Deventon: A Contemporary Rebirth of a 1930s Arts and Crafts Home
In the affluent neighborhood of Toorak, Victoria, Australia, Deventon stands as a testament to the seamless blend of past and present. Originally designed by A. Mortimer McMillan in the 1930s as an Arts and Crafts style house, the property has been brilliantly reinterpreted by Jolson Architecture Interiors.
Merging the house’s intrinsic heritage charm with cutting-edge design, this masterpiece highlights the vast gardens and a state-of-the-art basement, offering amenities from a six-car garage to a wellness retreat.
About Deventon
The Makeover of Devenescire
Back in the 1930s, A. Mortimer McMillan built a house called ‘Devenescire’. Today, Jolson Architecture Interiors has given it a fresh look. They added modern touches for a young family but kept the home’s old charm alive.
Modern Additions
Instead of just fixing up the old parts, they made big changes. They took down the back of the house and built it up again, keeping the old brick look and pointy roof. They also dug out a big basement under the house. This gave them more space without taking away from the big yard. The basement has a garage, a place for a boat, a movie room, a gym, and a sauna. There’s even an elevator that goes from the basement to the main house. Big windows in the basement let in lots of light and sit right under a new pool.
Mixing Old and New
Inside, the house has a mix of old and new looks. Even though the rooms are modern, you can still feel the home’s old spirit. Big windows let in lots of light, making it easy to move between inside and outside. Near the pool, there’s a white shade that looks a lot like the home’s old roofline.
Bright and Artful Interiors
Walking inside, you’ll see bits of the past and present together. Like in the kitchen, the countertops have angles that remind you of the house’s old design. Some walls have diamond shapes like the home’s old windows. Strong, pretty materials make the inside feel warm and bright. In the main bathroom, there’s a stone wall that shines in the light from a big 4-metre (about 13.1 feet) opening above, showing the sky.
To finish, Deventon is a great example of how you can mix old charm with new needs to make a perfect family home.
Photography by Lucas Allen
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- by Matt Watts
