original bedrooms.
Linen duvet cover: Target Home; lamp: Albi Imports
Linen duvet cover: Target Home; lamp: Albi Imports
Original features were left in place at the front of the house, including this fireplace.
Jenna has also used antique pieces to decorate this part of the home, including this beautiful oak chest of drawers.
The downstairs bathroom in the addition is more contemporary and is used by Jenna and Jon.
Faucets: Methven
Faucets: Methven
The kitchen island is the heart of the family’s home life. It’s where many meals are eaten while family members catch up on one another’s days. “I love it when the kids come home from school and sit up there, eating me out of house and home and telling me about their day,” Jenna says.
Silver Cloud granite counter: Corsi e Nicolai
Silver Cloud granite counter: Corsi e Nicolai
Stender included mirrors throughout the renovation, such as this backsplash in the kitchen, to maximize light. This piece also allows Jenna to keep an eye on the kids in the backyard, even when she has her back to them at the stove.
Jenna originally wanted an all-white kitchen, but Stender convinced her to mix in some dark grey to add depth to the space. Jenna advises other renovators and homeowners to trust their architects. “They can see the end result in their minds, and while you might think something isn’t going to work, it usually does!” she says. The cabinetry is a combination of laminates: Formica Silk Finish in Warm White and Laminex in New Graphite.
Kitchen table: Jardan; chairs and stools: Relaxhouse Furniture
From the kitchen counter, there’s a view out to the side entrance of the house, the most frequently used entrance. The mudroom off to the side of it is where school bags and dirty shoes get left when the kids return home from school.
An office nook, used for checking emails and studying, was built in the kitchen-dining area.
“One of the best features of the house is the glass dividing door between the kitchen and family room, so while the spaces feel open we can eliminate the noise by sliding the door across. With four kids we have lots of noise!” Jenna says.
The family room is Jenna’s favorite space in the house. “It gets the beautiful morning sun, and even in winter it’s the best spot to eat your breakfast. We have a fireplace, so in winter this room is cozy and warm,” she says. The TV was deliberately placed against a black background to minimize its presence.
Sofa: King Living; light fixture: ISM Objects
Sofa: King Living; light fixture: ISM Objects
On another wall is a piece Jenna and Jon had commissioned while on holiday in Australia’s Northern Territory.
Ottoman: King Living
Ottoman: King Living
The extension of the wood paneling is a clever way to combine indoors and out. When the sliding doors are open, the transition is seamless.
Aged smoked flooring: Royal Oak Floors
Aged smoked flooring: Royal Oak Floors
Jenna wanted something different for the backsplash in the laundry room but didn’t want anything too out there that she would come to regret. She decided on these Puzzle tiles from Academy Tiles, which she loves.
Upstairs is the kids’ domain. It’s essentially a square space with a bedroom in each corner, Jenna says.
The two boys share one bathroom, pictured, and the girls share another.
The girls’ bathroom is similar to the boys’, but with pink accents from the towels.
Each of the bedrooms has tall windows facing either north or south and an additional high window on the east or west side. This is Emma’s room in the southeast corner.
Bedding: Adairs; desk: Ikea; beanbag chair: Target
Bedding: Adairs; desk: Ikea; beanbag chair: Target
Max’s room is on the southwest corner and features a bunk bed for when friends sleep over.
Zoe’s room in the northeast corner is equally bright and open, with fun, bright colors used in the decor.
Another kid domain is the backyard. A pool and artificial-turf basketball court make it a paradise for the young ones that’s used every day.
The family was initially unsure about adding the basketball court but now absolutely loves it. A few of Jenna and Jon’s friends have even copied the feature.
Outdoor table and benches: Tait
The north-facing back part of the house is full of sunny pockets throughout the day.
Lounge chairs: Freedom
Jenna and the children in their backyard.
Acapulco chairs: Kmart
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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Acapulco chairs: Kmart
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Jenna and Jon Purcell and their four children: Zoe, 15, Sam, 12, Emma, 9, and Max, 6
Where: Deepdene, Victoria state, Australia
Size: Seven bedrooms, four bathrooms
Jenna and Jon Purcell bought their home 10 years ago, and at the time, Jenna says, they couldn’t have imagined that anyone would need so much space. “We had three children, one of which was a little baby,” she recalls. “After about five years and one more child, we realized we were going to outgrow it, and so started the plans to renovate.”
With the help of architect Michelle Stender, they added a contemporary two-story addition to the back of the traditional home. It includes a large open-plan area downstairs for living, dining and cooking and an upstairs area that is the exclusive domain of the kids. The upstairs has a communal entertainment area, separate bedrooms, a girls’ bathroom and a boys’ bathroom.
“It was a long, well-thought-out process that stopped and started, but we are thrilled with the outcome,” Jenna says. “We have been back living in the house for six months.”