A classic Victorian terrace home captures the refined essence of the French Riviera

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going against that attractive and relaxed little outdoor area

However, when owners David and Adelle picked up their new place in 2021, Riviera dreams were just a world away and back in cyberspace, largely comprising a stash of inspirational pics they'd collected on Pinterest.

The site of the place was generous. But the terrace, which was last renovated in the '70s, looked a bit rough – its pink paint job and old lean-to added structures at the back didn't exactly scream style. Recently, it had been a sad sharehouse with all the damp and mould you could handle, and it looked like the living area and backyard were only connected by one cramped door.

But that didn't deter real estate agent David, with his keen eye for a property's potential. "The worse the condition, the better," he says.

remained a major attraction for the couple.

So, she shared the studio's love for classy, everlasting design with subdued colour schemes and traditional subtleties, and that's definitely what they were looking for.

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“Fair dinkum, we're huge on entertainin',” says David, “so we wanted the grand formalit of the lounge and dining room out the front and a casual, modern section out the back, with heaps of natural light.”

In sync with architects Graphio AM, Carla removed the back wall and created an open-plan extension, featuring living, kitchen, and dining areas, plus a powder room sneaked under the stairs.

they're separated by a light-filled atrium, which Carla refers to as "the gallery" – creating a clear divide between the two.

"We didn't want the front and back to be chock-a-block – you walk through the foyer, like a portal, and come into the new place, which is more laid-back with fewer frills, mate," reckons Carla. In short, we wanted to channel the laid-back vibes of a European holiday.

"That transition between the old and the new, with its curved wall and foliage, is a bit of a surprise. We wanted every window in the house to face out onto some greenery," adds Adelle.

Carla faithfully restored the original features in the front section, including the cornicing and ceiling roses, and removed a wall between the hallway and the formal living area, "creating a wow moment when you walk in".

She then installed decorative panels and skirting boards to give it more depth and interest.

But unity front and back is fostered through chevron flooring that flows throughout, with a marble border at the entrance adding to that "wow moment".

The symmetrically arched entrances, all signalling back to the original facade.

Playfulness and a sense of mystery spread throughout the house, with service rooms like the main bedroom's walk-in wardrobe, downstairs dunny and the laundry all hidden behind false walls.

“They're like hideaway spaces you wouldn't even know existed,” says Carla. “It's like somethin' straight out of Harry Potter,” explains David, “where the wall just transforms into a door and leads into a top-notch area.”

Fair dinkum, there's even a cellar, tucked away under the new loungeroom.

The Design Team

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