Out of the woodwork

The Sunday Times, Home – 25th April 2010
By Isabella Arena

Building a unique courtyard at the rear of the property has given this Subiaco character home a class new look

Working with rustic building products and historic design features while revamping this Subiaco character home was an absolute delight for the team at Dale Alcock Home Improvement.

“The owners wanted a grand, seamless look that was crisp and clean but very classic at the same time”, say Dale Alcock Home Improvement general manager Seb Mariata.

“So we worked with a lot of the existing colonial elements, such as the strong use of timber to achieve this style”.

“After digging out the existing back yard, and removing a number of difficult trees, we were able to begin the rear extensions, which revolved heavily around the construction of the central courtyard, along with an additional laundry, kitchen and living room”.

Colonial-style black and white checkerboard ceramic tiles have been used to great effect in the new wing.

Rick French-oak flooring has also been used extensively throughout the house, while other existing timber elements were painted white to enhance the neutral colour scheme.

Seb says the kitchen, which was designed by the owners, is the epitome of elegance.

It sports white Carrara marble benchtops and splashbacks along the stainless-steel Stoves appliances.  A set of bifold doors open out from the kitchen to a Victorian-style courtyard that has been landscaped with liquid limestone paving and ornamental pear trees.

The grand living room – which has an eye catching, timber-lined raked ceiling – also opens to the courtyard.

“The standout features of the house is definitely the way both the kitchen and grand dining room open to the courtyard, which has quite a unique setting” Seb says.

A built-in fireplace, highlight window glazing above some of the home’s tall French doors and a solid timber laundry door with a porthole viewing window cut into it are some of the home’s other notable design elements.

“We’re all very satisfied with the outcome of this renovation” Seb says.  “Whether it be natural or otherwise, all the elements of the house speak for themselves”.