Hidden Above a Violin Shop: From Run Down Apartment to Light Filled Home

by Erin Miller on February 15, 2026
Built-in bench seating in the dining area leads directly to a sunlit rooftop deck.

Have you ever wondered what’s happening above the shops on Melbourne’s busy streets? For one specialist violin store in Collingwood, Australia, the answer was a 15-year time capsule of a flat, tucked above the heritage facade of their business. Tsai Design has transformed the tired kitchen, living room, and bedroom into a modern, light-filled home that makes city living feel surprisingly spacious.

A Facade Preserved, A Rear Reimagined

While the shopfront retains its heritage charm, the real updates happen at the back. Diagonal black screens give the rear facade visual interest, while steps from the laneway guide you up to the front door. The new design respects the building’s history while adding contemporary flair.

The heritage facade remains intact, but diagonal black screens and laneway steps hint at the modern renovation within.
The heritage facade remains intact, but diagonal black screens and laneway steps hint at the modern renovation within.
The heritage facade remains intact, but diagonal black screens and laneway steps hint at the modern renovation within.
The heritage facade remains intact, but diagonal black screens and laneway steps hint at the modern renovation within.

Warmth and Flow in the Living Space

Inside, custom wood shelves wrap around the opening to the kitchen, creating a seamless flow across the cork flooring that unites the two areas. The living space feels bright and warm, a complete contrast to the dark, narrow layout that once defined the flat.

Custom wood shelves and flowing cork flooring create a warm, cohesive living and kitchen space.

A Kitchen Designed for Everyday Life

The kitchen looks out to the street and combines wood cabinets with leather handles, sage green walls, and a crisp white backsplash. It balances modern aesthetics with practical comfort, making cooking a pleasure rather than a chore.

Wood cabinets, leather handles, and sage green walls make the kitchen both practical and stylish.
Wood cabinets, leather handles, and sage green walls make the kitchen both practical and stylish.
Wood cabinets, leather handles, and sage green walls make the kitchen both practical and stylish.

Dining and Rooftop Access

At the other end of the living room, a dining area features built-in bench seating beside a large window. From here, stairs lead up to the wood rooftop deck, giving the couple a sunny spot to relax or entertain above the neighborhood.

Built-in bench seating in the dining area leads directly to a sunlit rooftop deck.
Built-in bench seating in the dining area leads directly to a sunlit rooftop deck.
Built-in bench seating in the dining area leads directly to a sunlit rooftop deck.
Built-in bench seating in the dining area leads directly to a sunlit rooftop deck.
Built-in bench seating in the dining area leads directly to a sunlit rooftop deck.

Bringing Light to Every Corner

A central atrium floods the stairs with natural light and provides a striking location for a pendant light installation. The design transforms what was once a dark, narrow space into a bright, inviting heart of the home.

The central atrium illuminates the stairs and becomes a feature with pendant lighting.

Bedroom Balcony Retreat

In the main bedroom, wood-framed glass doors open to a small balcony cleverly hidden behind horizontal slat panels on the facade. It’s a private outdoor spot perfect for morning coffee or quiet reading.

Wood-framed glass doors open to a discreet balcony behind slatted panels.

Bathroom That Shines

The skylight in the bathroom brings in natural light, highlighting wood-like tiles in the shower and grey tiles elsewhere. Even the smallest spaces now feel fresh, bright, and modern.

A skylight brightens the bathroom, accentuating wood-like and grey tiles.

Tsai Design’s renovation shows that even narrow, long Victorian flats above city shops can become functional, light-filled homes. From warmth in the kitchen to sunlight on the rooftop deck, this Collingwood home combines heritage charm with modern living.

Photography by Tess Kelly | Architect: Tsai Design | Builder: Sustainable Homes Melbourne