Behind the brick facade of this single-fronted North Melbourne is a surprising, clever and fresh renovation by Dan Gayfer Design. 

Prior to this makeover, this house was uninspiring and lifeless, with no decorative features to speak of. The clients (a downsizing couple) were seeking a complete overhaul of the interiors, as well as a comprehensive reworking of the entire house’s function. ‘Having relocated from their generous family home down on the Mornington Peninsula, the couple were prepared to compromise on space but not function,’ explains Dan. ‘This small statured home was to be as comfortable and accommodating as their previous.’ 

An extensive concept design process was firstly undertaken to understand how the owners would use every single inch of the home. ‘Creating spaces and elements larger than they needed to be was simply not an option,’ says Dan. Almost the entire ground floor was stripped away and redesigned as a result, with only the brick walls and location of the staircase remaining. 

Built-in furniture has been inserted at every opportunity to maximise space throughout. ‘The ability to design and somewhat slot the furniture in like a piece of puzzle enabled us to eliminate dead or wasted areas that compromised function, flow and interaction,’ explains Dan. A standout piece is the living room lounge – a custom-built element that simultaneously integrates shelving, a side table, daybed and casement windows. Dan says this piece was inspired by 1960s Australian architecture that often features built-in furniture, as well as the intensely workshopped creative solutions of contemporary Japanese architecture. 

The bedrooms are contained to the upper level of the home, with the largest leading to a street-facing rooftop terrace. This space has been designed for small social gatherings, with a steel pergola clad in timber battens creating beautifully dappled light. Custom furniture is again utilised in the form of an outdoor daybed that intertwines with the pergola and garden planters.

Despite its dedication to function, this home also contains flourishes of fun and frivolity throughout described by Dan as ‘exclamation marks.’ He says, ‘The aesthetic is elegant and carefully varied, albeit with a few strategically placed exclamation marks such as the mint tile in the powder room, burnt red carpet in the living room and the mosaic tile on the rear facade.’ 

With its attention to detail, high level of function, clever use of space and distinctive interior aesthetic, this house exceeds all expectations. 

See more Dan Gayfer Design projects here.