We find it hard to go past a heritage home without wanting to take a peek inside. Today we get to take you around House 1915. A glorious heritage style home, reimagined with timeless details and a modern palette.
It might be a heritage home, but just wait till you see the wine storage! And the dining room… you are in for a TREAT! Come along as Silvia Roldan, Principal Designer of Studio Esar, takes us on a tour.
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When it came to updating House 1915, it had to be carefully (and thoughtfully) reimagined.
“This home is a residence of significant historical and architectural value,” explains Silvia. “The design approach honours the home’s original character and heritage-listed status.
“We wanted to introduce a layer of contemporary elegance and create a seamless blend of past and present.
It was never about reinventing the home. It was about listening to its history and finding a way to bring that story forward with integrity.
“We preserved the home’s original floorplan to ensure the home’s architectural DNA remained intact. Rather than reconfigure, instead we re-imagined the spaces, and enhanced them with a curated selection of furniture, objects and art that balance sculptural form with material richness.
“We crafted a heavily textured material palette that elevates the space, drawing attention to its inter-war detailing, particularly the intricate ceiling and wall moldings.”
While the floorplan of House 1915 remains the same, the entire home was transformed.
“Our vision was to honour the historic charm of the house while creating a space that felt fresh, contemporary and deeply reflective of our client’s lifestyle. This vision became the foundation of our brief,” Silvia says.
“We worked closely with the clients, embracing their evolving ideas and ensuring that every new element harmonised seamlessly with the essence of the home.
“The whole front of the house went through a full renovation. We pulled up the carpet and underflooring and replaced with new yellow tongue boards.
“New stumps were inserted throughout and the fireplace in the formal living room was re-supported as it was slowly collapsing. We ground the stucco off the walls too.
“The dark timber panelling was stripped back and repainted. We replaced the carpets, removed the wallpaper and updated the window coverings.
“We also removed and replaced the timber mantles in the formal living room and bedroom and replaced them with Carrara marble mantles.
“There was so much work that went in, despite not changing the floorplan itself!”
There’s no denying that the dining room is a standout space.
“It’s wonderful isn’t it?!” smiles Silvia. “The wallpaper was one of the first textiles we selected. It helped set the tone for the green hues that weave subtly throughout the rest of the home.
“We went with a forest-inspired woven textile wallpaper by Arte Wallpaper. It sets a tactile tone, anchoring the room with a sense of atmosphere and depth.
The dark green ceiling immediately sets a grounded tone. It’s bold but not overpowering and cocoons the space.
“The space is enriched with bespoke, artist-made pieces. There is the sculptural pendant by Daniel Giffin, a solid timber dining table by Christopher Blank, and fully upholstered dining chairs by Gubi.”
It was the custom-built wine cabinet that caught our eye when we first explored this heritage style home.
“Yes, the wine cabinet is another favourite of mine too!” says Silvia. “The bespoke, custom-built cabinetry is crafted in timber veneer and adorned with patterned grilles by Joseph Giles.
“It strikes a balance between transparency and texture. The marble handles elevate the functional element into a work of art.”
Photography — Elise Scott
What a stunning heritage style home! We love the use of modern art and furniture pieces that contrast the home’s heritage features. If you would like to discover more homes from Studio Esar, check out their website or give them a follow on Instagram.
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