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Some projects are purely strategic. Some are all heart. And every now and then, we get to blend the two.
Cliff Street has been part of our family for a long time. We bought this double-fronted beauty in Brunswick back in 2010, and did a quick renovation on it with the idea that one day it might become a home for our boys, Liam and Ben. Its proximity to the city, transport, and universities made it a smart long-term play – but like many properties, life had other plans.
Fast forward to now: the boys are grown (23 and 25), both carpenters and ready to step into their own projects. So rather than holding on or selling it as-is, we decided to transform Cliff Street into the home we always imagined – and let it become a training ground of sorts, a full-circle renovation project we could do together.
The Vision
After spending years as a share house, the home was tired but full of potential. We ran the usual feasibilities: sell as-is, do a light reno and flip, or go all in. In the end, we chose to back the original dream — to turn this house into a warm, layered, beautifully functional family home.
We worked with Obi Architects to create a floorplan that feels simple on the surface, but is incredibly considered underneath – a proper flow from living zones to sleeping quarters, a side mudroom entrance (hello, groceries), built-in storage where it counts, and layered living areas that open up or close down as needed.
The Design
We focused on flow and feel. Starting with wide-plank timber flooring throughout using the Godfrey Hirst, Chateau Oak 180 – Scarlett Oak, we layered in texture and tone — a natural Limestone Sinai Pearl Batons from RMS Traders running through the kitchen, laundry, and mudroom. It plays beautifully against the natural stone benchtops from CDK, a finish we fell in love with two years ago and knew would find a home here.
We’d been eyeing off Laminex’s new colour range and couldn’t go past Outback Clay. It felt warm, earthy, and just right for the kitchen cabinetry – so we ran with it and colour-washed the room to match with Dulux Kangaroo Pouch. It’s a cocoon of calm, grounded by intention and tone.
Anyone who’s followed BuildHer for a while knows how obsessed I am with living room function — not just how it looks, but how it works. So yes, we used this project as the perfect excuse to bring home the King Living 1977 couch (in Pinot Noir, no less). That one piece helped us plan the space around it — from the mirrored shelf behind (equal parts design moment and practical ledge) to the glass brick window that lights up the joinery.
And the joinery? It’s everything. A full wall of drawers — the kind that hides Lego, dolls, cars, and clutter. Simple, practical, and inspired by our James Street home, where this setup became the hero of tidy family living.
Externally, we were drawn to the versatility of Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture by James Hardie — especially the vertical installation, which felt just right for the Box Modern silhouette we had in mind. But we couldn’t resist stacking it horizontally for a softer, more traditional render look — minus the weight of masonry. It went up fast thanks to the interlocking edges, and with fire resistance up to BAL40, plus protection against rot, termites and moisture, it’s built to last. Backed by a 25-year warranty, it’s a finish that feels as solid as it looks.
The Details
- Master Suite: A private retreat with full-width wardrobes and a spacious ensuite. Double doors open to the garden — it’s light-filled, calm, and feels like a little hotel moment at home with our cork bedhead.
- Snug: A second living space at the front of the house, perfect for movies, quiet time, or guests. We’ve fallen a bit in love with it.
- External Finishes: We were the first in the country to use the NEW Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture by James Hardie — a stackable, fibre cement board that is built to last. Its subtle texture adds a refined moment to the façade, pairing beautifully with custom double-glazed steel windows. The concealed fix system allows for quick installation with minimal patching, while Hardie™ embedded texture technology delivers consistent, paint-ready finishes without the need for specialist trades. It’s modern, solid, and sharp.
- Joinery Throughout: Built for living. Drawers where you want them, storage that makes sense, and just enough detail to feel like someone really thought it through.
- Beautiful Natural Finishes: Using high quality natural finishes is something we pride ourselves on. The combination of the island stone bench and the limestone floor set the scene here.
More Than a Flip
Cliff Street isn’t just a renovation. It’s been family project — one that let us work alongside our two eldest children, Liam and Ben, pass on a bit of knowledge (and maybe learn a few new tricks ourselves), and create a home that reflects how we want to live: warm, open, layered, and intentional.
It’s not precious. It’s not styled to within an inch of its life. It’s real. It’s ready for dinners, late nights, kids’ sleepovers, and summer mornings in the backyard. And we hope the family that moves in next can feel all of that when they walk through the door.
Because that’s what good design does — it makes you feel something. And if we’ve done our job right, you’ll feel it here.
Get the look!
Download our Project Lookbook here: CLIFF ST LOOK BOOK
Partners:
Architect – OBI Office
Carpentry – LM Building Group
Cladding – James Hardie
Timber flooring and carpet – Godfrey Hirst
Kitchen – Laminex
Tiles in kitchen – RMS Traders
Stone – CDK Stone
Bathrooms – The Blue Space
Tapware – Meir
Curtains – DIY Blinds
Sofa – King Furniture – https://www.kingliving.com.au/
Barstools – Satara – https://satara.com.au/
Outdoor occasional chairs – Satara – https://satara.com.au/
Single bedhead – Create Estate
