Stephanie and Matthew Crosara purchased their Brunswick West home to celebrate entering a new chapter of their lives as parents. The property offered everything they sought in a family residence, including a spacious lot, a period-style facade, a central location, and rear access. However, the interior spaces had remained untouched for several decades and desperately needed a complete renovation.
The couple assembled what they describe as a "dream team" to tackle the transformation, including builder Jobe Homes and building designer DOOD Studio. The ambitious project took 10 months to complete and entirely transformed the rundown property. While not formally hired for the project, Stephanie's architect sister, Natasha Nardella of Nardel Architects, proved invaluable throughout the renovation process. "There is so much of her in this house I think it got to the point where she would screen my calls because she just knew it was another house question!" Stephanie recalls.
The renovation involved essentially gutting the existing structure while preserving only the facade and basic framework. All internal walls were relocated to maximize space, allowing for a new laundry room and an enlarged main bathroom within the original footprint. The floor plan was extended sideways to create a larger master en-suite bathroom. To honor the home's heritage, period features in the front rooms, including skirting boards, architraves, and cornices, were carefully recreated to match the original design.
A new extension houses the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area that seamlessly connects to the backyard deck. "We added large windows along the entire back wall of the house to let in as much light as possible, and join our indoor and outdoor areas," Stephanie explains. The interior design philosophy centered on creating robust, low-maintenance foundations softened with texture, subtle colors, and curved furniture elements.
When selecting materials, the couple made strategic choices to balance aesthetics with practicality. Despite initial concerns about choosing concrete flooring, Stephanie found that incorporating various textures through furniture selections warmed up the space effectively. "When choosing the concrete flooring, I was worried the house would feel cold, however, because we chose lots of different textures with the furniture, it warmed it right up," she notes. Laminate was chosen over solid timber or veneer for joinery to control costs and future-proof the home against the wear and tear of young family life. "You can't even tell the difference," Stephanie observes.
The home's entertaining capabilities were a major priority for the couple, who frequently host gatherings. Visitors consistently comment on how calming, airy, and peaceful the space feels. The pool area serves as a central entertainment hub, featuring its own outdoor kitchen, shower, sauna, and bathroom located in part of the converted garage. "We have two dishwashers, two ovens, multiple sitting areas all because we love to host dinners, friends, Christmases, and birthdays!" Stephanie enthusiastically shares.
The transformation has created a sanctuary that supports the family's lifestyle, including four-year-old Willa and another child on the way. Stephanie reflects on the daily impact of their renovated home, saying, "Each morning when I start my day, I feel a sense of calm and the sun gives me energy to start my day positively." The couple feels deeply grateful for the space they've created, viewing it as more than just a house. "It has been a new beginning and sunshine for us. We feel very blessed and proud of our home," Stephanie concludes.
