Based on a drive-by inspection alone, Belsö Design Studio founder Kaylene Bryce was excited about the possibilities of this house before it hit the market.

At the time, the interior designer and her husband were seeking a ‘renovator’s delight’ — ideally a property with mid-century character — in a great Geelong location.

‘I was drawn to the sunken lounge, exposed rafters, and brick throughout the house. The roofline and street presence felt unique and distinctive, making the property stand out immediately,’ says Kaylene. ‘We loved its location directly across from the Barwon River, which suited our active lifestyle and our border collie perfectly.’

The Belmont property was perfectly liveable, but there was room to improve its poky layout and update the kitchen and bathrooms that had been unsympathetically renovated over time. ‘I wanted the house to feel original, but more functional and liveable for our family,’ says Kaylene.

Most importantly,  Kaylene wanted the home’s architectural style to shine, keeping the interiors understated and reflective of mid-century modern design and the 1970s. ‘The aim was for the design to feel effortless, textural, and in harmony with the home’s original details.’

The renovation was broken down into two stages, starting with updates to the windows and doors. The existing aluminium windows were removed and replaced with stained timber to match the teak doors and wardrobe cabinetry throughout.

Stage two took around five months, coinciding with Kaylene falling pregnant. ‘We lived without a kitchen or bathroom for four months, relying on our parents’ caravan for showers and toilets!’ she recalls.

Worn carpets and cork flooring were removed, and a lowered ceiling over the kitchen was demolished to expose the original rafters. But in the entryway, original patterned floor tiles were retained, keeping that authentic 70s flair alive!

Minor tweaks to the floor plan were meanwhile implemented to dramatic effect — most notably the removal of a door and nib wall between the kitchen and sitting area to create an open-plan space. ‘We also turned an old workshop connected to the house into a studio space that Belso now works out of,’ says Kaylene.

Kaylene also renovated the bathrooms and the laundry, while largely retaining the existing plumbing points to minimise costs.

Terrazzo-look floor tiles and new white tiles with brown grout maintain the home’s ‘70s feel without blowing the budget. ‘The biggest challenge was the budget — making selections that were cost-conscious but still interesting and true to the style of the home,’ says Kaylene.

Laminex Teak joinery matches the existing doors, paired with oak timber floorboards that offset these darker tones. These materials look right at home in the updated interiors, harmonising with the original entry tiles, exposed brickwork, and robe fronts. The overall outcome is a functional, character-filed home tailored perfectly for Kaylene’s family, yet entirely respectful of its 1970s roots.