Some tender loving care was all a small heritage-style terrace needed to materialise into a light-filled family abode
By Jordana Reid
Photography Enzo Amato
Before renovations, owner Nicky Line described her Sydney terrace as “shabby, unrenovated and unloved”. With a young family, Nicky and husband Paul wanted to create a light, bright family home with a strong sense of space without losing the building’s original charm. Although countless terraces have been renovated to reflect more contemporary tastes, the owners of this property were wary of the potential losses. “So many terraces have been stripped and turned into open-plan white modern boxes,” explains Nicky. “Here we’ve added space and light but remained in touch with the heritage of the house.” The result is flawless and light-filled.
Nicky describes her design inspiration as Hampton’s style meets English Edwardian cottage, an aesthetic that has been fully realised in this renovation. By transforming the layout of the home, the owners have maximised the living space. “We didn’t want one big box for downstairs, so we kept some nib walls and put in a step for height variation.” A wall was removed between the two downstairs rooms, and the side return wall at the rear of the home was removed and rebuilt so that the back of the house is now full width. Nicky’s favourite room in the house is the kitchen, which has become a focal point of the renovation. “It’s so light with so much room. It seems we all live around the kitchen bench,” she adds.
The biggest splurge in the renovation was the polished concrete floor in the kitchen space. This choice of material has added a modern touch without detracting from the classic aesthetic and adds to this room’s seamless and cohesive finish. Another costly feature was the timber bi-fold doors which open out from the new adjoining kitchen and dining space to create a sense of flow and welcome in the natural light the couple so desired.
Upstairs, an internal wall has been added to create a third bedroom, allowing ample space for both children and adults. “The master bedroom has gone from rundown to a real haven,” says Nicky.
Timber panelling with a natural finish was used to enclose the new courtyard at the rear of the property.
“We didn’t want the house stripped of its original features. It was important to retain character with a contemporary and light finish,” she adds. Period features such as the front door and brickwork have been restored. Good environmental performance was considered in many aspects of the design.
“Instead of installing air-conditioning, we added a retractable awning to the rear of the house, which faces east, to create shade from virtually all-day sun and prevent the house from overheating. We created as much cross-ventilation as possible with doors and windows.”
This home evolved from outdated to timeless and relaxed.
Project Particulars
This project was designed by
EXCELL DESIGN CONSULTANTS
49 Monash Road, Gladesville NSW 211
Tel 02 9879 6944
Email exldes@tpg.com.au
This project was built by
MBM GROUP
Tel 02 9700 1977
Email mbmgroup@bigpond.net.au
Web www.mbmgroup.net.au
Cost $160,000 excluding furniture
Flooring
Kitchen and dining: Polished concrete — Boral. Colour is canvas. Left it matt, no gloss
Living: Floorboards blackbutt with grey stain and tongue oil
Bedroom: Original floorboards in bedroom. Bedroom at rear of the house features carpet
Stair: Carpet
Outdoor: Stone pavers from Amber Tiles Walls
Kitchen: Dulux Antique White USA was used throughout house. Brickwork was treated, bagged and painted
Dining and living: Dulux Antique White USA
Bedroom: Dulux Whisper White
Stair: Dulux Hog Bristle
Outdoor: Dulux Arava
Kitchen
Benchtop: CaesarStone Bondi
Splashback: Paris tiles — bistro tiles from Amber Tiles
Cabinetry: Freedom Furniture
Appliances: Whirlpool, fridge is Fisher & Paykel Bathroom Fittings
Cabinetry: Joinery from AN Furniture
Basin: Cass Brothers — Laufen
Tiles/walls and floor: Stone mosaic from Amber Tiles
Sanitary fixtures
Taps: Cass Brothers, Newform
Shower/bath: Kaldewei from Cass Brothers. Showerhead rain
Lighting
Downlights were used throughout house
Windows + External Doors
Frames: Original sash windows were maintained everywhere. Timber bi-folds in kitchen/diner by Stegbar
Outdoor
Roof: Original
Furniture: Supplied by mamagreen furniture