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Renovating this former dairy at 4 Bell Street, Brunswick, was a true family affair for owner-builder Scott Kennon of SK Projects.
Scott and his wife Sarah bought the unique property in 2017, right when they were expecting their second child.
‘We were completely taken by the unique square shape of the block, with the garden to the northern [boundary]. It’s bathed in sunlight throughout the day, across the seasons.’
Having already lived locally in Fitzroy North, the couple couldn’t resist the walkable lifestyle of the inner-city location, near Sydney Road and Lygon Street’s best restaurants and wine bars, alongside parklands and bike paths.
Plus, the home’s ‘incredibly solid’ triple-brick walls offered a unique canvas they could make their own with Scott’s extensive construction experience, and some help from his brother, award-winning architect Rob Kennon.
‘We share an office and have worked together on several client projects,’ Scott says.
‘I built his home in 2016, and we were lucky to have his expertise in designing this very personal project for our own family.’
Together, the brothers successfully reimagined the property to highlight the sizeable gardens that take up about half of the block.
Glass bi-folding doors allow direct access from the dining and living space into the outdoors, harnessing natural light and views across the brick-paved dining area, a freshwater swimming pool, and a lush lawn.
Inside, polished concrete floors and cream brick walls are paired with refined timber joinery for a contemporary and calming atmosphere. An attic is nestled upstairs, offering additional flexibility for use as a guest retreat, home office, or creative studio. It’s also all-electric, with heat pumps for hot water and solar panels for lower energy consumption.
‘Every detail was painstakingly considered, and the outcome is a highly functional home,’ Scott says.
‘Some of the more discreet features are subtle highlights, the heated concrete bench seat in the back room, a roaring fire in the winter and the drying cupboard in the laundry. One of Sarah’s favourite places is our bedroom, reading a book on our bed, looking out to the garden.’
The house has served the family well, seeing them through their early days with newborns, cots and highchairs, well into their current stage with three primary school-aged children who’ve loved playing in the backyard.
They say they’ll miss the convenience of ‘being amongst everything’ as they list the home for sale: ‘[It’s been] our own private sanctuary where we can tap in and out of the hustle and bustle.’
4 Bell Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056 is listed for sale with Luke Sacco and Peter Stephens from Nelson Alexander. It will go to auction on Tuesday March 31 at 6pm.
