The Art of Renovating in Phases
with DevelopHer Anna Crawford

DEVELOPHER AND CREATIVE DIRECTION  Anna Crawford

LOCATION  Kew East, Victoria

BUILDER: Crawford Building

BUILDING DESIGN: Levan Design

INTERIOR DESIGN: Dita Studio

PHOTOGRAPHER Spacecraft Media

When Anna Crawford first moved into Hale Cottage with her husband, Jason, and their two young boys, she knew it was going to be a journey. The house wasn’t quite the home they needed but instead of diving into a massive renovation all at once, transformed their home over several years—one phase at a time.

“It’s been a long process,” Anna recalls. “We’ve lived in this home for five years, and nothing has been easy and fast with this one.” Life, family needs, and even lockdowns played their part, but for Anna, renovating in stages wasn’t just about practicality—it became an art form.

If you’re looking to take on a renovation project in phases, here are some of Anna’s insights and practical tips to help you through the process.

The Beauty of Slow Renovations

From the start, Anna and Jason knew they were in for a big project. Built in 1926, the house had good bones and was full of charm, but their growing family needed more space and a layout that worked better for everyday living.

“We didn’t think it was going to take this long,” Anna admits, laughing. “It wasn’t the plan at all to start with. But after we moved in, life happened— Covid lockdowns, budget changes, you name it.” Instead of letting those hurdles get in the way, they made the most of the time, refining their plans and adjusting as their family’s needs changed.

Take Away – Give Yourself Time to Refine Your Vision

Renovating in phases allows you to live in the space and understand how it functions. Take your time to refine your design as your needs evolve. Don’t feel pressured to make every decision upfront—let the home speak to you as you live in it.

Prioritise What Matters Most

One of the key strategies Anna used in her phased renovation was focusing on the areas that would bring the most value to her family. Before they even tackled the interior, they installed a pool and started on the landscaping. “We knew we wanted the pool, so we put it in early,” Anna explains. “We’ve had so much joy from it—it’s been a place where the boys could play, and we could relax, even though the rest of the house wasn’t finished.”

By tackling the pool and outdoor space first, Anna and Jason were able to create a functional area they could enjoy right away, making the long renovation process more bearable.

“While we were waiting to finish the extension, we turned the unfinished backyard into a basketball court for our older son,” Anna adds. “It wasn’t permanent, but it worked for us at the time.”

Take-away: Focus on Creating Usable Spaces Early

If you’re renovating in phases, focus on the areas that will add immediate value to your daily life. Outdoor spaces, kitchens, and living areas can be great places to start, giving your family functional zones to enjoy while the rest of the project takes shape.

“We wanted the home to be liveable and fun, even in the in-between stages. ”

Adapting to Life Changes

Living in a home while renovating means constantly adapting to the changing needs of your family. When Anna and Jason first moved in, their two boys shared a small bedroom. But as the boys grew, their needs changed, and Anna adjusted the renovation plans to accommodate them.

“We created a third bedroom after a couple of years so our oldest son could have his own space,” she says. “It meant compromising on our kitchen and living space for a while, but it was worth it. He needed his own room, and that made a big difference.”

For Anna, renovating wasn’t just about creating beautiful spaces—it was about building a home that worked for her family at every stage. And as any parent knows, those needs can shift quickly.

Take-away: Design with Flexibility in Mind

If you’re renovating in phases, think about how your family’s needs might change in the future. Consider creating flexible spaces that can be adjusted as your family grows, like multipurpose rooms or easily convertible layouts. This will allow your home to adapt without requiring major structural changes later on.

Keeping the Charm

One of the most beautiful aspects of Anna’s renovation journey is how she managed to retain the character of Hale Cottage while modernising it to fit her family’s needs. The home, which had recently been heritage listed, presented its fair share of challenges, but Anna embraced them.

“There are these little stained-glass windows in the bedrooms that tell the story of the house,” Anna shares. “I couldn’t bear to get rid of them, even though they didn’t really match anything else when we first moved in.”

While some of her neighbours in similar homes opted to remove these historical features before they were heritage listed, Anna saw their charm and designed around them. “I’m connected to the history of the house,” she says. “I worked to design the space in a way that kept that history alive.”

This thoughtful approach allowed Anna to create a seamless blend between the old and new, honouring the home’s past while building a modern extension that met her family’s needs.

Take-away: Retain the Character of the Home

When renovating in phases, take the time to appreciate the existing charm of your home. Incorporate original features into the design whenever possible, and let the history of the house guide your choices. This will help maintain a sense of continuity and authenticity.

“I’m proud of how we’ve really made this house work for us as we’ve grown and changed.”

The Final Result: A Home with Heart

After five years of hard work, Hale Cottage is a home that perfectly balances history, family life, and modern design. From the walnut cabinetry that ties the new extension to the original home, to the carefully curated spaces for her boys, Anna’s phased renovation has resulted in a home that truly works for her family.

“It’s funny because some of the greatest memories were when we were living in just two bedrooms and no extension yet,” Anna reflects.

For Anna, renovating in phases wasn’t just a necessity—it was a journey that allowed her to craft a home full of love, history, and thoughtful design.

Congratulations on the recent sale of Hale Cottage Anna! It’s no surprise that it didn’t take long for this dream home to get snapped up – see listing here.

You can listen to our podcast episode with Anna here.

👉🏼 Feeling inspired by DevelopHer Anna’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.