High-profile Australian couple Joey and Jane Scandizzo—Joey, an award-winning hairdresser to the stars and Jane, a model and one of the stars of Netflix’s reality series, Yummy Mummies—had spent five years calling a small Victorian cottage in Melbourne home. They had been dreaming of renovating the entire property and had identified a builder, Duobuilt, who introduced the couple to Pete Kennon of Kennon+. Upon meeting Kennon, they knew right away that he was the one to turn their dream home fantasy into a reality.

“We all met at their house over dinner and from there it developed into a really strong working relationship,” Kennon shares. To get to the core of what the couple was looking for, Kennon asked Joey and Jane many questions about their childhood and the homes that had served as influential spaces throughout their lives. "It became very clear that what they were looking for was a sense of permanence—something that looked like it had been there forever and something that felt like it would be there forever,” he shares.

Before: The Facade

“In my head, I always loved the thought of keeping the original part of the house," shares Jane. Kennon was totally on board with her ideas; however, the existing Victorian-style cottage had been updated over the years and lost its character as a result. Kennon+ set out to restore the facade to “as close to its existing condition as possible”. This meant sourcing the wrought iron, decorative filigree so typical of Australian Victorian cottages and crafting it to match the original detailing of the home. In addition, six different types of white paint were used to add depth to the detailing of the heritage facade. "It was beautifully considered and detailed by the builders on site," Kennon says.

After: The Facade

Before: The Back of the Home and the Backyard Pool

On top of wanting to preserve the history of their home, the Scandizzos were looking to create a solid and functional contemporary space that would increase their square footage and give the young family room to grow. This meant updating the two front bedrooms by turning them into a master bedroom suite and a study. Additionally, they needed to add on a second floor for the children's rooms. Kennon reworked the rear of the home, transforming it via a glass and concrete addition into a stunning contemporary great room that opens to the garden and swimming pool.

After: The Back of the Home and the Backyard Pool

The use of concrete is layered with meaning; it speaks to permanence and stability, and for Joey, it also adds an element of nostalgia. Reflecting on his childhood, he shares, “My father was a builder; he built our house. He made it solid so that it would last a lifetime. So, for me, coming from an Italian family, it was all about concrete and hard surfaces. The structure of this house had to be sound, it had to be strong, and it had to have the strength to last a lifetime.”

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In addition to the architecture, Kennon+ was also responsible for designing the bespoke storage space as well as selecting the furniture, furnishings, and artwork. "The Scandizzo House is very meaningful to me as it was the project that led to me opening my own practice," shares Kennon. "I also became close to the clients which meant that the handover was a special moment. It is a very rewarding experience to design a house for a young family, particularly when it's been a life-long goal. It’s a complex design with complicated details so I feel a great sense of delight each time I return to visit."

Before: The Kitchen

After: The Kitchen

Before: The Living Room

After: The Living Room

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Before: The Nursery

After: The Study

Before: The Master Suite

After: The Master Suite

Before: The Master Bathroom

After: The Master Bathroom

After: The Stairs

After: The Children's Rooms

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After: The Back View From the Garage

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Kennon+, Pete Kennon @petekennon @studio.kennon
Builder/General Contractor: Duobuilt @duobuilt
Structural Engineer: Meyer Consulting
Landscape Design: Form Landscaping
Photographer:` Derek Swalwell @derek_swalwell
Photoshoot Styling: Room on Fire @_roomonfire

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Before & After: A Victorian Cottage Expands With a Rear Addition to Accommodate a Growing Family