Some homes are turned around for profit. Others are revived with purpose. When Roger and Nicole stepped inside this East Launceston property, they knew they weren’t looking at a project. They were stepping into a legacy.
With its original fittings intact but timeworn from over 50 years without renovation, the Victorian-era residence was in desperate need of revival. But where others might have seen plaster cracks, worn carpets and a ‘spooky workshop’ hidden at the back, Roger saw potential. Nicole saw beauty.
They didn’t just restore the home. They brought it back to life with a sense of purpose that extended well beyond the walls.
A Project with Soul
Having lived in Launceston for three decades before relocating interstate, Roger knew the area well. The location was second to none. But it was the home’s bones, its symmetry, and untouched detail that truly captivated him.
“When I flew down and walked through the home, despite its depressed state, I was immediately hooked,” he recalls.
That connection only deepened as the couple uncovered what lay beneath. Baltic pine floorboards were hidden beneath linoleum. Original skirting boards waited behind 1950s built-ins. Lath and plaster ceilings with intricate cornices had quietly survived behind years of wear.
What began as a quick three-month tidy-up for tenanting quickly evolved into a full-scale renovation that spanned nearly nine months. The more they restored, the more the house revealed its former self and its future.
Modern Vintage with Purpose
Nicole, whose eye for design had already shaped their previous Trevallyn home, took the lead on styling. She chose a refined, sympathetic palette to highlight the home’s original elegance.
They worked with contrasts. Natural white walls and ceilings were paired with floorboards stained in Black Japan. Carefully selected furniture pieces, varied room by room, reinforced the home’s character without overwhelming it. Every texture, tone, and silhouette was chosen with purpose, blending modern comfort with the home’s vintage spirit.
As Roger puts it, “The idea was to pretty up the old lady, to keep the charm but add the comforts of today.”
Local Hands, Thoughtful Craft
While much of the restoration was done by hand, Roger and Nicole brought in a small, trusted team of local trades who shared their vision. Floor sanding was completed by Jonny Cawthen. Electrical work was carried out by Dylan Russell. Plumbing was handled by Dean Lawless and Matthew Cornelius. Tiling was done by Reuban Matthews.
Each tradesperson showed care in their work, respecting the constraints and quirks of a home that didn’t want to be rushed or reshaped beyond recognition.
A New Heart, Hidden at the Back
Ask any guest what moment takes their breath away and they’ll likely mention The Dining Hall. Once made up of a closed-off kitchen and dark workshop, this space has been opened into one light-filled room with soaring 3.7 metre ceilings, a wraparound kitchen, butler’s pantry, and a long, inviting dining table.
But it’s the journey that makes the impact. The rose and cornices of the formal living room, the fireplaces in every bedroom, the decorative arch in the hallway, and the 21 beautifully polished timber stairs with pressed tin detailing. Each element feels considered, not staged. Personal, not performative.
Part of a Bigger Story
This wasn’t just a design exercise. It was an investment in Launceston’s built story, and in the idea that heritage homes still have a role to play in how our city evolves.
“We needed to restore this home to contribute to the Launceston story,” Roger explains. “It was a calling.”
In doing so, they’ve added more than just aesthetic value to the street. They’ve added a new chapter to East Launceston’s past. The result is a thoughtful example of what’s possible when restoration is led by care and respect.
Their home stands as a quiet and confident reflection of Tasmanian investment with soul. It is a place where style and storytelling go hand in hand, and where every polished surface speaks to something deeper. Care, community, and a love for the place we call home.
