A Victorian restoration and contemporary family home by Amber Downie & Aaron Ronaldson (Elwood Building Co)

When Amber and Aaron first walked through their Brighton East home, it was far from liveable. Years of neglect had left the Victorian house worn down and in poor condition, the kind of property most people would walk straight past.

But beneath the surface, they saw something different.

A strong Victorian façade. Generous proportions. And, most importantly, a sense of potential they couldn’t ignore.

What followed was an ambitious owner-built transformation: a careful restoration of the original home paired with a sculptural contemporary extension designed for their growing family. Aaron, a builder with years of experience through Elwood Building Co, led the construction, while Amber shaped the interiors and styling direction.

The result is a home defined by contrast and connection: heritage detail preserved and celebrated at the front, flowing into a light-filled, modern living environment at the rear. Warm, tactile and intentionally “perfectly imperfect,” it reflects both their shared vision and their individual strengths.

We sat down with Amber and Aaron to talk about the journey.

The House Before

What was the house like when you first found it, and what made you see potential in it?

Amber:

The house was in such a state when we first walked through. Sadly it had not been maintained for many years and was totally unlivable. I have no doubt it would have scared most people off but we instantly saw the potential. The beautiful Victorian front and space to extend was the biggest selling point. Although it was so rundown, it still had a really nice feel to it and great bones. We knew we had our work cut out for us but could bring this beauty back to life.

Choosing Brighton East

What drew you to Brighton East as the place to settle and build your family home?

Amber:

We knew the area well and all it had to offer with Bay and Church St so close by, but what really drew us in were the lovely neighbours and young families we met walking by or at the nearby park. There was a lovely sense of community and with a growing family it just made sense.

Building Your Own Home

Aaron has built homes for clients for many years. What was it like finally creating one for yourselves?

Amber:

I love watching the progress of all of Aaron’s builds. I prepare handover packs and hampers for his clients when each one is completed and I’m always in awe of his work. So when it was our turn to create a home together, it felt really special. Aaron worked tirelessly on our build and seeing firsthand everything he manages and coordinates made me incredibly proud.

Design Intentions

How would you describe the feeling you wanted the home to have?

Amber:

Restoring the facade to its former beauty was so important to us. But we also wanted that element of surprise when you walk down the original hallway into the kitchen and living areas. We wanted it to feel warm, inviting and lived in.

Inspiration & Materials

Where did the inspiration come from?

Amber:

I’ve always loved colour, textures and the unexpected. I’d love to say a certain place or memory influenced us, but honestly I feel most inspired when I’m sourcing tiles, flooring and finishes.

The Heart of the Home

The kitchen and living space feels like the heart of the home. How did that come together?

Amber:

The kitchen and living area came together so effortlessly. Space, light, storage and practicality were non-negotiables. I knew I wanted microcement for the island and benchtops, and it turned out to be perfect. The warmth and imperfect texture really set the tone for the whole space.

Aaron:

The kitchen demanded the most attention to detail. The custom island required a lot of precision with the substrate and microcement finish. I also handcrafted a solid oak arch door at the end of the hallway, which became a really special feature.

Everyday Living

How does the house work for family life and entertaining?

Amber:

We haven’t overcomplicated anything. Every surface is what we call “perfectly imperfect”, from wide oak floorboards to durable benchtops. With the arch doors opening to the pool and garden, it’s the perfect entertaining space.

Working Together

What was it like building your home together as a couple?

Amber:

We really love working together. Not every decision was easy, but when you’re aligned it flows. I’d have a vision and Aaron knew how to bring it to life. I trusted his experience completely.

The Build Experience

What was the biggest challenge?

Aaron:

Probably the timeline. We set ourselves the goal of moving in before Christmas with our baby due early December. We poured the slab in October and finished the kitchen on Christmas Eve, it was a huge push.

And the most rewarding moment?

Aaron:

Sitting by the pool with our daughter and finally taking it all in. Looking back at the arch doors and extension, it really hit how much work had gone into it.

Advice

Any advice for renovating a period home or building together?

Amber:

Make sure you understand heritage overlays before starting. Lock in your fixtures and finishes early, and keep communication clear. Most importantly, build for you, not for anyone else.

Credits:
Builder / Owner: Elwood Building Co
Styling / Furniture: Fenton & Fenton
Photography: Dave Kulesza
Location: Brighton East