Let There Be Light
Working from the inside out was the key to success at this property in Sydney’s east.
When renovating this fourbedroom house in Sydney’s east, the owners made the unusual choice to revamp the interior before updating the exterior. “That was simply so we could live in the property while the building approvals were processed,” says Deborah Herrigan, who lives here with her husband, Mike Weale, their daughter Charlotte, 21, and son Max, 18.
The inside-out approach proved a challenge for interior designer Kate Bell. “It was difficult toenvisagethehouseasawhole,asthewindow and door openings would change when the main build began,” she says. Despite the tricky start, such is the synergy between Kate’s interiors and the exterior structure, by architect David Smyth of Smyth & Smyth, that most people think the home is a new build.
The family already had an idyllic home in nearby Bondi Beach, but it lacked some desirable luxuries, such as a pool and home cinema. “Mike and Charlotte considered our last home our forever home,” says Deborah. “But I love the challenge of finding an old house and creating something amazing.” She recruited Max to Team Move and the pair set to work looking for the best options.
In 2015, the family walked into this 1980s home on top of a hill. It was north-facing and double-brick, with a great layout arranged over three levels, including a self-contained studio with kitchenette on the ground floor (street level). “The living area opened to a huge northfacing terrace at the front of the home and the dining space at the rear opened onto the garden,” says Deborah. But there was definitely work to be done. “The red-brick cladding was ugly and the interior was decked out with shag-pile carpet, big flowery tiles and flocked wallpaper,” she adds.
Mike wasn’t so keen, but Deborah knew she had an ace up her sleeve: Kate, who masterminded the interiors of the family’s previous home. “We wanted a sophisticated and comfortable beach house,” says Deborah. “We like light colours, but didn’t want the home to feel clinical, so asked Kate to incorporate stone, timber – and an element of surprise.”
Kate completely stripped the interior, removing just one wall on the first floor to open up the kitchen, dining, and living spaces. An existing wine cellar on the ground floor was converted into a home cinema.
Deborah wanted the home to have both open plan areas and more intimate spaces. “It’s a big house, but it can sometimes feel like there is nowhere to escape to in open-plan layouts,” she says. On the first floor, the generous kitchen, dining and living areas are distinctly zoned for a sense of separation. There’s also a bar area in the living zone and a private study tucked behind a wall of joinery. Slatted screens, differing joinery treatments, colours and finishes also help demarcate the zones.
On the first floor, pale timber-veneer joinery creates a light, beachy feel. It’s teamed with soft-grey cabinetry and a concrete benchtop on the island bench. In the living room/bar area, meanwhile, the joinery is a darker gunmetal shade, with a zinc-topped bench and a Carrara Gioia marble work surface.
Decor sorted, attention turned to the outside of the building. “Our brief to David was to make the exterior more striking and less red-brick box,” says Deborah. Raising the window and door heights proved most effective; the home is now flooded with light. Elsewhere, white render, timber and sandstone replaced the red-brick cladding, and the pitched roof gave way to flat. David also relocated the entrance from the side to the front of the home.
Today, even the most sceptical members of the family are smitten. “This home is a beautiful sanctuary for us all,” she says. “Charlotte and Mike are well and truly beyond holding onto our last home.”
Kate Bell Interior Architecture & Design, Paddington, NSW; katebelldesign.com.
Smyth & Smyth, Rosebery, NSW;
(02) 9662 2720 or smythandsmyth.com.au.