DESIGNERS: The home owners, Alex and Brendan Fevola
PRODUCT: Dual Shower and Tapware in Brushed Bronze
BACKGROUND
Located in Melbourne’s affluent suburb of Hampton, this newly renovated Edwardian home retains the charming characteristics emblematic of the era, while embracing its modern context. The home owners, Alex and Brendan Fevola, always dreamt of transforming an authentic, full of character older dwelling into a forever home for their family of six. So when this beautiful, almost century-old Bayside house became available in February 2021, the couple knew it was the home they had been waiting on – and so the one year-long renovation began.
“We wanted to update our Edwardian home keeping its authentic charm, but with a modern twist,” explains Alex. As a result, it was paramount for all the fittings to establish a cohesive and sympathetic dialogue with the dwelling’s architectural heritage, while elevating the home’s interiors to the contemporary standards.
CHALLENGE
Creating a spacious bathroom on the ground floor was one of the most crucial aspects of the renovation. The Fevolas rebuilt, rewired and replumbed the interior of the house in order to transform the tiny bathroom originally located at the front of the house into a comfortable, generous space filled with natural light. Here, striking the right balance between seamless functionality, contemporary amenities and harmonious design was particularly crucial. However, achieving this subtle balance didn’t come without its challenges.
“After ordering the products we realised that the builder hadn’t accounted for the railing when building the shelf in the shower,” Alex explains. Unfortunately, the oversight only became apparent after the home owners ordered both the tapware and the dual shower from Nero’s signature Opal collection. They were concerned that the issue would impact their ability to incorporate the desired shower heads.
The Fevolas rebuilt, rewired and replumbed the interior of the house in order to transformthe tiny bathroom originally located at the front of the house into a comfortable, generous space filled with natural light.
SOLUTION
Luckily, Nero came to the rescue. “They were amazing,” the home-owner enthuses. “The Nero team custom-made a new railing so we could still have the shower heads we wanted. They were fast and did it at minimal extra cost. I was blown away with their service and quality of product.”
The modern design language and intricate detailing of Nero’s stunning Opal collection bring a sense of quiet luxury into the renovated space. This is further elevated by the tapware’s Brushed Bronze finish which – while undeniably modern – harkens back to the classic aesthetic of the times gone by. Blending intuitive simplicity with pared-back opulence, the tapware gently complements both the modern composite marble bath, and the stunning arched window that accentuates the historical character of the interior.
“I can definitely recommend this range over others as I also renovated my holiday house just before I discovered Nero and the difference in quality is outstanding,” Alex enthuses. “I love the added benefit of the anti-fingerprint technology on the finish and the detail in the design of the Opal range complemented by design perfectly.” The incorporation of the Anti-Fingerprint (AF) technology and the Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) process makes for a highly durable surface that is easy to clean and will preserve its refined character for years to come – the perfect choice for Fevola’s forever home.
“Nero were professional and accommodating all the way,” Alex sums up. “No matter the challenge, they had a solution. It was refreshing after working with other suppliers.”