House Design Solutions

21/08/2026

Glen Iris — Going Up Instead of Out 🏡

Not every block has room to spare. This Glen Iris family loved their street, their neighbours and their garden — they just needed more bedrooms. Rather than eat into the backyard, we designed an upper storey addition that adds the space they need while keeping the garden and the character of the original home intact.

Upper storey extensions take careful planning: existing footings and framing have to be assessed, the new roof form has to sit comfortably over the old, and the staircase needs to land in the right spot so the ground floor still works. Paul handles all of that personally — 30+ years of drafting and design experience, working one-on-one with you from first sketch through to selecting the right builder.

Thinking about adding a second storey to your home? We'd love to talk it through. 👉 housedesignsolutions.com.au

19/08/2026

A modest front entry for such a glorious home. Our Mitcham house design is single storey at the front opening up to be a double storey at the rear due to the slope of the site. #2026

17/08/2026

Brunswick East — A New Home That Fits Right In 🏡

Building new in an established inner-city street is one of the trickiest design briefs there is. The block is narrow, the neighbours are close, and the streetscape has a character all its own. For this Brunswick East knock-down-rebuild, our clients wanted a modern, light-filled family home — but one that still felt like it belonged on the street.

The result is a contemporary home with a restrained, well-proportioned facade that sits comfortably beside its older neighbours, while inside the plan makes the most of every millimetre of the site — clever zoning, generous ceiling heights and northern light pulled deep into the living areas.

Knock-down-rebuilds in suburbs like Brunswick East, Brunswick and Northcote come with plenty of planning considerations — overlays, neighbourhood character, overshadowing and setbacks. With 30+ years of experience, Paul works one-on-one with every client from the first sketch through to council approval and choosing the right builder. Thinking about rebuilding on your block? We'd love to talk it through.

📞 (03) 9842 4790 🌐 housedesignsolutions.com.au

17/08/2026

Before & After: Heritage Home Renovation in Fitzroy North 🏡

One of the most satisfying things we do at House Design Solutions is breathe new life into Melbourne's beautiful heritage homes — and this Fitzroy North transformation is a perfect example.

The owners loved the character of their classic Edwardian weatherboard but it was looking tired and in need of some TLC. We designed a complete renovation that included a modern extension to the rear for extra living space, while the front facade received a full refresh — a new Colorbond roof, crisp white and grey colour palette, restored gable detailing, and elegant new wrought iron fencing that suits the home's period perfectly. The result? A home that honours its heritage streetscape while feeling completely renewed.

Renovating in heritage areas like Fitzroy North takes careful design and experience navigating council overlays and neighbourhood character requirements. With over 30 years of architectural drafting experience, Paul works personally with every client to get the best possible result. If you've been thinking about extending or renovating your home, give us a call — we'd love to help.

📞 (03) 9842 4790 🌐 housedesignsolutions.com.au

15/08/2026

Victorian verandah refurbished as part of the project #2026

12/08/2026

🏡 Hawthorn East — a rear extension that respects the front

One of our favourite challenges: adding modern, light-filled living space to a period home without touching the character of the streetscape. In Hawthorn East we kept the heritage frontage exactly as it should be, then opened the rear into a generous open-plan kitchen, dining and living zone that spills straight out to the garden.

The trick is in the transition — ceiling heights, glazing and the way the new roof form sits behind the original. Get that right and the extension feels like it always belonged. Paul personally works through these details with every client, from the first sketch to helping you choose the right builder.

Thinking about extending rather than moving? We'd love to look at your home and talk through what's possible. 📐

08/08/2026

#2026 Port Melbourne

06/08/2026

over from

06/08/2026

Still magnificent in the , 3 decades after it was originally designed. #2026

04/08/2026