From dated to delightful

Reclaimed timber infuses character and warmth into a 1970s Canberra townhouse, and thoughtful design choices make it more functional for day-to-day living.

At a glance

  • Tired townhouse given a facelift with reclaimed timber joinery
  • Existing kitchen cabinetry retained
  • Spaces made more functional for living and entertaining
  • Storage increased
A 10.3-kilowatt solar PV system helps power the all-electric home.

For a couple who love having friends over, Daniel and Aidan’s Canberra townhouse lacked both the space and style needed for hosting. While the house had been updated to catch the sunlight and open up the living area, the renovations – designed for a single older resident – didn’t provide the functional space they needed for gatherings. “We wanted to make the home more practical for our busy lives and love of entertaining, while adding character and bringing back some of the original design influences,” says Aidan.

The white and chrome finishes clashed with the 1970s architecture, so the couple explored old real estate listings to rediscover the home’s natural aesthetic, coming up with brown bricks, stained timber architraves, mosaic tiles, paper lantern pendants and yellow bottle glass. “We looked for materials that would give us a contemporary interpretation of this style, that would hopefully be more lasting,” says Daniel. For a timeless look, they wanted to use timber, providing both warmth and a connection to the home’s architectural roots.

“We fell in love with the mountain views and original architecture,” homeowner Aidan says of the townhouse, which he describes as very 1970s Sydney regional style. The thoughtful material choices have refreshed the space. “The choice of reclaimed timber immediately brought warmth and character, and the depth of hues and marks of time felt in keeping with the original style,” says Aidan. The new joinery, crafted from reclaimed ash, extends to the living room.

Aidan has a passion for design and drawing, and created detailed CAD plans for the renovation of the upstairs living and kitchen areas. David Scerri of Thor’s Hammer, a Canberra-based timber recycler, joiner and furniture maker, refined the design and brought it to life. “I like that when you deal directly with the end user, you can personalise things a lot more and make it specific to their needs,” says David.

The kitchen, once dated and impractical, has been transformed without the need for a complete overhaul. “Sustainability was one of the main criteria, and we were particularly keen on reclaimed timber,” says Aidan. “Working with Thor’s meant that not only could we use reclaimed timber, but we could retain the existing cabinetry, which many kitchen companies weren’t willing to do.” They upgraded to modern electric appliances, including an induction cooktop, to reduce energy use and make the most of their rooftop solar system.

New timber benchtops and shelving have added warmth and practicality, with more surfaces and storage. Previously the sink sat at the end of the island bench, leaving no space to stack dishes. “By adding a small overhang with the new benchtop, we created a much more functional wet zone and a convenient spot for bar stools to make the kitchen more social,” says Aidan.

A second benchtop along the back wall extends beyond the cabinets to include additional shelving for easy-to-reach storage. The benchtop legs are removable, allowing for future work on the new spotted gum flooring – installed as part of the project – without pulling apart the entire bench, splashback and stove. Floating shelving opens up the kitchen, making the dining area with its views of Mount Taylor and the Brindabella Ranges feel more spacious. The shelving and cupboard top in the living area are matched to the kitchen joinery for a cohesive design throughout.

The couple debated about whether to use blackbutt or ash for the joinery, but the local sourcing of ash from demolitions sold them. “They were trying to lighten the space and have quite a mid-century modern aesthetic,” says David. “They chose local Canberra ash because they liked the look of it, but also because it’s sourced from local buildings and comes from a tree that is plentiful in this region.” Many Canberra houses built in the 1950s and 1960s used this timber. “As these houses are being demolished, reusing the wood locally helps reduce transportation distances and minimises environmental impact,” adds David.

Beyond the beautiful new timberwork, the couple upgraded the house by adding a 10.3-kilowatt rooftop solar system and an electric vehicle charger. Reverse-cycle air conditioning and ceiling fans were installed in the southwest-facing bedrooms, improving both energy efficiency and comfort.

“For us, the daily moments have made the home such a joy to live in,” says Aidan. “We love making a morning coffee with everything at our fingertips, and then sitting watching the sun catch the mountains. Even our pup loves basking in the winter sun, and catching dappled light when the deciduous vines offer summer shade.” And they also report that hosting big family gatherings is so much easier.

Designers
David Scerri and Aidan Delaney
Builder
Thor’s Hammer
Location
Swinger Hill, ACT (Ngunnawal Country)
Cost
Approx $80,000; completed 2023
Size
House 119m2

Support our work

Renew is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to arming you with the unbiased advice and information you need to make your home and community more sustainable. If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting us by becoming a Renew member or buying our publications. Your support is critical to helping us achieve our goals.
support renew
Further reading
Green getaway

Green getaway

Simple and striking, this Brisbane family’s new backyard retreat is a triumph.

Read more
On the money

On the money

With just $58,000, Rob retrofitted his 1970s Melbourne unit for far greater comfort and energy efficiency, learning a lot along the way.

Read more
New beginnings

New beginnings

Catherine’s new hempcrete home in the Witchcliffe Ecovillage, south of Perth, offers her much more than simply a place to live.

Read more