Combe Martin

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Combe Martin Combe Martin was built in 1939 by engineer and industrialist, Charles Ruwolt and his wife Emily

One of the most transformative changes by Kate Walker Design was the introduction of steel windows and doors to the back...
12/10/2026

One of the most transformative changes by Kate Walker Design was the introduction of steel windows and doors to the back half of the house in October 2025.

Previous owners had enlarged the original windows to bring in more natural light, but access to the garden was still limited to a single south-facing door. These images focus on our “Breakfast Room” (because every house needs a room just for breakfast) and the more seamless connection we now have between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Replacing the copper gutters and downpipes was one of the decisions that really tested my financial commitment to Combe ...
04/10/2026

Replacing the copper gutters and downpipes was one of the decisions that really tested my financial commitment to Combe Martin. Colorbond was available for a fraction of the price, and as I drove around Melbourne I saw plenty of period homes where it looked great.

But copper is copper. Using anything else would have felt like a compromise to the original design intent. A bit like wearing fake Diamond Coco jewellery and passing it off as the real thing 🤣

Thankfully the team at Riley Coad did an amazing job at not only polishing all the original fixtures but replicated the original rain heads too.

It’s hard to know when the stained glass window at Combe Martin was last cleaned, but given it requires scaffolding both...
28/09/2026

It’s hard to know when the stained glass window at Combe Martin was last cleaned, but given it requires scaffolding both inside and out, it’s fair to say it probably hasn’t happened too many times since 1939.

In January this year, Annika (aka Sadie) joined me for a cleaning session and the results were amazing. Colours and details that had been dulled over time suddenly came back to life.

As the renovation unfolds, you’ll begin to see just how much the stained glass window has influenced the interior design by Kate and her KWD team. Its colours, patterns and decorative details have become important reference points throughout Combe Martin.

Address

820 Esplanade
Mornington, VIC
3931

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