Some homes just speak to you the moment you step inside. When Theresa Hoogland of Velvet Developments walked into 2 Anderson Street, Pascoe Vale, she felt that unmistakable spark — the renovator’s intuition.

“Good bones, a huge backyard, and a touch of heritage charm,” she recalls. “It was the kind of place that makes you think, ‘She’s got potential — let’s give her a glow-up.’”

And that’s exactly what she did. Theresa envisioned more than a cosmetic facelift; she imagined a warm, single-level family retreat, drenched in northern light and layered with character.

The first hurdle? Linking the existing home to a new extension while keeping the budget in check. Theresa’s design collaborators at Wardle delivered a game-changer: an internal light-court garden framed by a three-metre window.

“It floods the house with natural light, connects the old and new wings, and gives us that lush green moment,” she says. “It looked beautiful on paper and even better in person — zero regrets.”

It’s a powerful example of how smart design thinking can achieve multiple outcomes — daylight, flow, and cost efficiency — when you bring your creative team together early. On the exterior, Theresa leaned into durability and detail. “We partnered with James Hardie on the façade, using Stria Cladding Fine Texture from the Hardie Architectural Collection,” she says. Installed vertically, the cladding’s fine grooves and crisp lines lend the extension a strong architectural edge.

“The interlocking boards arrived pre-primed and ready to paint, so the team finished installation in just a couple of days — fast, seamless, and beautifully refined.” The end result is a timeless, low-maintenance exterior that blends craft, performance, and modern curb appeal.

Theresa’s projects are never shy — and this one certainly didn’t hold back. “Beige was never invited to this party,” she laughs.

Her unexpected muse? A brightly patterned glasses-cleaning cloth. “I showed it to the BuildHer design team, and they instantly understood the mood I was chasing.” The finished interior bursts with personality: confident colours, tactile finishes, and layered warmth — proof that true inspiration can come from anywhere.

Perhaps the home’s greatest success lies in how gracefully the heritage frontage flows into the modern rear addition.

Theresa restored the front’s decorative mouldings, ceiling roses, and fretwork to honour its past, then introduced open, light-filled spaces through the back. “We didn’t erase history — we refreshed it and let it shine,” she says.

The mix of old-world charm and new-age comfort gives the home soul and long-term value — a formula every renovator dreams of achieving.

One of Theresa’s biggest revelations was discovering how lighting could elevate every decision she made.

“I used to think lighting was just functional,” she admits. “Then I worked with Jodie from About Space, and it completely changed how I viewed the home.”

Together they developed a purposeful lighting plan — soft, diffused light for the living zones, a moody glow for the dining area, and bright practicality for working spaces. “Once I understood how much lighting shapes atmosphere,” Theresa says, “I wanted every fitting to feel intentional — not just bright, but beautiful.”

Anchoring the dining zone is the sculptural Sputnik Pendant from About Space — a true conversation starter.

“It had that perfect mix of mid-century nostalgia and bold modern energy,” Theresa explains. “It anchors the open-plan space and ties the living, dining, and kitchen zones together.”

When evening falls, the Sputnik’s warm golden radiance transforms the room, making it both glamorous and welcoming — a design statement that defines the home’s atmosphere.

While the open-plan hub is the undeniable showpiece — think curved terrazzo, timber underfoot, Kalamata joinery, and a custom steel island — Theresa’s design intent was always about everyday function.

From the practical laundry and mudroom to the expansive backyard where kids can play freely, every element was designed for family living. “We didn’t create a display home,” she says. “We created a home with soul — one that’s ready to be lived in and loved.”

The Project Anderson is more than a renovation; it’s a celebration of vision, courage, and collaboration.

From Wardle’s clever design integration to About Space’s considered lighting, every choice works in harmony to create a home that glows — literally and emotionally.

It’s proof that when design and light align, the result isn’t just beauty — it’s warmth, connection, and heart.