A Heritage Home Reimagined for Modern Family Living

At first glance, the original home on Como Street was full of charm — a classic Victorian façade, delicate fretwork, and the unmistakable presence of history. But behind the verandah, the home no longer supported the way its owners lived.

Disconnected rooms, compromised amenities, and limited natural light made everyday life feel constrained. The brief was clear: honour the heritage, but create a home that worked for modern family living — without the extension feeling imposed or out of place.

This was never about erasing the past. It was about building forward, respectfully.

Working Within a Heritage Overlay — Without Compromise

Many homes around Alphington sit under strict heritage controls, and Como Street was no exception. The challenge wasn’t simply approval — it was integration.

From the outset, the strategy was deliberate:

Retain and restore the original façade and key period elements
Ensure all new works were clearly secondary from the street
Allow the extension to express its own era, rather than mimic the old

The result is a home that reads authentic and intact from the street, while opening up dramatically once inside.

The restored frontage — crisp, balanced, and quietly confident — now anchors the home, setting the tone for what follows.

Old and New, Seamlessly Connected

Internally, the transformation is profound.

Where once the home felt compartmentalised and dim, it now unfolds into a light-filled, highly functional living environment. The original rooms remain intact at the front of the house, preserving scale and proportion, while the rear opens into a contemporary extension designed around how the family actually lives.

Rather than abrupt transitions, the join between old and new is handled with restraint:

Subtle shifts in materiality
Clean architectural lines
A neutral palette that allows form, light and texture to do the work

This approach ensures the extension feels considered, not dominant — a continuation of the home’s story rather than a departure from it.

A Modern Extension Designed for Everyday Life

The rear addition introduces a new heart to the home.

A generous open-plan kitchen, living and dining zone connects effortlessly to the garden, creating a space equally suited to family life and entertaining. Large expanses of glazing invite light deep into the plan, while maintaining privacy and comfort.

Key design outcomes include:

A sculptural yet understated kitchen with strong material contrast
A central fireplace anchoring the living space
Seamless indoor–outdoor connection without sacrificing warmth or intimacy

Every decision was made with longevity in mind — spaces that feel calm, durable, and adaptable as the family’s needs evolve.

Elevated Bathrooms and Functional Spaces

The bathrooms and utility spaces reflect the same philosophy: quiet luxury through detail.

The main bathroom retains a sense of heritage through proportion and restraint, while embracing contemporary finishes and performance. Clean lines, refined textures, and thoughtful lighting elevate these rooms beyond purely functional spaces.

The laundry and secondary areas were designed to work hard, without feeling utilitarian — practical, streamlined, and visually resolved.

A Design-and-Build Outcome That Respects the Home — and Its Owners

What makes the Como Street project successful isn’t just how it looks, but how it feels to live in.

This is a home that:

Respects its history without being constrained by it
Supports modern family life without overwhelming the original dwelling
Demonstrates how heritage overlays can be navigated thoughtfully, not fearfully

By managing both the design intent and the construction process, Dreamline Homes was able to ensure clarity at every stage — from planning and approvals through to execution and finish.

A Thoughtful Renovation in the Heart of Alphington

Como Street stands as a reminder that heritage homes don’t need to be frozen in time to be preserved.

With the right approach, they can evolve — quietly, confidently, and beautifully.

If you’re considering an extension or renovation to a heritage home in Alphington or surrounding suburbs, this project shows what’s possible when respect, restraint, and modern design work together.

Heritage Renovation & Extension in Alphington | Como St Project