The Design Files: An 1870s home restored to its former glory

Who: Cara Bodsworth, of raincoat label Paqme, husband Cliff and their children, Bella and Clifford

What: An 1870s home restored to its former glory

Where: Armadale, Victoria

When Cara Bodsworth and her husband Cliff first purchased their home, it was a mirror of the property next door.

Both were built in the 1870s, in a combination of Victorian Italianate and Queen Victoria styles. However, over the years, a series of renovations saw the loss of many original features. Bodsworth enlisted the expertise of Charlie Inglis, of Inglis Architects, to restore the home to its former glory.

The first port of call was to knock the back off the home, which Bodsworth describes as a “very tired ’60s renovation” and introduce a new kitchen, laundry, lounge, upstairs bathrooms, bedrooms and playrooms.

Period features were reinstated and restored where possible. Even the woodwork detailing around the verandah has been re-made to replicate the original.

Bodsworth has many favourite treasures on display throughout the home. The most precious piece is a panel from her wedding dress, handmade (including hand-painted flowers in six different shades of pink) by her mum and a family friend, which now sits as an exquisite installation in the dining room.

Other special corners of the home include the terrazzo en suite, and unique antique coat rack and artworks by Pietro Capogreco.

Natural light spills through the home, thanks to the architect’s renovations, and stainless steel benches have transformed the kitchen and laundry.

Bodsworth says the “stove, sink and bench are one seamless piece of steel” and the forgiving surface means the “kids can paint on the bench, roll pasta, and spill whatever without worrying”.

Meanwhile, thanks to her husband’s plumbing supply business, Navi, all of the kitchen and bathroom hardware is on point.

The Armadale location is one the couple had been researching for a while, as they loved the “schools, parks, cafes and shops in the area”.

Initially unable to afford what they loved, she searched for the “worst house in the best street.” With this loving transformation and restoration now complete, it’s safe to say that description is no longer accurate.