Renovating a 100-year-old character home is never for the fainthearted. When Jonathan and Paige Miles, owners of Innerspace, found this woefully treated heritage beauty in Subiaco, they dived headfirst in to the challenge of revitalising it.
The result sees the old and the new seamlessly combine for a home that is neither a pastiche of a heritage home or a modern new build. Rather, it is a timeless classic.
Living with their two young children in the barely habitable original home for three years, the couple dreamed of the possibilities and put a plan in to action. “We really focused on making the house timeless and resisted the urge to be too trend-driven with any permanent features,” explains Jon. “The house is very liveable, which is the hardest thing to plan, and that’s where having a great architect really paid off.”
Situated on a large block with an awkward subdivision to contend with, they enlisted architect Greg Davies and Subiaco Building Company to help realise their desire to create a beautiful home. It needed to retain all the charm and character of the original, combined with a new light and airy, modern aesthetic.
As a result of working with such an old home, unexpected challenges presented themselves throughout the build including uneven floors, ceilings that were falling down, and unsecured footings. However, as with most things in life, persistence paid off and it was well worth it to see their vision through.
The floor stain took several attempts to achieve the perfect hue, and it’s in the finishing details where we see Jonathan and Paige’s passion for interiors and design really shine. From top of the range Miele appliances and a Statuetto Marble splashback in the kitchen to herringbone marble mosaics in the bathrooms, no fine detail was spared.
Beautifully curated furniture pieces from the likes of Flexform, Herman Miller, Missana, Pedrali, Thonet and Ethimo sit alongside the couple’s eclectic selection of artwork that they have lovingly collected over their 15 year marriage. A true reflection of the Miles’ passions, their love of quality craftsmanship and original design, the home sees statement pieces of furniture and artwork beautifully blend with original and individual pieces collected on their travels overseas.
It is, however, a home that is to be lived in and enjoyed. Friends are encouraged to drop by, while spontaneous poolside gatherings have been known to run long into the night. Jonathan and Paige believe a home should tell the story of the people who live there, and they have created a home that tells the tale of their family, friends, travels and years of happy memories.
As for Jon and Paige’s favourite part of the home? “I’d say the kitchen, dining and living space,” says Jon. “The open space spans the old and new parts of the home, and the intricate double height ceiling makes it feel so light and open. It’s where we gather as a family and where we entertain.
As cliché as it sounds, it’s the heart of the home.”
Photography styling created by Lisa Quinn-Schofield of Featherhorse.
Innerspace
innerspacewa.com.au
Greg Davies Architects
gregdaviesarchitects.com.au
Subiaco Building Company
subiacobc.com.au