A home is inevitably a blank canvas; a series of spaces that we fill and decorate with things we like and memories. In doing this, it becomes a reflection of who we are. This young family desired exactly that for their home in Fitzroy— a space that wasn’t giant but one that had plenty of light, paid homage to their Italian heritage and that felt like theirs. A forever home.
The homeowners of Casa Cassata, a “professional, fun and social couple in their mid-40s with a young son and beloved cat, Gnocchi”, had lived on the street for more than a decade. Their previous home was a converted warehouse apartment with minimal natural light, except when standing outside their front door. There, they’d enjoy a drink, chat with neighbours, and catch the last moments of sunlight on the footpath.
Designing for Light, Garden, and Warmth
The homeowners’ brief called for light-filled, usable spaces that feel generous and warm. They also wanted to keep as much as the garden as possible as this was the main reason for purchasing the property in the first place. “We loved this brief. It means using the budget where it counts, and we were not trying to stretch it thin to make a large home but rather achieve a warm, generous, well-insulated and light-filled home,” says Sally Timmins, architect and director of Timmins+Whyte Architects.
The original house was a very rundown, double-fronted Edwardian that had a partial renovation completed in the ‘70s. There were four main bedrooms with fi replaces, while a lean-to housed the kitchen, laundry and bathroom but had little visual connection to the backyard.
A Layout that Embraces Living
Apart from the two original front rooms, the homeowners reconfigured and rebuilt the rest of the house. Guided by their desire for abundant natural light, they set the new kitchen, dining, and living area back from the northern boundary. This move created an L-shaped, wrap-around deck that effectively doubles the Fitzroy home ‘s living space. An angled roof with large, openable skylights captures sunlight and allows the interiors to breathe. Since the homeowners love to cook and entertain, they also designed the new extension to adapt to these needs.
“The orientation of the house extension has allowed it to interact with the garden on all sides. With this and the strong aesthetic internally, the occupants have the impression of stepping away from the Fitzroy streets into a different world,’ says Sally.
Inspired by Heritage and Full of Personality
As a reflection of the likes and personalities of the homeowners, Casa Cassata’s interior was inspired by their Italian heritage. Saturated pinks and terracotta make up the main colour palette, complemented by coloured glass, oversized cornices, characterful marble and textured tiles. A checkered stone island bench and liquorice drawer pulls are whimsical details that highlight this playful interior. The Fitzroy home’s exterior facade is the perfect appetiser for this home, boasting navy walls, lilac trims, patterned tiling and a burnt-coral front door.
“The house’s overriding impression is that of warmth, light and colour — a little Italian holiday every day,” says Sally. “The house was nicknamed Casa Cassata during the build as a nod to the clients’ Italian heritage, reflecting the playful, colourful nature of the house.”
The homeowner and architect are close social friends, so this project was a passionate, collaborative eff ort and it really shows. Casa Cassata is a true representation of its homeowners and will prove to be a timeless, forever family home.
