Home Tour: An East Geelong Weatherboard Gets an Artful Revival

As an artist, Kimmy Hogan knows how to bring a concept to life with creativity, vision and passion.

So, it was the ultimate challenge for her when it came to renovating her East Geelong weatherboard in Victoria to become a “forever home” designed to evolve with her growing family.

Along with her husband Nicholas and their three boys, Walter, ten, Arthur, eight, and Teddy, six, as well as their miniature dachshund, the goal was to refresh the three-bedroom 1950s home to accommodate their family while still honouring the property’s original character.

“When we were first looking to purchase a home, we wanted something that needed an aesthetic makeover but was good enough to live in until if or when we wanted to renovate— that was when we only had one child!” Kimmy reflects. “After having two more children, we knew we needed to make our home bigger.”

From the outset, the family wanted to respect the era of the home while incorporating fresh, modern elements. “We wanted to carry the classic weatherboards, timber floors, and timber windows into the new renovation,” Kimmy says.

Flow & Functionality 

The first order of business was extending up and adding a whole new floor for the master suite. Another dramatic change was the relocation and expansion of the kitchen, lounge, and dining areas. The redesign prioritised flow and functionality by incorporating an unused outdoor space into the new floorplan and maximising the natural light.

The main bathroom was also extended, allowing for a separate shower and bath, and the laundry was also relocated, elongated, and given outdoor access—making it the perfect entry point for muddy kids.

With a more functional layout, it was time to capitalise on the property’s stunning natural light. “[The natural light] is one of the main reasons we fell in love with this home in the first place, with its large bedrooms and big timber windows,” Kimmy shares.

They maintained the original bedrooms in their layout and reconfigured the back half of the house to allow natural light from the north and west to flood the living areas. Skylights over the kitchen, positioned on the south side of the home, provide additional light, creating a bright and open space.

European Vibes

With French and Mediterranean influences, the design dials up the coastal holiday home vibe. The neutral, creamy-clay walls, painted in Dulux Grand Piano Half, provide a warm yet airy base, while rich mustards, dusty pinks, and tans bring character to the space. “It’s the perfect canvas to decorate with,” she says.

Kimmy’s attention to detail is evident in every corner of the home, from the sandy-feel stone in the kitchen to the rustic, imperfect tiles used throughout the bathrooms. “The tapware throughout the house is from Brodware’s Winslow range, which has a whimsy, nostalgic look,” she notes, with wall-mounted taps making them stand out as a feature.

By staying true to their tastes, the family incorporated existing artworks that naturally fit the space, alongside some of Kimmy’s own large pieces, printed for feature walls that add a beautiful sentimental touch.

A House to Grow in

As a mother of three, practicality was always a priority for Kimmy. “We plan to raise our three boys here, who will be big, messy teenagers one day—so we prioritised hard-wearing surfaces, thoughtful storage, and lived-in furniture and decor that will be forgiving with age.”

From engineered stone in the kitchen to forgiving handmade tiles in the bathroom, every choice was made with family living in mind.

Kimmy is particularly proud of the custom-made timber French doors and windows that span the entire back living space. “We liked them on paper, but to see them installed and appreciate their scale and quality was incredible,” she says.

The addition of a new level for the master suite was another highlight. “This is a space beyond my wildest dreams!” she exclaims. Kimmy describes the home’s final feel as “warm, creative, and character-filled,” reflecting the care and thoughtfulness behind every decision. “It’s a home we can grow in for many years to come.”

PROJECT CREDITS:

Home Owner: Kimmy Hogan @kimmyhogan

Styling: Bea + Co by Bea Lambos @beaandcostyle

Interior Designer: Your Abode @yourabodedesign

Builder: Arca Build @arca.build

Photography: Cricket Studio @cricket.s_foundry, @cricket.s_art

Words: Bella Brennan @bellarosebrennan

Enjoyed our home tour of Kimmy Hogan’s East Geelong weatherboard and want to keep perving some of the most stylish places going around? Take a look at Byron Bay’s newest luxury hotel, BASQ House, then check out this heritage haven in the Northern Beaches.