Restored Victorian terraced townhouse, by Maddalena Vienna

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As much of this Victorian terrace was restored to its original state, or authentic replacements found.

Floor plan of home was renovated by Maddalena angle, area, artwork, black and white, design, diagram, drawing, font, line, line art, monochrome, product, product design, technical drawing, text, white — Floor plan of home was renovated by Maddalena Vienna of Vienna Design.

Floorplan of home was renovated by Maddalena Vienna angle, architecture, area, design, diagram, drawing, elevation, floor plan, line, plan, product, product design, schematic, structure, technical drawing, white

Before image of a Victorian terrace townhouse that architecture, building, cottage, facade, home, house, neighbourhood, property, real estate, residential area, villa

Floor plan of home was renovated by Maddalena angle, area, black and white, design, diagram, drawing, floor plan, font, line, line art, plan, product, product design, technical drawing, text, white

The home was renovated by Maddalena Vienna of door, floor, flooring, home, house, interior design, room, stairs, wall, window, wood, gray, black, white

The home was renovated by Maddalena Vienna of architecture, cottage, facade, home, house, outdoor structure, porch, real estate, window, gray

The home was renovated by Maddalena Vienna of architecture, daylighting, door, glass, house, property, real estate, window, gray

Before image of the kitchen and rear yard architecture, ceiling, daylighting, glass, house, interior design, real estate, roof, window, gray, black

Before image of a bathroom in a Victorian bathroom, daylighting, door, floor, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, room, window, window covering, window treatment, gray

The home was renovated by Maddalena Vienna of architecture, ceiling, daylighting, house, window, red, black

The home was renovated by Maddalena Vienna of ceiling, door, home, house, molding, product, room, stairs, structure, wall, red

This master bedroom, in a restored Victorian terrace, bedroom, ceiling, estate, home, hotel, interior design, property, real estate, room, suite, brown

Many of us find ourselves drawn to an era or style that for some reason has a special resonance with us. While it may be difficult to articulate the exact attraction, there is usually an appreciation for the level of craft exhibited.

So it was for the owner of this inner-city townhouse, says architect Maddalena Vienna, principal of Vienna Design.

"The house was a typical Victorian townhouse that had had many renovations in the past, stripping out all of the original features.

"My client bought the house with the express desire to restore its character and to create the kind of atmosphere that he had dreamed of."

With instructions to restore everything original and replace the additions, Vienna set about turning back the clock.

The rear courtyard of this Victorian terrace was backyard, cottage, home, house, outdoor structure, patio, porch, real estate, tree, brown — The rear courtyard of this Victorian terrace was made over during a renovation to create a softer, more organic space. Irregular slate pavers lend the area a rustic European feel. The remodel was designed by Maddalena Vienna, principal of Vienna Design.

"We didn't have anything to go on no photographs or details that related specifically to this property, so we relied on a Victorian framework to inform the design.

"It is highly likely, given the area and its working class, light industrial past, that the house was never designed as a grand Victorian residence. As such, many of the features we've incorporated the highly decorated mouldings and corbels may never have existed originally, or would have been much simpler."

As well as adding authentic elements to the property, the designer carried out a number of architectural changes. On the main floor the kitchen was extended and repositioned to the rear of the building.

Upstairs, internal walls were removed to create one large master suite, comprising bedroom, sitting room and study. The bathroom was also reconfigured, using the existing volume to create a greater sense of space.

"One of the successes of the project overall, is what we've managed to achieve using the existing space," says Vienna.

All of the fireplaces in this renovated ceiling, dining room, estate, home, house, interior design, living room, real estate, room, wood, brown — All of the fireplaces in this renovated Victorian terrace house were restored to working order, mouldings were reinstated, the wooden staircase refurbished, and antique pieces sourced specifically for the house. The design is by Maddalena Vienna, principal of Vienna Design.

"Built-in millwork, in the form of bookcases or closets, has been incorporated into nearly every room, adding much-needed storage space without compromising the overall design.

"Similarly, the plaster ceiling in the bathroom now gives a seamless finish to what was an area of competing geometries smoothing out the edges in a sympathetic way has imbued the spaces with a sense of grace, and introduced a series of gentler shapes."

Similar shapes have found their way into other rooms, most notably as a way to screen the skylights.

"The client was adamant that the skylights be removed and a proper ceiling reinstated. However unappealing, they have a genuine use and I was able to persuade him to keep them, on the condition that they be modified so as to be less obtrusive," says Vienna. "A false ceiling with circular cutouts was the compromise we came up with.

"It is the only modern concession. All of the millwork, doors, flooring, furniture and accessories are period pieces that were sourced, restored and installed. Because of that, the house will never date. On the contrary, it will acquire a patina that will only enrich it further."