Metaphor Design: Step Into A Magical Parkview Home

Today’s beautiful Parkview property was a rabbit warren full of treasures for the owners of Metaphor Design. They stumbled across this home with little intention of buying anything, especially not a 1000 squares of jungle to rival Ms Haversham’s…. But we are so glad that they did find this striking home – a magical residence wrapped up inside a tangle of an overgrown garden.

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Original red brick arches over the patio hinted at other heritage features hidden within. The new buyers discovered beautiful parquet floors laid in various patterns throughout the house and perfect Art Deco lightning bolt door handles on solid Oregon pine internal doors. Built in 1934, the house was unadulterated by renovators but was also run down and in serious need of TLC. Needless to say, Metaphor Design couldn’t resist!

​By the time transfer came through, the new owners had pin-balled through layout options as they embarked on the redesign and came to a consensus on what needed to be done. The traditional divided room structure would be updated to a more open plan arrangement more suited to a modern lifestyle.

They decided that the best way to do this would be to relocate the kitchen from the back corner to the centre of the house, allowing a TV Room and a Dining Room to spill off from it. They created a clear line of site from the front patio, through the living area and kitchen into the back courtyard. What was once a dark area is now flooded with light.

Pale and interesting walls and high ceilings accentuate the sense of space and allows free movement through the home. Major surgery was also required to remedy the current bathroom conundrum! The new layout had to provide 3 En Suites as well as a guest bathroom where there had once been one and a half bathrooms.

New aluminium doors and windows replaced rusted steel cottage panes and brought in contemporary edge as well as sunlight. A picture frame oval window was retained as well as a gorgeously tooled brass window. Red brick edges to parapet walls were refurbished and continued in new places. The design team wanted to keep as many of the precious antique details as possible because everyone felt these features were what made the house so special.

New kitchens and bathrooms were designed with clean lines that nod to classical styles but are modern and minimal. Natural Oak and marble like Ceaserstone counter tops in the kitchen contrast against white duco vanities with Rugged Concrete Ceaserstone tops in the bathrooms. Overall the result is elegant and understated but incredibly beautiful.

The garden also received some much-needed love and attention. Very organised spirals of bougainvillea, snake through rows of neatly set olive trees as wild grass rustles below.

Metaphor is a niche practice and the team work closely with clients and believe that relationships matter. Their methods are based on understanding your needs and taking practical steps to meet them.

For more visit Metaphor Design.

Photographed by Astrid Kingsley