High Fidelity
In Sydney, a growing family carves more space and potential from a vintage bungalow.
Right from their very first visit, there was no doubt about it: this was the home for Nicole and Asfandiar Pestonji. When they walked into the three-bedroom property on Sydney’s north shore in 2010, they knew they’d found something special. Standing proud on a ridge, the 1920s bungalow with a rear extension was a beguiling blend of heritage and modern living – and it suited their young family down to the ground.
“We remember visiting the house and the sun beaming into the back,” says Asfandiar. “We were also attracted to the fact that, while the home was already comfortable and ready to live in, we could always extend upstairs if we needed more space.”
As fate would have it, a few years later the arrival of a third child kicked their extension plans into gear. “We were looking for one more bedroom and another bathroom,” says Nicole. “We were also keen to have another living space, and to capture water and city views.”
Architect Jon Hellowell drew up plans covering improvements to the first floor as well as the new level. Interior designer Natasha Levak, on board from early in the project, implemented and oversaw the design specifications and finetuned the room layouts. On completion of the nine-month construction by Built by Lucas, she worked closely with the owners to select every elementinside,fromarttofurnishings.Thesoleexception was an existing hardwood dining table, deemed rugged enough to cope with the rough and tumble of sons Oliver, now 12, Oscar, 10, and Noah, five.
“From the start, I sought to respect the 1920s-era bungalow build while also ensuring that the interior and exterior selections, from the front door to the backyard, were consistent,” says Natasha.
A long flight of sandstone steps up to the front door creates an air of anticipation; once inside, the curated interiors don’t disappoint. Rich materials and muted colours are set against a backdrop of pale walls and dark timber floors, with a nod to the classic American East Coast aesthetic the owners love. Upstairs, soft blue and grey accents reference newly captured views of the water.
The effect is timelessly elegant, yet uniformly inviting. “It was my intention to keep the overall feel relaxed, comfortable and fresh,” says Natasha. “Not too formal or overly precious.”
Past the entrance, the two original front rooms are designated Oliver’s and Oscar’s bedrooms. Continuing along the hall, there’s a bathroom, study zone and – a special inclusion requested by the wine-loving owners – a generous stone-clad wine cellar. The rear is given over to a refreshed and reconfigured kitchen, dining and familylivingspace,whichlooksouttothepoolandoutdoor entertaining area. Upstairs is Noah’s room and a powder room, plus a formal living area and the main suite.
It’s a wonderful outcome for the couple’s first renovation, and a testament to the power of creative minds striving towards a common goal. “Nicole and Asfandiar were very trusting of the design/build process and the merit of architect, builder and interior designer interacting and working as a team,” says Natasha.
“What struck us is how taking a holistic view can bring everything together so well, giving the home an amazing feel and aesthetic,” says Asfandiar. “We love it and could not be happier with the results.”
JP Hellowell, Newcastle, NSW; 0431 050 215 or jphellowell.com. Natasha Levak Interior Design, Sydney, NSW; natashalevak.com or @natashalevak. Built by Lucas, Alexandria, NSW; 0434 629 638.