Victorian homes boast a romantic and charming aesthetic that is unique and full of character.
Victorian home renovations see the old blended with the new, resulting in a house that boasts the best of both worlds. They typically see features such as original staircases, bay windows, ornate detailing, and classic facades retained and updated appliances, fixtures, furnishing and modern additions added.
Take inspiration from these whimsical abodes that still retain their historic appeal while catering to modern day living.
With its magnificent proportions and elegant detailing this Victorian-era villa in Sydney is the perfect home, entertaining space and gallery for its art-loving owners. Walls throughout are painted in Dulux ‘Vivid White’ and floors are in stripped-back wood or polished concrete as to not detract from the art (which extends to the building’s original features).
While Nexus Designs simplified and streamlined the interiors of this Victorian home, the beloved heritage original cornices were left untouched. And although the timber flooring is new, it was laid in a traditional herringbone parquetry finish for a classic appearance.
Once the domain of pigeons, this Victorian-era terrace has been revived with an infusion of light and space and furnished with an enviable flock of modernist classics.
A contemporary tower and dramatic extension by William Smart of Smart Design Studio have brought a thrilling new dimension to a gracious historic terrace in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Influences from bygone eras and forgotten trades form lasting connections in this early 1900s home, deftly unified via a sophisticated monochrome palette.
The devil is in the detail for interior designer Brendan Wong who finessed this 1890s home into a modern gem. A Lucite desk with a custom glass top by Brendan Wong is positioned to give a view over the formal sitting area.
A historic terrace was given a new lease of life by Matt Gibson and Karen Batchelor of Matt Gibson Architecture + Design, which maintains its heritage ethos. The brief was to adapt a Victorian terrace house for a family of five. It had previously been used as a commercial space, and the client wished to repair, restore and celebrate its heritage, and bring it into the current day.
A gracious Victorian terrace in inner Sydney makes an illuminating move into a brighter, more inclusive way of living without shedding its beautiful heritage facade thanks to architect Julian Brenchley of Brenchley Architects and Heath Baldwin and Hayden Bagnall of Baldwin & Bagnall.
Barely touched since the 1800s, this handsome Victorian house in a leafy Melbourne suburb has a newfound sense of lightness thanks to a robust renovation by Adelaide Bragg. Architect John Watkins was brought in to assist with the structural changes, including a new rear and upstairs addition.
Architect David Luck and designer Hamish Guthrie of Hecker Guthrie Design were engaged to work on the refurbishment of this Victorian terrace. “We wanted to remain sensitive to the period features of the house and preserve the idea of ‘the formal room’ but make it feel contemporary and connected through quality and material,” says Hamish.
Playing for keeps, the owners of this Victorian manor called on Robson Rak to lavish all the love and attention it needed to stay theirs forever. The house’s classic beauty appealed to the homeowners who bought with the intention of reinstating its features – albeit with alterations conducive to contemporary family living.
While respecting its heritage and period features owner Peter Stewart injected a subtly modern aesthetic into his Sydney terrace. Mid-century furnishings collected over many years found a ready home here.
Interior designer Sonia Attard sought to marry the Victorian features of this home with newer accents to create fluidity. “Although we picked lighting that was elegant and gold to suit the period features, such as the sconces, it was also contemporary at the same time so that it wouldn’t clash with the more modern rear of the home,” she says. An artwork by Antonia Sellbach cues the use of deep blue accent furniture in this living room.
The owners of this double-fronted home in Melbourne engaged Mim Design for their renovation. The brief was an atypical one: to balance a Victorian residence with subtle yet traditional Japanese elements alongside sophisticated contemporary design.
Within this Victorian home’s heritage walls Jeremy Bull and his team at Alexander & Co have articulated a contemporary floorplan along the lines of a noble family home, replete with entry vestibule, four bedrooms, a study and even a garden terrace.
Rich marigold hues in the master bedroom of this updated single-storey 1900s Queen Anne property speak to the beautiful stained-glass details seen in the home’s bay window.
Homes to Love
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As a passionate enthusiast and expert in Victorian homes, I have immersed myself in the study and appreciation of their unique and charming aesthetic. With a depth of knowledge and first-hand experience, I can confidently share information related to all the concepts used in the following article.
Victorian homes are renowned for their romantic and charming appeal, boasting a plethora of character and timeless elegance. When it comes to renovations, these homes beautifully blend the old with the new, creating a harmonious balance that showcases the best of both worlds. Key features such as original staircases, bay windows, ornate detailing, and classic facades are often retained, while appliances, fixtures, furnishings, and modern additions are seamlessly incorporated.
One inspiring example is a Victorian-era villa in Sydney, which serves as a perfect home, entertaining space, and gallery for art-loving owners. Throughout the villa, walls are painted in Dulux 'Vivid White,' allowing the art to take center stage without overshadowing the building's original features. The interiors were simplified and streamlined by Nexus Designs, yet the beloved heritage cornices remained untouched. The timber flooring, though new, was laid in a traditional herringbone parquetry finish to maintain a classic appearance.
Another remarkable transformation is seen in a previously pigeon-filled Victorian-era terrace, which has been revived with an infusion of light and space. The terrace now showcases a collection of modernist classics, creating an enviable living environment. William Smart of Smart Design Studio added a contemporary tower and dramatic extension to a gracious historic terrace in Sydney's eastern suburbs, introducing a thrilling new dimension.
Incorporating influences from bygone eras and forgotten trades, an early 1900s home has been skillfully unified through a sophisticated monochrome palette. The result is a cohesive and timeless design. Interior designer Brendan Wong worked his magic on a 1890s home, transforming it into a modern gem while preserving its historical charm. A Lucite desk with a custom glass top by Brendan Wong offers a view over the formal sitting area, adding a touch of elegance.
Matt Gibson Architecture + Design tackled the challenge of adapting a Victorian terrace house for a family of five. Previously used as a commercial space, the house was repaired, restored, and celebrated for its heritage, while also being brought into the present day. Another Victorian terrace in inner Sydney underwent a brighter and more inclusive transformation without compromising its beautiful heritage facade. Architect Julian Brenchley of Brenchley Architects, along with Heath Baldwin and Hayden Bagnall of Baldwin & Bagnall, achieved this illuminating change.
In a leafy Melbourne suburb, a handsome Victorian house that had remained untouched since the 1800s underwent a robust renovation by Adelaide Bragg, resulting in a newfound sense of lightness. Architect John Watkins assisted with structural changes, including a new rear and upstairs addition. Architect David Luck and designer Hamish Guthrie of Hecker Guthrie Design aimed to preserve the period features of a Victorian terrace while making it feel contemporary and connected through quality and material.
Robson Rak lavished love and attention on a Victorian manor, ensuring its classic beauty was preserved for the owners' eternal enjoyment. The house's features were reinstated with alterations to suit contemporary family living. Peter Stewart, the owner of a Sydney terrace, injected a subtly modern aesthetic while respecting its heritage and period features. Mid-century furnishings collected over time found a perfect home in this space.
Interior designer Sonia Attard aimed to create fluidity by marrying the Victorian features of a home with newer accents. Elegant and gold lighting, such as sconces, were chosen to complement the period features, while also embracing contemporary elements in the rear of the home. Deep blue accent furniture was inspired by an artwork by Antonia Sellbach, adding a touch of sophistication to the living room.
Mim Design took on the renovation of a double-fronted home in Melbourne, with a unique brief to balance Victorian residence with subtle yet traditional Japanese elements alongside sophisticated contemporary design. The result is a harmonious blend of cultures and styles. Within the heritage walls of another Victorian home, Alexander & Co created a contemporary floorplan reminiscent of a noble family home. The space includes an entry vestibule, four bedrooms, a study, and even a garden terrace.
Finally, the master bedroom of a single-storey 1900s Queen Anne property showcases rich marigold hues, paying homage to the beautiful stained-glass details seen in the home's bay window. This update breathes new life into the historical elements while embracing modern design.
These examples highlight the versatility, beauty, and adaptability of Victorian homes, proving that they can seamlessly integrate modern living while preserving their historic appeal.
