Kayla Itsines’s Malvern home
Fitness guru Kayla Itsines and husband Jae Woodroffe take us through their Malvern makeover, which has family at heart.
Kayla Itsines could live anywhere in the world. The self-made millionaire behind world-leading female fitness app, Sweat, travels frequently for business and nurtures a growing portfolio of property investments.
But she continues to call South Australia home, where she and husband Jae Woodroffe have opened the doors to a meticulously renovated 1912 villa at Malvern.
While the pair officially moved to Queensland two years ago with children Arna, 6, and Jax, 3, they return frequently – and, now, they have a new place to call home.
“We live in both places,” Kayla says.
“My grandparents are here; my parents are also here. We both grew up in this area … at one point we had Jae’s mum, Jae’s sister, us, my sister – all within streets of each other.
“Having a home here just feels good.”
The renovation comes nearly three years after Kayla, 34, and Jae flipped their previous SA home at 55 Sheffield Street – also in Malvern – for a record-breaking $7.375m.
But this time, they’re staying put – at least for now.
Zane Morgan and the team at Morgan Build delivered the “design-forward” transformation of the return verandah villa, blending 20th century charm with contemporary comforts. It included a major structural overhaul to the original house, alongside a light-filled extension that forms the heart of the family home.
Preserving the sandstone facade was paramount, and the verandah was painstakingly restored after strengthening the property’s footings.
“We wanted to keep the front facade because it’s beautiful, having that heritage-look home,” Kayla says.
“We used the same team at Morgan Build for Sheffield – they just know us; they know what we like, and we trust their input as well.”
Original 12-foot ceilings and Georgian-style archways also were retained, making for a grand first impression upon entry. Creamy white walls, fabric pendant shades and soft-toned herringbone floorboards equally enhance and add warmth to the hallway; the considered use of timber carried through to recessed timber door frames, custom cabinetry and a feature wall-to-ceiling wrap that leads to the extension.
The front, heritage-end of the home houses the kids’ bedrooms, a media room and impressive primary suite, which boasts a large fireplace and built-in wardrobes that act as the “walls” of the space. The king-sized bed is centre of the room; an oversized upholstered bedhead doubling as a partition wall concealing a luxurious bath and vanity. Reeded glass doors to the bedroom offer privacy while allowing light to filter through, while a large marble threshold adds an extra touch of luxe.
Time outdoors is big for the summer-loving family, and the open living extension is designed to bring the outside in.
“What’s important to us is having a one-level house – we have kids – and being able to see the kids in the pool from the kitchen,” Kayla says.
“This is our living room, our kitchen, our dining … but it feels like you’re outside because there is so much natural light.”
That natural light floods through clerestory windows, amplifying the sense of height, space and airiness, as well as wide glass doors and windowpanes.
“You actually feel like you’re standing outside,” Kayla adds.
When asked what family life is like, Kayla and Jae echo the sentiments of many parents of young kids: “Chaos,” laughs Jae, 35, adding that the kids “absolutely love” their new home.
“In the mornings the kids will get up, run into our bedroom, then we’ll all come up here and head outside,” Kayla says, gesturing towards a courtyard that sits separate to the pool area. There are plans to plant an olive tree in the space – a nod to Kayla’s Greek heritage.
“Jae and I will make a coffee and we’ll open up those doors, and the kids will bring out their toys and play.
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“Then we’ll come back in here, cook breakfast, eat at the table, then walk down to the coffee shop, Abbotts – we meet all our friends there.”
High end finishes amplify the kitchen living area, including brass tapware – though that was a “pain point”, Kayla laughs.
“Jae wanted real brass,” she says. “When I originally saw the towel racks, they were blue, and I was like, ‘I hate it!’
“But everyone told me it was going to change and sure enough – it develops a natural patina as it ages … now it has more of that gold colour. It looks really good.”
A generous butler’s pantry, complete with a second sink and dishwasher, makes for neat and tidy food preparation. There’s not an appliance in sight – even the light switch covers are camouflaged into the splashback.
Airconditioning units are concealed within the timber television unit (the TV itself can also be hidden when not in use), while underfloor heating keeps the pitter patter of little feet warm in winter.
Interior stylist Hong Henwood helped to bring the minimalist, but warm, vision to life, with contemporary-look furniture from Jardan and Coco Republic.
Surprisingly, the pair opted not to include a home gym.
“We’ve worked out over many years that having a gym in the house – we don’t use it,” Kayla says. “It’s amazing for people whose lives aren’t the gym, but once you work in the industry, it’s like your work is in your house.
“I want my home to feel like my sanctuary with my family, and then I’ll go to the gym!”
Instead, Kayla’s favourite room in the house is her laundry – tucked away, beside a powder room.
“I love cleaning,” Kayla says. “As soon as my kids come home, my son never wears shoes, and he’ll run and jump on his bed and I’m like, ‘oh well now I need to wash the whole thing!’
Jae’s favourite room, while incomplete at time of writing, is the garage, which will feature polished concrete floors and a large mirror.
However, the pair agree that the best part of their renovation is that it “feels like a family home”.
“I love that our family and friends can just walk in and feel so welcome,” Kayla says.
“Everyone can sit around the table.”
This article first appeared in the March 2026 issue of SALIFE magazine.
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