Pitch perfect in Westmere
Timeless character, modern comfort: Ben & Kelly’s Westmere build
With a long history of renovating villas and bungalows, Ben and Kelly knew the charm of older homes - and the challenges that come with them. After years of trying to make existing homes fit their lifestyle, they were ready for a fresh start. This time, they wanted to design their home from scratch - with character, comfort, and clever use of space. They found an old villa in Westmere, and worked with Signature Homes to manage their Knock Down & Rebuild project.
The brief: old soul, new start
In choosing Westmere as their location, Ben and Kelly knew they wanted to create something that blended beautifully with its surroundings. Their brief? A modern take on the classic 1920s–30s bungalow - one that would feel settled in the neighbourhood, not brand new.
“We love that our home doesn’t look out of place next to the older homes,” says Kelly.
They worked closely with their Signature Homes design team to bring the vision to life. With weatherboard timber, corrugated iron roofing, and thoughtful architectural detailing, they created a home that honours the past while being built for the future.
The plan: fit for family, and the future
On a long, narrow site, the home needed to be clever with space. The solution? A two-storey layout that delivers everything on their wishlist—four bedrooms, two bathrooms, indoor-outdoor flow, and enough room left over for a pool, a garden, and a touch of tranquillity.
The look: refined, relaxed, and light-filled
The exterior is a beautiful nod to the character homes they’ve always loved—classic weatherboard, corrugated iron, and boxed corners with carefully selected lighting to highlight the garden and architectural features.
Inside, it’s all about ease and light. High-stud ceilings and ducted air conditioning create year-round comfort, while the smart L-shaped layout lets them adapt the home depending on the sun and weather—opening some areas, closing others, always in tune with the day.
Choosing the right flooring was key to maintaining the bungalow feel. “We wanted something that reflected the warmth of timber flooring,” says Ben. “We’re really happy with the Blonde Oak look.”
Something special
There are a few standout spaces that bring everyday joy: a cosy window seat perfect for reading, a beautifully landscaped garden viewed from the master bedroom, and - perhaps unexpectedly- the large laundry, which Kelly calls “a game-changer.”
The Build Experience
Ben and Kelly appreciated how collaborative the design process was. “The Signature team helped refine our thoughts and were very accommodating throughout,” says Ben. “We’re really happy with the result.”