Heaven Sent

Thanks to thoughtful touches by a style-savvy couple, this church conversion in Perth is singing once more.

- Anna Flanders

Houses H G

DINING Now integrated into the wall of shelving, the existing Hokusai wallpaper mural is a talking point without dominating the narrow space. Tenille and Jimmy designed the 2.4m table; Tenille’s dad Laurence built it for them. For similar stools, try Innerspace. Shelving designed by Tenille and Jimmy, made by Tenille’s uncle Ron. Jarrah flooring (throughout). Designer buy: Established & Sons ‘Torch S6’ cluster lights, $3930, Living Edge. KITCHEN Extending the cabinetry under the stairs makes use of every centimetre of space. Vinyl-wrap cabinetry in Natural White. Maximum Italian porcelain splashback, Artedomus. Existing benchtop. Smeg dishwasher.

When Tenille and Jimmy inspected this inner-Perth apartment in 2014, they found the contemporary-meets-heritage features instantly appealing. The apartment itself was quite new, one of a block of two-level apartments converted from a deconsecrated church in 2005. But it was the potential of the place that really won them over: filmmaker Jimmy saw the possibility for a third level and interior designer Tenille knew how to make it happen.

“Jimmy thought we could remove the ceiling and build a second mezzanine up into the ceiling void,” says Tenille. “It seemed feasible so we took the plunge.” What followed was a 12-month renovation, during which the couple lived on site (plus adopted a short-legged distraction in the form of Django the dachshund).

Together, the trio slept on a mattress on the ground floor of the 3.5x8m kitchen/dining/living area for the first six months while their bedroom above was shifted to a new third level and a new living area installed in the middle with the existing bathroom.