From Dark & Dated to Dream Home –
A Clifton Hill Renovation Story

DEVELOPHER  Rebekah Stone

LOCATION  Clifton Hill, Victoria

BUILDER: VW Building Projects

ARCHITECT: Alistair Nancarrow

STYLING: Arch Melbourne

PHOTOGRAPHER Spacecraft Media

What happens when you take a charming period home in Clifton Hill and give it a thoughtful, modern makeover? You get a jaw-dropping transformation that blends heritage charm with all the conveniences a busy family could want—without losing an ounce of character.

In this interview, DevelopHer Rebekah Stone shares with us how she turned a once-cramped and outdated space into a light-filled oasis. We’re talking soaring ceilings, clever storage solutions, and an expansive open-plan living area that is bathed in natural light. And let’s not forget the bold design choices—like a moody burgundy kitchen that pays homage to the home’s past while making a serious style statement.

From custom timber window seats with city views to a master suite that oozes luxury, this home proves that great design is all about balance—honouring the old while embracing the new. Whether you’re deep in a reno or just daydreaming about your future forever home, this story is packed with ideas, inspiration, and a reminder that finding your people (like our incredible community at BuildHer Collective) can make all the difference.

What did you see in the unrenovated home when you purchased it?

The thing that’s hard to put a value on is the location! It is secreted away in a quiet pocket of the highly sought-after suburb of Clifton Hill. Being a stone’s throw away from the city, public transport and fantastic schools, at the same time as being nestled on a stunning, tree-lined street is a rare find. Driving down the street on the way to our first inspection made it clear that this kind of home was priceless!

The bones of the original, period house were beautiful (if covered in dark pink paint!) and spoke to the romance of the era in which the home was built. The soaring ceilings, ornate cornices and hardwood floors are timeless and irreplaceable. They immediately captivated our hearts, and we haven’t looked back since.

We fell in love with the idea of renovating the home in a way that respected the integrity of the original architecture while ensuring it meets the needs of a modern family.

The fact that it was larger than single-fronted also hinted at the potential of the house to contain all the modern amenities and bells and whistles that make family living easy.

What are some of the moments that you love in this project, the areas you splurged on and it has paid off?

A highlight of the home’s transformation was the inclusion of an expansive, open-plan living area flanked by a gorgeous kitchen. It is a world away from the original extension, with natural light flooding in through large windows and a fantastic indoor-outdoor connection. The living space is backed by the intelligently designed walkthrough pantry, then mudroom and laundry.

We splurged on full height, timber sliding doors and low-line windows showing views to ornamental grasses and a rich outdoor garden. This completely immerses the inhabitants in their own private oasis.

Another little splurge that paid off in spades is the little hideaways and nooks, including the timber-wrapped window seat in the upstairs bedroom (with a slice of city views!), as well as pop out window in the upstairs study area. These are the areas that our kids gravitate towards and are just dreamy when they want a little space to dream, draw and read.

“The deep burgundy accents are a modern nod to the clay red that featured in the original fireplace tiles and candy-striped veranda roof.”

Which part of the build did you love the most?

The master suite is hard to go past! The redesign reconfigured what was previously a rabbit warren of little, awkward rooms with dropped ceilings into a luxurious, colour drenched master suite, complete with floor-to-ceiling drapes, walk-in robe and private ensuite. It really does feel like a sanctuary!

The kitchen is a brave choice when it comes to colour, tell us about this?

When choosing the interior finishes for this home, we wanted to create something a world away from white on white on white. Design choices that spoke to the uniqueness and character of the inhabitants of the home.

The choice of a deep burgundy colour is a purposeful statement in contrast to the neutral tones of the rest of the home. It was a modern nod to the clay red that featured in the original fireplace tiles and candy-striped veranda roof.

We felt that the rich colour exudes warmth and elegance and balances the classic elements of the home with a modern touch. The joinery colour is picked up by the burgundy veins in the stone benchtop and backsplash, making it feel cohesive and carefully considered.

Tell us a little about you? 

I’m a teacher, mum and irrepressible optimist who absolutely loves renovations and all things design. I have really found my people through BuildHer Collective.

If anyone is thinking of joining BuildHer or taking on their own project, what advice would you give them?

Don’t even hesitate! If you don’t join BuildHer, do whatever is necessary to find your people and community. This is hands down the best thing you can do for yourself (your sanity, your end product, and your problem-solving capacity) to ensure that you have a positive experience in the building and renovating world.

“We are so proud of how the thought put into a highly functional design streamlines everyday living and provides ample storage for busy households while maintaining the home’s aesthetic appeal. ”

Now listed on the market, we wish you the best of luck with the sale Rebekah! Take a look at the listing here.

GET THE LOOK:

Joinery: Laminex Kalamata 

Stone: RMS Traders Dessert Silver

Tiles: Earp Bros

Tapware: Yeomans Bagno Ceramiche 

Paint: Dulux natural white, grand piano and clay pipe

Flooring: Form flooring – engineered oak flooring in colour way ‘invisible’

👉🏼 Feeling inspired by DevelopHer Rebekah’s project and want to start your own, or thinking about renovating for a profit? We’d love to help you!

Book a chat with us today.