Patricia Burgess was considering a sea change to Portsea when her grandson, Hector’s Deli co-founder Dominic Wilton, discovered this 1970s house for sale.

Located down a long driveway, the home was private, large enough to host extended family, and ripe for a personalised renovation.

Patricia says the house was in poor condition and had no architectural merit, so she engaged Pandolfini Architects to design a major renovation, without extending the floor plan. ‘It was important to me to stay within the original footprint,’ explains Patricia. ‘I loved the wide passageway, open-plan living, and the sense of seclusion — being tucked away from the surrounding buildings.’

The original exterior walls were maintained, but every other element of the house was reimagined for an overall lighter and brighter aesthetic, down to the new vaulted ceilings.

A neutral material palette of travertine, Calacatta marble, American oak herringbone flooring, hard plaster, and a white timber batten wall were selected, essentially forming a blank canvas for Patricia to decorate with her books and art collections. Hanging on the walls throughout are works by Nicholas Ives, Charles Blackman, George Baldessin, and Patricia’s grandchildren.

Dominic helped his grandmother with styling decisions and furniture selection, (perhaps subconsciously?) incorporating the signature red and white colours and stainless steel used across his Hector’s Deli restaurant branding, in Patricia’s living room. It’s now her favourite room. ‘It’s filled with books, paintings and centred around a welcoming fireplace,’ she says. ‘It’s a space that feels truly lived in, where I can relax and be surrounded by the things I love.’

Patricia’s house comes alive when filled with family, who often gather in the entertaining areas that flow out to the restored tennis court and 20-metre swimming pool. At other times, it’s her sanctuary, tailored to Patricia, her dogs Molly and Alan, and their new life by the beach.

‘Living in Portsea is like experiencing the best of both worlds – a blend of seaside charm and country tranquillity,’ Patricia says. ‘It was a joy to escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne and settle into a place where life moves at a gentler pace.’