When Beige Isn’t Invited to the Party –
Theresa’s Strategy for a Glow-Up with Soul

DEVELOPHER Theresa Hoogland @velvet_developments

LOCATION Pascoe Vale, Victoria

BUILDER @essendonbuilders

ARCHITECT @wardledesign

INTERIORS @buildhercollective

There are some properties that make you pause. When Theresa Hoogland first walked through the door at 2 Anderson Street in Pascoe Vale, she got that little flutter – the one every savvy renovator knows. “You know the one,” she laughs, “good bones, a massive backyard, and just enough heritage charm to make you say:

‘She’s got potential. Let’s glow her up.’”

And glow her up she did. Theresa saw more than a tired home – she saw the chance to create a single-level family sanctuary bathed in northern light, full of space, and brimming with personality. It’s that sharp eye for opportunity, and the courage to take it, that BuildHer Collective loves seeing in our members.

The Power of a Big Idea

Theresa’s first challenge was connecting the original house to a new extension without blowing the budget. Enter her design team Wardle, who dropped a concept so good it made everyone sit up: an internal light court garden with a three-metre window to link the spaces. “It brought in truckloads of light, gave us that lush greenery moment, and enabled us to value-manage the roofline,” she explains. “It looked hot on paper and now looks even better in real life. Zero regrets.”

That’s a huge takeaway for anyone embarking on a reno: the right design idea can deliver multiple wins – light, flow, and budget control – if you’re willing to think outside the square and collaborate early.

Injecting Personality into the Interiors

Theresa is known for her fun, vibrant style and this project was no exception.

“Beige was never invited to this party,” she jokes.

She didn’t have an exact vision, but she did have an unusual inspiration: a colourful glasses-cleaning cloth. “I showed it to the BuildHer Collective design team and they just got it,” she says. The result? An incredible feature kitchen and interiors that are bold, playful, and still practical.

It’s a great reminder for renovators that inspiration can come from anywhere – and that working with people who can translate your quirky ideas into a cohesive, buildable design makes all the difference.

Old Meets New, Done Right

One of the standout successes of 2 Anderson Street is how seamlessly the heritage front and the contemporary rear flow together. Theresa reinstated original mouldings, ceiling roses and fretwork up front to keep the charm, then let the extension become a soaring, light-filled sanctuary.

“We didn’t bulldoze history, we gave it a facelift and let it shine,” she says.

This soft break between old and new is exactly what makes the home special – and it’s a smart approach for resale. Buyers love authentic character, but they also want modern convenience. When you honour both, you elevate the value of your property.

The Showstopper Space

Ask anyone who’s been through 2 Anderson Street and they’ll tell you the same thing: the kitchen-living-dining space is the showstopper. Curved terrazzo floors, endless timber flooring, a bespoke steel island bench, feature Kalamata joinery, and stainless steel benchtops that whisper “I’m chic, but I also cook.” It’s a space that’s as photogenic as it is livable.

Theresa’s approach here is a great lesson: invest in one or two hero zones that will wow potential buyers or valuers. It’s often more impactful (and profitable) than spreading your budget too thin.

The North-Facing Secret

If Theresa could take one element into every future project, it’s the north-facing orientation. “Saturday mornings in the extension are actual therapy,” she says.

“The sun comes in, bounces off every surface, and just says, ‘You did good, girl.’”

It’s a detail that costs nothing in materials but everything in thoughtfulness – and one more reason to get your design team involved early. Orientation and light can transform not just how a home feels, but its market appeal.

Designing for Real Life

Theresa hopes the next owners feel the love in every detail, from the family-sized laundry to the considered mudroom (“yes, we thought of school bags and muddy sneakers”), to the huge backyard where kids can go full zoomie-mode. “We didn’t build a show home. We built a soul home,” she says. “One with function, flair, and enough heart to raise a generation.”

It’s a reminder to anyone building or renovating for profit: function sells. Families want storage, flow, and easy maintenance as much as they want wow-factor. Nail both, and you’ve got a home that buyers (and valuers) will fight for.

With the Right Tools and Support, the Sky is the Limit!

Theresa credits BuildHer Collective with giving her the confidence and knowledge to take this project from idea to execution. “I joined The Collective to get my head around the building process,” she says. “Their course and community were fantastic.”

That’s what we’re all about – women lifting each other up, sharing the wins and the “wish I’d knowns,” and creating homes (and profits) we’re proud of.

2 Anderson Street isn’t just another renovation. It’s proof that with the right mindset, the right support, and a little bravery, you can turn potential into profit without losing the soul of a home. Theresa walked in and saw good bones, and she walked out having built something extraordinary!

And the best part? You can do it too.

👉🏼 Feeling inspired by Theresa’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.

2 Anderson Street is now on the market for one new lucky owner to call home! If you know someone that is looking for their dream home – this is it!

For Sale: @djf7 @eleanorcurrie @whitefoxrealestate

View the sales listing here.

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When Beige Isn't Invited to the Party - Theresa's Strategy for a Glow-Up with Soul