Inside a Federation Home Remodel That Blends Old and New

A Federation home in Australia is reimagined by Studiofour with a seamless blend of original details and modern living spaces filled with light and connection.

Studiofour has renovated an existing Federation home in Australia with a design that brings the original structure and new addition together as one continuous experience. Instead of separating old and new, the project draws from the home’s original craftsmanship and patterns, using them to shape everything from form to material choices. The result is a house where each space feels open, filled with light, and visually linked from front to back.

A classic Federation facade preserved with care, offering a timeless street presence that hints at the home’s heritage charm.

Preserving the Street Presence

From the outside, the original front of the house remains intact. Its familiar Federation character sets the tone, offering a clear connection to the home’s history before anything new unfolds behind it.

A classic Federation facade preserved with care, offering a timeless street presence that hints at the home’s heritage charm.

A Light-Filled Entry With Subtle Updates

Inside, the entry hallway introduces a quieter, updated palette. Minimalist lighting and wood flooring refresh the space while still respecting the home’s original details.

A bright entry hallway with clean lighting and warm wood floors that gently updates a traditional Federation interior.

A Sitting Room Framed by Original Details

The front sitting room highlights key features of the original home. Stained glass bay windows filter natural light, while a brick fireplace with built-in firewood storage and bookshelves creates a practical focal point.

Stained glass windows and a brick fireplace bring warmth and character to this inviting sitting room.
Stained glass windows and a brick fireplace bring warmth and character to this inviting sitting room.
Stained glass windows and a brick fireplace bring warmth and character to this inviting sitting room.

A Dining Room That Mirrors the Past

On the other side of the fireplace, the dining room continues the story. A built-in bench sits beneath another stained glass bay window, reinforcing the visual language of the front spaces.

A cozy dining nook with a built-in bench and stained glass window that reflects the home’s original design features.
A cozy dining nook with a built-in bench and stained glass window that reflects the home’s original design features.
A cozy dining nook with a built-in bench and stained glass window that reflects the home’s original design features.

A Private Corner in the Primary Bedroom

Back along the hallway, the primary bedroom includes direct access to a small private garden. This adds a quiet outdoor connection without stepping away from the overall layout.

A serene bedroom with direct garden access, offering a private outdoor escape just steps from the bed.
A serene bedroom with direct garden access, offering a private outdoor escape just steps from the bed.
A serene bedroom with direct garden access, offering a private outdoor escape just steps from the bed.
A serene bedroom with direct garden access, offering a private outdoor escape just steps from the bed.

A Bathroom That References the Original Home

In the en-suite, stained glass appears again. It acts as a visual link to the earlier rooms, tying the newer spaces back to the home’s origins.

Stained glass details in the bathroom add color and continuity, linking new spaces to the home’s heritage.

Opening Up to a Connected Living Space

At the end of the hallway, the home opens into a combined living, dining, and kitchen area. This space stretches across both the original structure and the addition, allowing light and air to move freely throughout.

An open-plan living area that blends old and new, filled with natural light and seamless transitions between spaces.

A Minimal Kitchen With Hidden Functionality

The kitchen keeps a minimalist look, while practical spaces are tucked out of sight. A mudroom and laundry sit behind it on one side, while a pantry and prep area are positioned on the other, keeping the main area uncluttered.

A sleek minimalist kitchen with hidden storage and functional zones that keep the space clean and efficient.
A sleek minimalist kitchen with hidden storage and functional zones that keep the space clean and efficient.
A sleek minimalist kitchen with hidden storage and functional zones that keep the space clean and efficient.
A sleek minimalist kitchen with hidden storage and functional zones that keep the space clean and efficient.

Indoor-Outdoor Living Made Easy

Sliding glass doors extend the living area out to a patio and backyard. This creates an easy connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, making the most of natural light and fresh air.

Large sliding doors open to a backyard patio, creating a smooth flow between indoor living and outdoor space.

A Bold Exterior Contrast

The new addition is wrapped in black metal siding, offering a sharp contrast to the bright interior and green lawn. This shift in material gives the extension its own identity while still linking back through shared details.

A striking black exterior contrasts with lush greenery, giving the modern addition a bold and clean look.
A striking black exterior contrasts with lush greenery, giving the modern addition a bold and clean look.

A Living Room Focused on Warmth

Back inside, the living room is kept simple, with attention centered on the fireplace. Built-in firewood storage adds both function and texture to the space.

A minimalist living room centered around a fireplace, combining warmth with simple, clean design.
A minimalist living room centered around a fireplace, combining warmth with simple, clean design.
A minimalist living room centered around a fireplace, combining warmth with simple, clean design.
A minimalist living room centered around a fireplace, combining warmth with simple, clean design.
A minimalist living room centered around a fireplace, combining warmth with simple, clean design.

Upstairs Spaces Designed for Light

Upstairs, two bedrooms include desks placed along the windows. This layout makes the most of natural light and provides clear views of the yard below.

Bright upstairs bedrooms with window-lined desks, designed to capture natural light and outdoor views.

A Look at the Design Process

Architectural drawings reveal how the home was planned, showing the relationship between the original structure and the new addition, and how each space connects.

Architectural drawings showcase the thoughtful layout behind this seamless home transformation.

Architectural drawings showcase the thoughtful layout behind this seamless home transformation.

This Federation home remodel by Studiofour offers a fresh approach to extending a heritage property. By drawing from existing details and applying them across the entire design, the home feels unified from front to back. Each space connects visually and functionally, creating a house that feels open, bright, and easy to move through.


Photography by Shannon McGrath