A timeless classic Victorian weatherboard renovation adds essential space for this family to enjoy.

This stunning Victorian home, situated in the Melbourne suburb of Canterbury, was renovated and decorated by Doug Susic of Natalex Constructions. The owner asked Doug to renovate the house and create a space that fi ts in with their lifestyle, so the living area is very important — a comfortable space for the family. With contemporary amenities and period ambience, this home is fresh, sparkling, beautiful and low maintenance.

The house has authentic features and presents a pure example of how the house would have been built in the 1890s. The important factor in reconstructing the magnifi cent Victorian era in this contemporary Victorian house is its 3.6m-high ceilings. These give a feeling of grandness and spaciousness.

The front of the house, with its raised timber deck verandah, is extremely authentic and brings you into the house with traditional raised timber fl oors. This inviting entry preserves all the important elements of the Victorian era. Painted in plain colours, with red-green contrasting details and strips, solid cedar cricket back front doors with side leadlights, highlights and brass fittings, Victorian eaves, traditional corrugated-iron pitched roof with gutters and decorative elements, gives that classic Australian look.

The Australian tradition is to build a wide verandah at the front of the house to provide shelter on hot summer days. That was an integral part of nearly every house at that time and still is now. The classic Victorian verandah with a bullnose roof, cast-iron lacework, turned posts and inside the house timber stairs, hand rails and balustrade, add beautiful original elements to the house. The builder incorporated advances in new building material technology to create a higher standard for the owners, allowing them to have a more pleasant living environment.

Doug said, “With serious consideration and a look to the past we created a new style and more comfortable living than in a traditional Victorian house, exhibiting a stunning blend of period charm and contemporary living”.

Solid cedar double-hung windows and doors were used throughout the house. Victorian gutter cornices and traditional eight-inch skirting boards and fi ve-inch architraves add impressive charm to the interior. A traditional classic 1890 entrance, stunning hallway and Victorian archway brings you to an open-plan area incorporating the kitchen, meals and family area.

The back door opens onto an entertaining area incorporating covered decking, with the great Aussie barbecue built in. This house has a 5-star rating achieved with orientation of the windows, verandahs, eaves and window hoods, good insulation in the roof and ceilings and all external walls, adding comfort in living and saving energy. This captivating timber period residence offers a sensational family environment, embracing a fabulous indoor and outdoor lifestyle. It incorporates Sydney bluegum polished floorboards of Uncompromising style and quality, a gorgeous main bedroom with luxurious ensuite and walkin robe, ducted heating and reverse cycle air conditioning, rainwater tank and many other features which make the home exceedingly comfortable and stylish.