16 Altona Street, Kensington VIC 3031

When I purchased this partially renovated Victorian (circa 1890) back in 2005 as a young single professional, I never could have imagined the happiness, tranquillity, fulfilment and sense of ‘home’ this space would bring me.

I commenced (and lived through in the two front rooms!) the major renovation of the back half of the house in 2007. My vision was to create a modern and light filled space that I could entertain family and friends, that was functional over the longer term.  Of course, one of the things that attracted me to this house was its history and period features, and I was adamant I wanted to keep these features as a part of the renovation. I am so glad I invested in maintaining the old 3.2m ceilings in the living zone.  The sense of space this gives is amazing, however, somehow things still feel pretty cosy.  When I renovated the bathroom in 2014, despite the builders insistence I put in big modern tiles, I also decided to keep the old tiled flooring. I love the blend of old and new in a space that is now efficient and beautiful.

With a European background, cooking is in my bones, so I also had to have a large kitchen, with loads of storage and an abundance of bench space. This kitchen delivers – it’s practical, has a great oven, and you’ll find it’s the hub, where mates pull up a stool and chat to you while you cook, and you can get food out to the dining table or outside when eating al fresco quickly without missing out on any juicy conversation. You can also watch TV while you cook! Brilliant!

Another key aim of the renovation was storage – the house had no cupboards, save for the delightful 1940’s blue kitchen it had when I bought it. There can never be enough storage space in my view. I managed to pack those robes full of clothes, shoes and handbags. I wasn’t quite sure how to make room when my husband moved in.

My husband and I welcomed our son into the world in 2015, and the house took us into yet another chapter of our lives, and has seamlessly supported our young family. Keeping us snuggly warm in winter with quick heating and instant hot water, and cool in summer.  I can watch my son diving off the couch headfirst or playing in the courtyard from the kitchen. The spa I used to luxuriate in as a single girl has now become exceptionally functional as it’s my son’s favourite way to end a day. The separate laundry has been a blessing, shutting away washing noise from a sleeping baby, and storing away all of the things we seem to accumulate with little people in our lives.

The thing I love the most about this house is that it can go from being a no-fuss functional home to a classy entertainer with no effort. Swing open the French doors, fire up the BBQ, crack open the bubbles, and serve everything from the kitchen bench (whether it’s a stand up or sit down affair)!

This house has so much to offer, whatever your lifestyle, and I feel as though I am giving a precious  gift to its next owner.

I honestly cannot speak more effusively about the Kensington neighbourhood – it is so vibrant and ever changing, and everything you need is in walking distance. Whether its freshly baked sourdough bread from the organic bakery (Crumb), delicious gelato (1565), organic produce (The Boutique Grocer), the best coffee and brunch (The Premises, or Ascot Vale Food Store) or authentic pizza (Clay Oven) – it’s all on your doorstep. Our local doctor is gentle and kind, there is a great Osteo running excellent Pilates classes (Connect Osteo), and there are so many parks for kids to go nuts in or the Maribyrnong River to run along.

The thing I will miss the most about Altona Street is my community.  The street parties at Christmas. Watching the fireworks from the middle of the street on New Year’s Eve surrounded by neighbourhood families. The shouts and cheers from the park as local children play sport on a Saturday (think leather hitting willow). Bumping into parents’ group friends in the street and randomly going to coffee with the kids. Neighbours across the street bringing our bins in every week, year on year, and feeding the cat while we are away. Kensington is the place we call home.

I hope you enjoy living in this house as much as I have.  I will be leaving a little piece of my heart here, so please be kind with it.