Once pokey, disjointed, cold and dark, this three-bedroom, single-bathroom bungalow, originally built in 1918, has been given a new lease on life.

Now with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, the spacious family home in Wadestown, Wellington, is light, warm, comfortable and a pleasure to live in. The owners had firm requirements of functionality for their young and growing family, and wanted to find a balance between maintaining the character of their home and making it fit for modern living. Building on its lovely bones, the upgrade and extension has restored this residence to its former glory and beyond. While much of the internal structure has been reorganised for effective use of space, external features have been retained to reinforce the home’s historic identity. A mixture of traditional details, such as timber sash windows and a stunning reclaimed stained-glass front door, coexist with modern conveniences. Aluminium multi-sliders in the new open-plan space, and an ensuite off the master bedroom, are conducive to contemporary, easy living.