Surprise Package

The renovation of this 1870s home in Sydney was bumpy but beautiful.

This 19th-century Sydney harbourside gem has been given a family-friendly makeover.

Sometimes, success hinges on seizing an opportunity when it arises, as Natalie and Mark Braund know well.TheSydneycouplehadalreadysecuredapproval for an extension of their previous house in the inner west, which was proving a squeeze for their family of five. Yet when this property came up for sale a few suburbs away, they followed their hearts and snapped it up. The grandly scaled home, built in the 1870s, was a heritage gem, situated near the harbour and green parklands.

“I loved the high ceilings, the light in the main bedroom and the overall character of the house,” says Natalie.

The Braunds were keen to bring it into the 21st century by expanding the casual social spaces and providing play space for their sons: Luke, now 11, Angus, nine, and Charlie, seven. Also on their to-do list was the kidney-shaped pool. “It engulfed the whole backyard,” says Natalie. “I hated it.”

Inresponsetothebrief,architectSimonVaughanextended and reconfigured the rear ground floor, installing a generous kitchen and casual dining space, plus an outdoor terrace for modern indoor-outdoor living. A newly excavated basement level houses a gym, cellar and extra bathroom.

Upstairs, two oversized rooms were converted into three still-generous bedrooms. A new balcony off the upgraded main suite now brings the owners closer to their harbour and bridge views, and ceilings in all four bedrooms have been lifted for a greater sense of space.