Nestled among three-quarters of an acre of gorgeous English gardens, the owners of this original 100-year-old Victorian home wanted to realise their dream by adding the “perfect” touch.

With exquisite details on the original home, such as stylish stone work on the exterior of the house,10-foot ceilings and Victorian-moulded cornices inside, the owner’s primary concern was to find a designer that would stay true to the construction principles of the early 1900s.
AVJennings Home Improvements discussed the client’s needs and desires and took the complete environment of the home into consideration when planning and completing the renovation.

The client’s brief was to increase the entertaining space and, at the same time, use what could be a truly magnificent view of their garden from inside the house. To achieve both these needs, AVJennings Home Improvements demolished the home’s sunroom and replaced it with, what can only be described as, a stunning dining, entertaining area. A hexagonal-shaped, conservatory was built with 10-foot, floor-to-ceiling glass windows with timber frames and colonial glazing bars that feature quoin work. This superb room not only provides uninterrupted views of the glorious garden with eight times the space for entertaining than the old sunroom, but is in perfect keeping with the original 1900s house. The owners describe the connection of the exterior stone work and the interior high ceilings, cornices and chair rails as “perfect”.
AVJennings Home Improvement also provided the opportunity to create a much-needed wardrobe for the main bedroom. By using a portion of the new entertaining area, a functional and large walk-in wardrobe was built, complete with mirrored doors that create a further sense of space. The home’s existing bathroom was also renovated to allow character roofing to blend with the existing external verandah. The laundry was extended to provide additional space and the fittings and fixtures, tilings and accessories were revamped using a contemporary style.

Finally, a majestic new entrance into the home, linking the entry hall to the living area was also created. The use of striking features such as truss and keystone mouldings surrounding the opening to the new dining area, not only ensure continuity throughout the home, but are also a testament to the attention to detail considered in this renovation. The owners of the home could not be happier, believing that the renovations have given their new home its own sense of magic.

PROJECT PARTICULARS
The project was designed by A VJennings of AVJennings Limited
62 The Parade, Norwood, SA 5067
Phone (08) 8201 0000

FLOORING
Living room: Sheet flooring with carpet
Bathroom: New concrete floor with tiling

WINDOWS
Living room: Timber-framed picture windows with colonial glazing bars <B>WALLS<B>
Living areas: Brick veneer walls with sections of stone and timber windows Bathroom: Solid wall from existing home to brick veneer walls to new area

LIGHTING
Downlights

ADDITIONAL
10-foot-high ceilings to blend with the original home, external walls in feature stone to blend with the original home, Victorian-moulded cornices and picture rails to blend with existing cornices and rails, and moulded arch and chair rails to blend with existing opening.

The stone walls in historic homes such as these are a wonderful feature to retain but must be cared for appropriately. Never attempt to undertake any building work on a period stone wall without consulting a professional first or the damage you do may be irreparable. If the wall is stained, and gentle cleaning does not seem to be working, a specialist cleaner may be able to work on it with a micro-abrasive technique. The key with these old stone walls is to always consult with a professional and this magnificent feature will be around for many years to come.