Avondale Hall by Studio Beal

Preserving a historically rich home is an art form, and Vivienne Beal of Melbourne-based Studio Beal has clearly mastered this with Avondale Hall, a heritage residence located on a picturesque, tree-lined street in Melbourne’s Armadale.

Featuring Baltic pine floors, decorative fireplaces and ornate ceilings, this 800-square-metre dwelling stands as a time capsule, revealing the charm of a bygone era. Beal, the founder and principal of Studio Beal, emphasised the home’s historic features in the design. “It was imperative that we preserve and celebrate its history and character by approaching the renovation with respectful sensitivity. The project required a delicate balance of retaining original details while introducing modern elements to meet the needs of contemporary family living,” says the interior designer, who softened the design to make it feel as though these updates had always been part of the home.

Featuring Baltic pine floors, decorative fireplaces and ornate ceilings, this 800-square-metre dwelling stands as a time capsule, revealing the charm of a bygone era.

“The approach to materiality was to create a calm palette that sat softly within the space, using materials that exude warmth and richness,” explains Beal. “We selected decorative lighting, classic tapware and fireclay sinks, and contrasted the elegance of the period detailing with playful pops of colour, fabric skirts and checkerboard tiles to suit the young family.”

Beal incorporated timeless details such as shaker-style joinery, marble countertops, an old-world sisal stair runner and the original timber stairs, which were refinished to their former glory. She also preserved the original Baltic pine flooring. “These floorboards were in amazing condition, and replacing them would have felt like losing the home’s essence,” says Beal. “Instead, we carefully restored them to highlight the lightness of the pine, allowing the afternoon light from the north-facing backyard to flow into the front of the home.” To soften the proportions, she introduced linen curtains that evoke a sense of intimacy.

Sustainability was a key priority for Beal, achieved by preserving as much of the home’s historical character as possible.

While some designers might have opted for an open-plan layout for the common areas, Beal took a different approach. “We wanted to retain the individual rooms to help manage the daily chaos of a family with four young children,” she explains. The formal living room at the front was preserved as a parents’ retreat, while a child-friendly lounge was created at the rear, offering easy access to the backyard, lawn and pool. The kitchen remained in its original location, but Beal extended the workspace and storage for optimal form and function. “The stove was positioned in front of the original chimney breast, so we rebuilt the flanking wall to tuck in a pantry for appliances and open shelving, which created more functional counter space and allowed us to hide the morning breakfast mess behind closed doors,” says Beal. To create an earthy, cosy feel, she wrapped the kitchen in handmade ceramic tiles.

Sustainability was a key priority for Beal, achieved by preserving as much of the home’s historical character as possible. “The more we could honour the heritage and retain from the existing home, the more sustainable the build would be. Anything new that we added was selected for its durability and robustness. The design focused on period detailing that we knew would stand the test of time. This project not only enhances the grandeur of the original structure but also ensures it remains a cherished family residence for years to come.”

Interior design by Studio Beal. Build by Gladstone Building.