Modern heritage homes are truly something special. The classic heritage features melding with modern luxuries — it’s a style that’s undeniably beautiful, but also incredibly difficult to get right. So when the question of how to renovate a modern heritage home kept popping up, we knew we had to do something about it!
We gathered together a panel of design experts to ask them all the questions you want answered on how to renovate a modern heritage home.
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What is a modern heritage home?
Modern heritage style combines the character and historical significance of a traditional or heritage listed home, with modern design.
Heritage homes are properties or buildings that have historical, cultural architectural or social significance. They are protected under local, state or national heritage laws which means they come with a whole lot of beauty (and complication!).
It’s all about balancing the timeless beauty and traditional architecture, with modern design principles. Think ornate ceilings, leadlight windows, timber detailing and metal fretwork. For the modern side of things, we’re talking about clean lines, open plan living, and sleek fixtures and finishes.
Modern heritage homes honour the beautiful history and architecture of a home, while adding in touches of luxury to suit modern day, contemporary life.
Tips on how to renovate a modern heritage home
When it comes to renovating a modern heritage home, it’s all about respecting the original character. These beautiful homes celebrate their architectural past while embracing the comforts and aesthetics of modern living.
“I believe it’s important to maintain as many of the heritage features as you can. It’s what gives the home true authenticity and character,” says interior designer Michelle Hart of Bask Interiors.
Laura Steele, Creative Director from Branche Design agrees.
“Quiet often the original materials will tell a story about the existing architectural style, making it a simpler process when selecting materials for the new renovation.
The goal is to honour the character and history of the home while ensuring it functions well for contemporary living.
Laura Steele, Branche Design
Key points: Modern heritage homes are the best of both worlds. They combine classic charm with contemporary functionality.
How to get the balance right in a modern heritage home
The key to getting the balance right on a modern heritage renovation, is contrast with intention.
“This can be achieved through thoughtful planning and design,” Laura says. “Determine what gives the home its character. For example, mouldings, original flooring, fireplaces, windows etc.
“When specifying materials for your project, keep with a slightly traditional aesthetic in the permanent fixtures, such as doors, skirtings and architraves. Then you can introduce more contemporary features through elements such as lighting, textiles and furniture,” Laura says.
Rebeka Morgan, registered builder and director of BuildHer Collective suggests, “Balance the old and new. Strive for a harmonious balance between old and new elements, ensuring that each complements the other to create a cohesive and timeless design.”
When it comes to the ‘modern’ part of your home, remember that it doesn’t all have to be contemporary.
“You can intentionally incorporate some traditional elements in the new part of your renovation by selecting subtle details that marry in with the old, but give it a new modern twist,” suggests Michelle.
“It could be as simple as the selection of hardware on doors and on cabinetry, tapware or sanitary fittings such as basins or a bath.
“Window furnishings is another way to keep the traditional elements seamless through a new renovation in a heritage home. Adding wallpaper to a formal room adds that more heritage style back in to a space, as does your lighting selection.”
Key points: Don’t be afraid of mixing old with new. Keep permanent fixtures in the heritage spaces traditional and add modern pieces through lighting, textiles and furnishings. In the modern spaces, add touches of tradition such as hardware, taps and window furnishings.
Heritage exterior
“Using a combination of organic materials on the interiors and carrying it outside to the exterior is the perfect way to seamlessly fuse old and new together,” Laura says.
“Timber, exposed brick walls, and even natural stone all have a very timeless appeal. When combined with some bolder accents such as charcoal or black, this tends to give an older home a more contemporary vibe.”
“Weatherboards, sash timber windows, and feature stainglass windows are some of my favourite heritage features,” says Michelle. “Further adding to the heritage characteristics are things such as oversized painted wooden doors, metal fretwork around verandahs and hand made encaustic tiles for front entry verandahs.”
Rebeka highlights the importance of preserving the home’s architectural features. “Make a feature of the distinctive elements of the original structure, such as ornate details and traditional materials, to maintain its historic charm.”
Important note: When it comes to how to renovate a modern heritage home, be sure to check with local council regarding any exterior changes you wish to make. There may be restrictions and requirements around what can be altered, demolished, or developed, particularly to protect key features like the façade or specific architectural elements.
Modern exterior
To create a distinctly modern look which contrasts with the heritage front, Rebeka suggests using:
- Hardie Fine Texture Cladding
- Hardie Oblique Cladding
- Hardie Brushed Concrete Cladding
- Axon Cladding.
Timber cladding or batters are a great addition for extensions or screening. Choose native tones like spotted gum or blackbutt. Recycled brick can add texture and warmth to a modern extension while still respecting the home’s history. Or consider render for a nice contrast to exisiting heritage textures.
Paint colours — exterior
With so many gorgeous paints and colours on offer, it can be a little overwhelming to know where to start. Here are our designers favourite exterior paint choices.
- Dulux Dieskau — for subtle or soft.
- Dulux Colorbond Monument — a dark, grounding shade for trims or steel features.
- Dulux Natural White — timeless soft white.
- Dulux Silkwort — for added depth.
- Dulux Teahouse — for something with a bit of a mood and a little darker.
- Porter’s Paints French Green — classic, yet modern.
Paint colours — interiors
Our experts share their thoughts for interior paint colours for how to renovate a modern heritage home.
“I think heritage homes look great no matter what colour palette you select for the interiors,” says Michelle.
“The colours should stick to similar tones though so they are complimentary as you move from space to space. Think warmer hues like terracotta, ochres and yellows. Or you could choose cooler tones like soft blues, sage green and light greys.
“If you are using white, it should be on the warmer side though which also blends in well with creamier neutrals like beige and natural linen colours.”
When it comes to interior paint colours, I always lean towards ‘warm’ tones. Even ‘cool’ colours like blue can have cool or warm hues. So no matter what colour you’re drawn to, look for those with a warm base.
Gina Beschorner, Style Curator
Rebeka says a clean colour palette that connects the old and the new is central to nailing the modern heritage look.
“You can’t go wrong with a combination of whites and warm charcoals. This makes for a timeless colour palette,” says Laura.
“My favourite go to white is Dulux Natural White. I find it suits almost all timber flooring selections. It also doesn’t have too much of a cool undertone like a lot of whites, which makes it easier to select soft furnishings to suit.”
We also love Dulux Spanish Olive and Taubmans Moon River for a soft and subtle addition of colour.
Key points: Neutral, warm tones tend to suit heritage homes beautifully. Creamy whites, soft greys, and muted greens. These colours complement timber trims, brickwork, and ornate detailing without feeling too stark.
Things to avoid when renovating a modern heritage home
“There’s something about mixing sensitive restoration with bold renovation. Preserving the beauty and character of a heritage house while transforming it for modern lifestyle,” says Rebeka.
“A huge no for me would be to completely take out all of the special heritage features inside the original part of the home,” says Michelle.
“Things such as detailed ceilings and cornices. Using square set ceilings or replacing tall skirting boards with shorter more modern ones. Trying to over modernise an entire home with interior finishes and selections, when you should be trying to marry in the new with the old in more of a seamless way.
When you take all the original detail out of the house and not pay homage to it, it’s like you take away it’s history, uniqueness and soul.
Michelle Hart, Bask Interiors
“I hate to see cheap imitation products that try to inject character but fall short. For example, if the budget doesn’t stretch to have authentic heritage tiles on the front porch, I’d suggest opting for a neutral yet affordable tile rather than an imitation heritage tile,” says Gina.
“For me, a big no is when people miss the beat on the architectural style of the home and chose finishes which over modernise the original design,” Laura says.
“This quite often happens when they have too many styles which appeal to them and want to use all these styles in the same design. For example, you might like the contemporary look of polished concrete and black tapware, however there is a time and a place where these types of finishes would suit the style of the home. They don’t belong in a heritage style home.”
Key points: Honour the past while creating a space that works for your future. Keep in those stunning original features (where you can). Don’t over modernise. Blend old and new with care and use materials that enhance your space not compete with it.
How to add modern heritage design elements in to your home
“You can’t go wrong with a clawfoot bath!” says Michelle. “I found one for a great price on Gumtree which I refurbished and sprayed. It gave so much character to the original bathroom.
“Another element you can add for that modern heritage design feature, are wall sconces. They immediately uplift a space and make the room feel more traditional. It also eliminates the need for table lamps.
“If you have a mantle, replace the surrounding tiles to make it feel more contemporary. And I also suggest refurbishing and painting any existing mantle piece around the original fireplace.
“An affordable tip when it comes to how to renovate a modern heritage home, is using porcelain encaustic look tiles. These are a more affordable option to add a heritage feature into a home renovation.”
Thank you so much to all our experts!
Gina Beschorner — Style Curator
Michelle Hart — Bask Interiors
Rebeka Morgan — BuildHer Collective
Laura Steele — Branche Design
So what did you think of our experts advice on how to renovate a modern heritage home? Have you picked up any hints or tips for your place? Do you also have some tips? We’d love to hear them! Share them in the comment section below!
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