Loch: Victorian Residence Reimagined
Location - Camberwell, VIC
Product Used - HW1591 Ancient Versailles, Parquetry Design Collection
Designer - Emily Gillis Design
Builder - Steven Waters Building
Photographer - Lillie Thompson | Stylist - Cristina Guerrero Fernández
Set in Melbourne’s suburb Camberwell, this carefully restored Victorian residence by Emily Gillis Design and Steven Waters Building balances heritage character with contemporary family living. Designed for a growing family, the project focuses on warmth, longevity and architectural consistency, creating interiors that feel deeply connected across both original and newly reworked spaces.
Integral to this sense of cohesion is the flooring selection: Havwoods Ancient Versailles from the Parquetry Design Collection. Installed throughout the home, the timber flooring establishes a refined material language that brings continuity, texture and timeless appeal to every room.
Respecting the home’s architectural character
Rather than contrasting old and new, the renovation sought to create a natural evolution of the home’s existing identity.
Traditional detailing and carefully considered craftsmanship were used throughout the interiors to ensure each space felt connected in tone, proportion and finish.
Decorative wall panelling, classic-style joinery, marble accents and softly layered neutral tones contribute to the home’s understated elegance, while subtle references to English-inspired interiors reinforce its enduring character.
Original architectural details were carefully preserved where possible, with additional mouldings and trims custom-designed to align seamlessly with the existing home.
The flooring became a key unifying element within this approach, allowing movement through the residence to feel effortless and resolved.
Material continuity throughout the home
A restrained and tonal material palette plays a significant role in creating cohesion across the residence. Warm neutrals, natural textures and layered finishes establish a softness that carries through every room, allowing architectural detailing and craftsmanship to take precedence over decoration.
The use of timber flooring throughout was integral to this continuity. Havwoods Versailles Ancient from the Parquetry Design Collection was selected for its ability to complement both the heritage character of the home and the refined simplicity of the updated interiors.
The Versailles collection has recently expanded with a new generation of panels
The collection now includes additional colours, a refined grading approach, and a smoother surface finish, with matching planks available. Designed for a wider range of interiors and delivered as pre-crafted square panels for faster, simpler installation.
The continuity of materials across old and new areas reinforces the overall sense of connection throughout the home.
Crafted from European Oak, the Versailles parquetry introduces subtle geometric structure while maintaining a timeless quality appropriate to the home’s architectural language. The flooring works alongside marble, painted joinery and antique furnishings to create depth and warmth without overwhelming the spaces.
Designing for modern family living
While the home maintains a strong sense of tradition, the internal layout was significantly reconfigured to better support contemporary living. Spaces were reshaped to improve functionality, flexibility and flow, resulting in a home that feels both practical and deeply personal.
Dedicated workspaces, relaxed family zones and improved connections between rooms allow the home to accommodate the evolving rhythms of family life while retaining a sense of refinement.
In the kitchen, traditional detailing was balanced with thoughtful spatial planning. Reworking the layout improved natural light and sightlines, while custom cabinetry, marble surfaces and carefully selected fittings contribute to the room’s enduring character.
Elsewhere, more intimate spaces were used as opportunities to introduce depth and individuality through colour. Richly painted studies and layered furnishings bring contrast to the otherwise restrained palette, adding moments of personality within the calm overall composition.
A home designed to endure
The Loch St residence demonstrates how thoughtful design and selections can respectfully evolve a period home for contemporary living. Rather than relying on contrast or trend-driven gestures, the project succeeds through consistency, material quality and attention to detail.
For homeowners and the design and build community working within heritage contexts, the project offers a compelling example of how carefully resolved materials such as Havwoods timber flooring can work to create homes that feel both enduring and entirely contemporary.