While older homes have character baked in, they're not built for modern living. But, you can have the best of both worlds; old and new! Balston House is a renovation by Base Building Design & Interiors which shows how to maintain the period details while updating your home for modern living.
The original home was reinvigorated with a fresh coat of paint to highlight the period features. Engineered oak floorboards and white joinery bring contemporary touches to this original part of the house without dominating the period features.
The original fireplace is retained in the lounge and becomes a strong focal point as you enter the home. Tucked behind the fireplace and cleverly concealed behind timber battened walls is a toilet and laundry. Skylights over the stairs bring light into this central and traditionally dark part of the home.
Up a couple of steps, the full extent of the new living area reveals itself. Skylights and a splashback window let additional light into the living space, but the real show stopper is the expanse of glass opening the home onto the backyard and deck seamlessly.
The sliding glass doors visually extend the home outside and frame a view of the beautiful existing Boxelder Maple tree which will provide shade in the summer months while letting plenty of light warm up the concrete floor during winter.
In contrast to the period features of the original home, the new addition is relatively minimal and restrained. Burnished concrete floors and steel-framed windows are combined with the warmth and texture of exposed reclaimed brick.
Upstairs is a new main bedroom suite with bedroom, study and ensuite bathroom.
Now, with the best of both worlds, this family can enjoy the charm of their home, without sacrificing the space, light and efficiency they wanted for modern living.