I don’t know about you, but my curiosity always gets the better of me when I meet someone seemingly quite young (I’m talking mid-to-late twenties), who has managed to enter the elusive Melbourne property market. Especially in a tightly held suburb like Fitzroy North. In the case of today’s super cute little renovated Victorian cottage belonging to landscape gardener Daniel Stray and his partner, coffee roaster and Seven Seeds cafe manager Kc Reynolds, the answer is more straightforward than you might expect. It’s all about starting early! Whilst his peers were gliding through the early years of university, or spending a gap year overseas, Daniel bought this then dilapidated little house when he was just 20 years old! Top effort.
Actually, an early start in the property market was never Daniel’s master plan. Initially saving to go overseas, it was Daniel’s Dad who spotted the house and encouraged him to buy it. ‘There is a house you should look at in North Fitzroy, its pretty rundown but it’s a good place to start’ were his words. And so, without too much forward planning, Daniel went to auction – and suddenly become a homeowner! ‘I think I was crazy, and it has been tough, but its been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made’ says Daniel in hindsight. ‘It’s been a real journey buying, living and renovating with Kc, but one I’ll never forget’.
Daniel purchased his house as a mouldy, un-renovated weatherboard 7 years ago, and has been living here with Kc and Poppy, their Staffordshire terrier for the past 5 years. It wasn’t until 2 years ago, though, that the pair decided to undertake major renovations. They engaged local architects Pleysier Perkins to essentially design a new home behind the Victorian facade of the property, also adding a modest second level addition, comprising master bedroom, bathroom and adjoining outdoor deck. ‘We kept the front facade and boundary wall of the original home, and from there we built a light filled modern industrial home within’ says Daniel, whose brief to the architects was ‘to be able to see outside greenery from every window’. Pleysier Perkins designed the exterior, and together with Daniel they collaborated on the interior layout.
The build itself was a family affair, undertaken with Daniel’s brother Ben Stray and his business partner Tim Harman of Deco Carpentry. With Daniel doing much of the work himself, and other family members pitching in, all up, the build took approximately 10 months to complete. Daniel is modest but noticeably chuffed with the results – and I would be too! Building your own home is a pretty epic achievement for a bloke who’s yet to turn 30.
Daniel’s favourite part of the house is the ceiling in the kitchen / living space, which was inspired by old factory ceilings, and created using recycled Australian hardwood beams and recycled flooring. He and Kc also love their little garden, where they grow their own herbs and veggies (limes, oranges, lemons, kale, spinach, rockets and lots more!). At a more basic level, and with their pre-renovation days still in clear memory, Daniel and Kc are also still very thankful to have a draught-free, warm house – and no more mould!
When the build was complete, Daniel and Kc found themselves compelled to pare back their belongings, to achieve a more considered, minimal look. ‘Our old house was full of old vintage industrial knick knacks and collectables, so moving in to the newly renovated house was a good chance for us to cull a lot of our things’ says Kc. Shelving in the house was kept to to a minimum – ‘because we know that the more shelves we have, the more we want to fill them’ the pair confess!
‘At the moment I think we are going through a style change’ says Daniel. ‘We used to buy a lot of stuff from op shops and auctions, only to change our minds and try and get rid of it a year later’ he explains. ‘These days we are trying to be a bit more restrained, and focus on more of a Danish / Industrial look, with pieces that are timeless and we know we’ll love forever’. Favourite acquisitions include the Danish Parker style kitchen table – which, unbelievably, Kc won over a coin flip! Other much loved treasures include Daniel’s collection of original French vintage posters, purchased from Tarlo and Graham and Galerie Montmartre.
Huge thanks to Daniel and Kc for sharing their sweet little pad with us today!
Gorgeous! Would love a garden/courtyard profile as well. The mix of plants in the front is superb. Is that a Boab tree? Can we have the details please?
How was the recycled floor made? Is it concrete?
What a lovely house with so much character!!
Individual and homely. Lovely!
Excellent renovation, love all the white subway tiles. Weirdly, I have exactly the same geological survey map from the 60’s that I got from my dad. It graced his office wall at the department of natural resources in Canberrra in the 70’s. Not many of them around!
I love absolutely everything about this house! Just divine! x
We’re mid-reno on our fitz nth terrace at the moment. I can only hope it turns out as gorgeous as this place. Well done Daniel & Kc!
The concrete floors, the wall panelling, the kitchen cabinetry, the staircase (!!!!!), the vintage posters… This house is pretty much a dream to me. Oh and the car out the front – Can’t deal. Too fabulous.
LUVVV the herringbone struts
Really lovely house… beautiful finish and attention to detail throughout. And still so much character in the furnishings and styling whilst keeping it minimalist. Huge kudos too for being so hands on with all the renovations – a magnificent family effort. It must make the results all the more satisfying. But… let’s get real on the how to buy a house in a super trendy inner city Melbourne suburb before you’re 30 suggestion. I have been very familiar with the North Fitzroy property market for over 15 years and I find it nigh on impossible to believe a 20 year old could have bought into that market without some significant help, even 7 years ago, no matter how run down the house was.
Absolutely stunning!. Best ‘accessory’ would have to be that gorgeous staffy.
Gorgeous! x
HUZZAH Daniel and Kc!! I can hardly believe this is the same home I delivered your posters to over the years. What you have created is truly beautiful. I can attest to the somewhat rundown state the home was in – not that you would know by what you see today. So glad all your hard work has paid off, and even happier you finally have the perfect walls to hang your posters. Lovely people, dream home.
Fantastic to see the next generation of the Stray brothers doing so well. Great house!
Nice renovation – I love the white tiles and the vintage posters too. But I especially like the signature Cussonia paniculata in the front garden!!
Nice one guys, it came up a treat!
Is the bathroom cabinet form ply as well? I really want my bathroom vanity made from form ply but I keep getting told it will chip, it will start looking dull, etc etc by builders and cabinetmakers…I’m curious as to whether its a specific form ply and if it has been sealed?
Amazing, all that hard work has definitely paid off! x
Just lovely- love the natural light throughout. I too owned a place in my mid twenties but it was more Ikea, op-shop, hand me down chic as opposed to this beautifully styled pad!
Firstly a huge thanks to TDF how lucky we feel to have been featured today !
Thanks for everyone’s lovely comments it means a lot to us how well it’s been received.
@ the yellow dance spot. The tree in the front garden is a called a cassonia paniculata also now as a Sth African cabbage tree.
@ Bonnie The form ply in the kitchen is standard non structural form ply. I love things to as natural as possible so chips scratches and wear doesn’t bother me. However there’s been no chips or scratches yet! Some of the doors are slightly twisted as it’s not cabinetry grade ply, but I love it !
Hey Dan and kc awesome blog the place is looking great hope all is well say Gday to poppy for me Cheers Robdog
It is with the highest integrity to people, pets and personal space that sets this young couple
on such a path. Humble high achievers in their daily lives they deserve to be
congratulated in this way . A great family and team effort from all the people who so willingly
gave of their time to make this beautiful home a reality. Thank you
Well done Dan and Kc it is a joy to behold xx
Thank you Daniel!
Thanks Daniel!
I know I have said this before but I would like to congratulate the both of you on your stunning home. As a local agent it is refreshing to see how you have transformed the home whist retaining the historic street appeal. A job well done!!!!
Magic, what clever people. I love it.
Well done to both of you,worked so hard to produce a work of art,with incredible respect for the neighbours,it should be put up by the city of yarra as a brilliant example of urban renewal
congratulations
phil
I love the proportions of the subway tile. Do you know who makes them?