135 Raglan Road

North Perth WA 6006

ARCHITECT HELEN MARCHESANI – USED TO DESIGNING MOSMAN PARK HOMES WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS - WAS CONVINCED THAT THE HOUSE HAD “GOOD BONES” AND WAS VERY ENTHUSIASTIC TO BE INVOLVED IN THE RENOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE 100 YEAR OLD COTTAGE.
BUILDER ERIC BUSH WAS APPOINTED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT BECAUSE OF HIS SPECIALIST SKILLS IN SOURCING AND REUSING ORIGINAL MATERIALS. AS A RESULT THE HOME HAS BEEN COMPLETED USING APPROXIMATELY 85 TO 90% RECYCLED MATERIALS.
THE PLANS WERE DRAWN AND A DECISION WAS MADE TO REMOVE THE ADDED “LEAN-TO” ROOMS (LAUNDRY SLEEP-OUT AND DINING ROOM) OF THE HOME. ONLY THE ORIGINAL 3 ROOMS OF THE SETTLERS COTTAGE WERE PRESERVED.
THE OUTCOME OF THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN ARCHITECT AND BUILDER IS A HOME THAT WHILE COMPLETED WITH THE ORIGINAL STYLE IN MIND HAS A SURPRISINGLY CONTEMPORARY AND WARM FEEL. THE OWNERS FOCUS IS ON EASY MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION OF THE ORIGINAL CHARACTER HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, THE RESULT IS ORIGINAL AND ARCHITECTURAL.
THE KITCHEN HAS CLEAN LINES AND PRACTICAL LAYOUT FOR AVID ENTERTAINERS WITH LIMITED TIME. A BREAKFAST BAR BENCH, DRAWS GUESTS IN SO THAT THE HOST DOES NOT FEEL LEFT OUT OF THE ACTION. GLASS WALLS, DOORS AND INTERNAL WINDOWS HAVE BEEN USED TO ENSURE THAT THE VIEW TO THE OUTSIDE AND CITY SKYLINE IS NEVER OBSCURED FROM THE KITCHEN. THIS FEATURE ALONG WITH THE HIGH CEILINGS HAS BEEN PURPOSELY USED TO ENHANCE THE FEELING OF SPACE.
THE OPEN PLAN LIVING AND DINING AREA MAKES THE DOWNSTAIRS AREA THE HEART OF THE HOME.
THE SECOND STORY BEDROOM AND BATHROOM HAS BEEN DESIGNED WITH VIEWS, SPACE AND LIGHT IN MIND. LARGE WINDOWS AND MORE GLASS DOORS AND WELL AS A RAKED CEILING IN THE BEDROOM HAVE MANAGED TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL. THE OWNER REQUESTED THE ADDITION OF A SMALL GALLEY KITCHENETTE FOR BREAKFAST MAKING FACILITIES WITH SPACE FOR A SMALL FRIDGE SO THAT THE AREA COULD BE SELF-CONTAINED AND PROVIDE A USEABLE RETREAT AREA FROM GUESTS AND OR CHILDREN.
A NEW FRONT ENTRANCE TO THE HOME HAS BEEN CREATED TO IMPROVE THE FLOW THROUGH THE HOUSE AND CREATE TWO LARGE DOUBLE BEDROOMS DOWN STAIRS. THE BUILDER HAS MANAGED TO MAKE THE NEW ENTRY SEAMLESS THE ONLY HINT TO THE HOMES PAST, IS THE ORIGINAL ENTRANCE DOORS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT FOR NOSTALGIC REASONS. INSIDE THE ENTRY IS A GENEROUS HOME OFFICE SPACE AND LOBBY.
THE 4TH BEDROOM AT THE REAR OF THE HOME WAS CREATED WITH A MULTI-PURPOSE IN MIND. FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS AND GLASS DOORS ALLOW THE ROOM TO BE USED ALSO FOR A PLAY ROOM OR ARTIST’S STUDIO. THE GLASS MAKES THE ROOM FEEL OPEN TO THE LIVING AREA BUT SEPARATE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE MESS OF PLAY OR ART AWAY FROM DAILY ACTIVITIES.
A QUIRKY EXTRA TO THIS HOUSE IS THE HAND BUILT CELLAR THAT MAINTAINS A PERFECT WINE KEEPING TEMPERATURE IN SUMMER AND WINTER. THIS ROOM WAS PAINSTAKINGLY PRESERVED BY THE OWNER, CAUSING THE NEED FOR SOME CRAFTY DESIGNING BY THE ARCHITECT AND SMART ENGINEERING BY THE BUILDER SO THE FEATURE WAS NOT LOST.
THE DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN A LABOUR OF LOVE BY ALL INVOLVED AND AS A RESULT THE OWNER HAS RECEIVED COMMENDATIONS AT COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR PRESERVING AND IMPROVING THE OLD BUILDING INSTEAD OF DEMOLISHING.