Buena Vista
Thanks to a chic renovation, life’s a beach for the owner of this Sydney home.
Annie Benjamin was only planning to have a little stickybeak when she called into this 1920s duplex that had been passed in at auction in Sydney’s east. But one glimpse of the home’s generous proportions, abundant light and ocean views changed her intentions quickly. An experienced interior designer, Annie could see past the tired decor and felt well-equipped to deal with the challenges of an older building. “The home was rather derelict but had the advantage of an additional flat underneath,” says Annie. “Although the interior spaces were in desperate need of updating, they were functional. The exterior was in a shocking state, however. It needed a new roof, there were no gutters or down pipes, some windows didn’t open, or once opened, wouldn’t close, and there was no garden – just a concrete driveway that led to a largely unusable, asbestos-filled garage.”
Many homeowners are tempted to get stuck right into renovations, but Annie understood the importance of spending a significant amount of time in the spatialplanning phase. She conjured up a new layout for the home, which she shares with her husband and their staffy-cross, Kingsley. The bedrooms would be relocated to the front of the property while the rear would be opened up to >
“NATURAL AND TIMELESS MATERIALS ARE MY PREFERENCE .” Annie Benjamin, owner and interior designer
make way for an expansive kitchen and living zone that takes full advantage of those views. Large sliding doors glide into a specially built cavity in the wall, so the deck becomes an extension of the living space.
Downstairs, the modest garden includes a paved entertaining area and small pool; above, the roof terrace offersyetanotherplacefromwhichtosoakupthesurrounds. “The terrace is pretty special – high enough to feel dramatic, big enough to entertain on, but still quite intimate,” says Annie. “And those views always make me pause.”
After addressing the structural issues, Annie turned her attention to the interiors and discovered that being her own client could be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, she was free to use all of her favourite design devices – from natural materials to colourful artworks – with absolute impunity, but on the other, she experienced a certain degree of stress about botching the entire thing. “I spent a lot >
“OLD AND LOVED IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS NEW … NO HOME FEELS LIVED IN WITHOUT THIS ELEMENT .” Annie
of time deliberating my decisions. I felt under pressure to achieve something beautiful,” she says.
Looking around the revamped home, it’s clear Annie has done just that. The new kitchen is a beautifully classic design, referencing the heritage of the home through its use of glass-fronted storage and understated timber, stone and brass finishes. Dramatic light fittings and forest green cabinets ensure it holds its own against the attentiongrabbing views.
Indeed, colour is used throughout as a budget-friendly decorating device, most notably in the kitchen, but also in the carefully selected artworks and richly patterned rug that anchors the kitchen and living area. “This is our home, not a showroom,” Annie says. “Old and loved is just as important as new, and in my opinion, no home feels finished or lived in without this element.”
Ten years after purchasing the property Annie and her husband are still enamoured with the duplex. She says she is pleased she took a slow-and-steady approach to this momentous task. “The budget was tight and I could have cut corners to get it done faster, but there are some things you can’t undo.”
Annie Benjamin Design, Paddington, NSW; 0408 969 823 or anniebenjamin.com.au.