Retro Revival Renews Classic Brick Home
Cetti Wearmouth, founder of Tiano Studio, led a renovation of a 1975 brick house in Melbourne, aiming to preserve its modernist character while brightening the interior.
Renovation goals and design challenges
The owners moved in 16 years ago and wanted a fresh look that respected the original style. The home featured exposed brick walls, a flat roof, timber‑lined ceilings and large windows—typical of the era’s modernist sensibility. “It had strong ’70s vibes but needed some reimagining,” Wearmouth said, noting that many rooms felt dark and the layout ignored the surrounding surroundings.
The most difficult part was the main living area and the kitchen, which was the smallest room in the original floor plan. Builders Demardi and designer Michael Tucker were brought in to expand the space while retaining as much of the existing fabric as possible.
Construction details and material choices
The extension added a 20‑square‑metre living zone between the east wing and the children’s bedroom wing. According to Demardi director Anthony De Melis, “Some original feature brick walls needed to be either removed, rebuilt, extended, or refinished.” The team recycled many bricks and sourced second‑hand bricks that matched the original, blending them where visible and using them in hidden areas.
A new skillion roof replaced the flat one, allowing clerestory windows that flood the interior with natural light and frame the treetops. Timber boards line the new sloping ceiling, while silver travertine floors create a cohesive patterned base throughout the renovated sections.
The kitchen and walk‑in pantry were merged into a single volume that appears to “float in the centre of the room.” A single laminate finish runs across the island bench, banquette seat and other joinery, eliminating visible seams. This design also provides storage for the owner’s record collection.
Related: Selecting a Reliable well pump supplier and Choosing the Right submersible well pump
Custom coloured glass doors echo the retro aesthetic. The owners liked the feature enough to add a second glass door at the top of the stairs. “These were a fixture of the ’70s, and I remember them vividly because I grew up in a home where we had amber glass bottle‑style doors,” Wearmouth explained.
When demolishing the house, a buried amber‑tinted glass window was uncovered, confirming that the colour accent had historical roots. The owners sent a photo, prompting the team to incorporate the glass element as a nod to the original design.
While the renovation preserves the home’s brick identity, it introduces modern touches that improve livability.
The new roof, larger living area, and brighter kitchen together address the earlier issues of darkness and cramped spaces.
From a broader perspective, this project illustrates how careful material reuse and thoughtful design can bridge the gap between heritage preservation and contemporary comfort. By retaining key structural elements and selectively updating others, the renovation respects the building’s history while meeting today’s functional expectations.
They now enjoy a home that retains its 1970s charm but feels open, light‑filled, and suited to modern family life. The project demonstrates that a balanced approach—honoring original textures while introducing new, complementary features—can revitalize mid‑century homes without erasing their character.
