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Coastal Charm with a Mid-Century Twist —
Nicole’s Portland Renovation Story
BUILDHER Nicole Farrell
LOCATION Portland, Victoria
When Nicole and her husband decided it was time for a change, they weren’t just chasing a new postcode—they were looking for a whole new chapter. After years of city life (Nicole working as a GP and her husband in commercial construction), an overseas trip turned into a big life pivot when COVID hit. They decided to make the move to Portland, Victoria—her husband’s hometown—and start fresh in a coastal community.
At first, building a brand-new home seemed like the obvious choice. Nicole even joined BuildHer Collective to wrap her head around the process.
“The course and community were fantastic,” she says. “It gave me the confidence to think bigger, to understand the process, and to see what was possible.”
But sometimes the perfect project just finds you!
The house that just kept calling.
Just two blocks from their rental, a mid-century modern beauty kept catching both their eyes. “We laughed when we realised we were each taking the long way home just to drive past it,” Nicole recalls. The couple even considered dropping a letter into the mailbox to see if the owners were selling—but decided that was too far-fetched.
Then fate stepped in. A few months later, the home hit the market. Designed in 1974 by Melbourne architect Ian Burch (known for his work with Merchant Builders), it had all the hallmarks of classic MCM style: north-facing orientation, walls of glass, exposed timber beams, and a seamless connection between indoors and out. They didn’t hesitate—it became theirs.
From one bathroom to a whole-house transformation.
The original plan was modest—renovate one bathroom, which had a cracked, leaking shower. Nicole was also pregnant at the time and really wanted a bath, but neither bathroom had one. That “small project” soon grew into a full renovation of the three-bedroom, two-bath home.
“Every time we did something, the house just shone more and more,” she says. “It became a labour of love to bring it back to its former glory—and beyond.”
The goal was clear: keep the mid-century aesthetic while modernising for today’s lifestyle.
Design decisions that made the difference.
One of the biggest transformations was also the biggest bargain. They ripped up new carpet to reveal solid Tassie Oak floorboards underneath—now beautifully refinished and insulated for warmth. (Being such a small town, they later discovered that these same floors had featured in a few of her in-laws’ wedding photos, taken when the photographer lived in the home – what are the chances!)
The original timber veneer kitchen stayed—too gorgeous to change. Bathrooms and the laundry, however, got the full luxury treatment, with underfloor heating, custom vanities, stone benchtops, and thoughtful layouts. “You don’t have to sacrifice style for family-friendliness,” Nicole says.
Breathing new life into every corner.
Throughout the renovation, they embraced the home’s natural assets. Morning sun streams into the kitchen for that perfect first coffee. High north-facing windows keep the vaulted ceiling bathed in daylight—so much so that lights are rarely needed during the day.
They updated gardens, refinished the slate porch and fireplace, installed new LED lighting, and added modern comforts like zoned heating and cooling, new appliances, and even an upgraded studio/shed with cabinetry and a workspace.
The result? A home that feels true to its original design principles while offering everything a modern family could want!
Nicole’s key takeaways:
Nicole credits much of her confidence and know-how to what she learnt in the course.
“It wasn’t just the course—it was the community,” she explains.
“Having access to knowledge, resources, and other women who had been there before made all the difference. I went into the renovation knowing what questions to ask, how to approach trades, and how to make design choices that aligned with our vision and budget.”
For other women looking to take on a similar project, she has this advice:
- Trust your gut – If a home speaks to you, explore the possibility.
- Think holistically – Small renovations can often snowball, so consider the big picture from the start.
- Don’t skimp on details that matter – Features like underfloor heating may seem like a splurge, but they’ll add daily comfort and long-term value.
- Lean on a community – Having a network of experienced renovators can save you time, money, and stress.
A home full of stories – ready for its next chapter.
Life is now taking Nicole and her family in a new direction, and they’re passing the keys to someone new. “We’ve loved this home. It’s been wonderful for our growing family—two kids now running amok—but we’re excited to see it bring joy to someone else,” Nicole says.
From the exposed beams to the sunlit mornings, from its history to its now-modern luxuries, 1 Balmoral Street is proof of what can happen when design, heart, and community come together.
You can check out the property on realestate.com.au here. Wishing Nicole and her family the best of luck in their next adventure!
SUMMARY OF RENOVATION:
– Complete bathroom x2 and laundry renovations
– Replaced bathroom and laundry windows
– New garden beds (redgum sleepers), plants, roses, completed hedge at rear of house
– Refinished slate on porch, foyer and fireplace
– New powerboard, all new lightswitches with dimmers, all new LED light fittings, new bedroom lights, new exterior lights (by electrician)
– All new plumbing to 2x bathrooms, laundry (by plumber)
– Removed carpet and stripped and finished solid tassie oak floorboards
– New underfloor insulation and draft proofing
– New electronic door lock
– Skirts, arcs, transitions as required
– Internal paint
– New oven
– New reverse cycle split-systems
– New window winders onto original timber windows
– Insulated, lined and added lighting, power outlets to studio/shed and custom cabinetry and workbench
– Exterior paint
GET THE LOOK:
Tapware, showerhead and bathroom fittings: Methven Aurajet AIO
Paint: Dulux Natural White walls
Roller blinds and curtains: Bedazzled Portland
Oven: Fisher & Paykel
Dining chairs: Jahroc Furniture Gallery
Armchairs: Norr11 Mammoth Chairs
Lounge Chairs: IMG Norway
Vintage chair: Tessa Chair
Linens and towels: Sheridan
Throw pillows: Kas Australia
Art: @bukuartnow Buku-Larrngay Mulka, @Artists_of_amplilatwatja
Roses: Treloar roses
