When looking for a new home renovation project in 2019, Steph and Cameron Dienelt stumbled across the “worst house on the best street” in Unley Park and immediately knew the property had great potential.

“We purchased it and got cracking immediately on the renovation plans because we had to gut the entire home – it wasn’t liveable at all,” says Steph.

Steph, who was pregnant at the time, got her hands dirty alongside her builder husband and the pair took to stripping the home back to its bare bones.

“We started by removing all the wallpaper which was really fun. Cameron then just put his foot through the roof and we got rid of it all as, due to the condition it was in, it was easier to replace than restore.

“We then had to rewire everything and fix some of the timber floorboards before recarpeting, repainting and replacing all the hardware.”

Although they had to redo most of the home, Steph and Cameron were sure to reinstate as much of the home’s character charm as possible, updating the terrace and adding plastered rosettes to the ceilings.

“The house had an extension that was built around 30 years ago and we knocked it down so we just had the original 1920s home,” Steph says.

“Then, with the help of D’Andrea Architects, we recreated a similar layout to what the previous extension had with the kitchen, living and dining space out the back.

“That extension also had a pool that we were planning to keep, but after realising how hard it is to restore a pool, we decided to rip it out and put a new one in.”

The new extension wraps around the pool, offering an open-plan living space alongside an alfresco dining pavilion that creates a seamless flow when entertaining indoors and outdoors.

“Because Cameron is a builder, he did a great job of getting it done really quickly so it didn’t take as long as we would have expected,” Steph says.

The couple was ready to move in by Christmas of 2020, and the whole family came to enjoy the brand-new home.

“It is an especially great time of year to host a party because of the pool, and the kitchen is perfectly situated so you can get everything prepared while still being part of the fun.”

The home now boasts an unsurpassable blend of old and new, tying timeless elements of classic and modern living into a single abode.

The grand master bedroom overlooks the landscaped front yard and park beyond, and an adjacent bedroom has been converted into a luxurious en suite and walk-in-robe.

Through the grand hallway emerges the modern extension with its timeless palette and signature windows that open completely to the back yard.

The alfresco dining space boasts a barbecue perfect for cooking up a poolside storm during the summer months and a pizza oven where family and friends can gather over a bottle of wine during winter.

The home’s large front yard has been landscaped with a simple design of cut lawn and box hedges so as to not hide the home’s charming facade.

“The large front yard is great on what is a bit of a busier street,” Steph says.

“The long driveway has been great as well because we can sit on the front verandah and watch the kids scoot around on their scooters.”

With a new project in the works, Steph and Cameron are ready to farewell the home, but say they miss the property already.

“It has plenty of character, but it also has the modern lifestyle that everybody loves,” Steph says.

“It is a real turnkey home so the next owners can just move in and enjoy.”

The sale is being handled by Stephanie Williams and John Williams of Williams Real Estate.