Fitzroy North House by Cera Stribley and Alessia Ferrarini Design Studio

An inviting Melbourne home, Fitzroy North is tailored to the needs of designer Alessia Ferrarini and her growing family. Combining warm, minimalist interiors by Ferrarini’s eponymous design studio with structural work by Cera Stribley Architects, the project sees a traditional terrace house reimagined.

“When my partner and I purchased the property a few years ago, it was in a state of disrepair,” says Ferrarini. “Nevertheless, we were drawn to the unique character of the small terrace house nestled in the urban landscape of Fitzroy North.” The design brief required restoring the original brick facade – which dates back to the Victorian era – and adding to the rear of the home a first-floor addition, barely visible from the street. Optimising space on a narrow lot, the addition offers an expansive view of the local area.

Inspired by Ferrarini’s Italian heritage, the interior design expresses admiration for artistry and craftmanship, featuring decor with a strong sense of narrative.

Internally, Fitzroy North celebrates the aesthetic signature of Alessia Ferrarini Design Studio. Neutral tones enhance the tactility of natural stone, Venetian plaster, exposed concrete and natural timber elements, establishing a visual warmth that speaks to a Mediterranean influence. Inspired by Ferrarini’s Italian heritage, the interior design expresses admiration for artistry and craftmanship, featuring decor with a strong sense of narrative. “I like to envision my home as a personal gallery, showcasing a curated collection of iconic design pieces, handmade objects and art that I have been collecting over the years,” says Ferrarini.

On the ground floor, the children’s bedrooms and a bathroom are located towards the front of the house, while the kitchen and main living area flow out to the rear. “In designing my own home, the most important thing for me was distributing the spaces in a way that they were functional, comfortable and enjoyable for our young family,” says Ferrarini. “With young kids, most of the time at home is spent in the kitchen, living room and the garden during summer, and I wanted to ensure these places were combined in a big, open ambience to enjoy meals, playtime and entertainment.” The new addition encapsulates the primary bedroom, walk-in-wardrobe, main bathroom and workspace.

A product of architectural restraint, the addition provides a joyous living environment while subtly responding to the surrounds.

A product of architectural restraint, the addition provides a joyous living environment while subtly responding to the surrounds. Across the top floor, ceilings are 3.3 metres high, and the resulting volumes receive natural light through full-height windows and skylights. Instead of tall screens, which would form a visual imposition, a framed facade protects the internal spaces from neighbouring views. “Cera Stribley’s design of the framed facade incorporates simple yet thoughtful shapes and a lighter colour palette for the brick cladding, giving the house a contemporary aesthetic that blends nicely with the existing, traditional terrace house,” says Ferrarini.

Reconciling the spatial needs of a family and the limitations of a site, Cera Stribley and Alessia Ferrarini Design Studio produce a well-measured outcome that is a pleasure to inhabit. “Our home is a reflection of our lifestyle, our passions and the things we love.”

Architecture by Cera Stribley. Interior design by Alessia Ferrarini Design Studio. Build by Ferne Built.