naturally lit

When Tom and Meeghan McInerney bought a 1940s house in Lake Wendouree it was, despite its age, anything but a renovator’s delight. Previously owned by two sisters who had lived there for 60 years, the property had been extremely well looked after, even coming with a maintenance record that detailed such upkeep as biannual repainting.

The original timber paneling and ornate plaster-work on the ceiling were also in pristine condition. Nevertheless, the couple was keen to create a light, modern space within their new family home, and Ballarat architect Nathan Porter of Porter Architects shared their vision. “It was very dark and underwhelming (and) one of the things Meeghan and Tom wanted to do very early on was have a glimpse of naturally lit spaces as soon as you enter the building,” says Nathan. “We kept as much original as possible, but there were some helter-skelter areas at the back that needed a good tidy up.”

The plan was to create two architecturally delineated zones, the original front with bedrooms, bathrooms and a study, leading to a contemporary, naturally lit extension. The existing hardwood floors that were in perfect condition at the front of the house were matched with recycled floorboards in the rear extension, creating a common thread which works for both spaces and unifies the new and the old. The bedrooms have been treated to contemporary en-suites, black tap fittings and classic wall tiles sourced by the couple. Generously-sized windows look out onto the north facing backyard, this larger living space is where the family spends most of their time.