5 Barnett Street, Kensington VIC 3031

We had been renting around inner Melbourne for a few years, in dark, cold, drafty terrace houses. We wanted more light in our lives, a little veggie patch and some dirt so we could plant a tree.

In 2010 we started looking for a place to call our own. We are both pretty fussy, and we spent a LONG time looking for the perfect place. And maybe we watched too many episodes of Grand Designs, but we soon realised that we would just have to build it ourselves.

We were thrilled when we finally bought this block here in Barnett Street. Kensington is a great neighbourhood and everything is within easy walking distance; parks, café’s, shops and public transport. This site has the perfect northerly aspect, an off-street car space out the front and a secluded garden out the back. The perfect site just needed the perfect house. Accordingly, our architect rose to the challenge and delivered us this beautiful home in 2011.

The windows give us a great connection with the outside world. When we first walked into the house, we were impressed by the sky and roof top views from the big windows in every room. The icing on the cake was when we first saw the great views over the city.  And standing in the rear garden, we love the view of the house along the side when the birch trees cast their dappled light on the beautiful cedar cladding.

The house is light and minimal in style, and this minimalism is really successful because it has lots of built-in storage in every room.  The house suited us very well when it was just the 2 of us, and adapted beautifully to the arrival of our son in 2014. Something we really value is that the house soaks up all the winter sun, so it is really cosy and comfortable during winter. And in the summer time, the excellent cross flow ventilation lets the breeze come right in.

We have been collaborating with our architect to plan a second story addition (plans approved). Our plan was to use this new space as a guest bedroom or home office with ensuite bathroom. We think this could be a great addition to the house and this room would have an amazing view of the city.

At night the house has a warm glow. There’s a Danish word we like: “hygge”, which means to create a warm atmosphere and to enjoy good things in life with good people. This is the essence of the house and we have been lucky to share good times here with friends and family. We will be sad to leave this place, but we are sure she will bring just as much happiness to her new occupants as it has to us.