Pump Up The Glam
With the renovation completed just prior to lockdown commencing, the owners of this Sydney property have enjoyed spending time at home more than most.
Drawing attention to the details delivered a stylish result for the owners of this updated 1920s home in Sydney.
SOPHISTICATED TAILORED ELEMENTS LET THE ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS SHINE.
“IT’S THE COMBINATION OF DECORATIVE AND ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS THAT MAKE THE HOME FEEL COMPLETE.” Trudy Millard, interior designer
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, one lucky family of four found solace in this elegant two-storey haven in Sydney’s east. “We scrambled to move them in prior to the initial lockdown period, as we didn’t know when those rules would lift,” says Trudy Millard, the interior designer entrusted with the home’s renovation. “I know the teenagers appreciated being in their new rooms when they had to homeschool too.” The owners bought the circa-1920 house in mid 2018. “We loved its layout and character, but it was in need of an update,” says the owner. “The scope of works initially included a new kitchen, redesigning the bathrooms and new joinery, but we soon realised that we would need to invest in the details to truly achieve our vision.”
The couple’s brief was for a luxurious, understated home filled with functional, intimate and meticulously designed spaces. “The house had beautiful bones and was in great condition, but we wanted to strip back all the later additions to make the most of the original details,” says Trudy.
Starting from the ground floor and working upwards, Trudy redesigned almost every space to better meet the family’s needs. The front door opens to a grand foyer with dramatic staircase. Immediately to the left is an open-plan space that is divided into formal dining and living areas. Under the stairs, a powder room was repurposed as wine storage and a new powder room created closer to
the communal areas. The remainder of the ground floor is given over to the kitchen and casual living/dining.
The kitchen was reconfigured with the family’s love of entertaining in mind. There’s a generous central island, abundant storage within all-white joinery and a hidden butler’s pantry, complete with chandelier. “The dirty work is done in the butler’s pantry so the owners can simply close the door on any prep mess, keeping the kitchen clean and presentable for guests,” says Trudy.
Upstairs, all three bedrooms were refreshed, with the main bedroom suite receiving the most significant changes. “It was a huge room, but difficult to furnish due to the placement of the door and windows ,” T rudy says. Her solution was to steal space from one side of the room to create a dressing room and donate more space to the ensuite on the other side, reducing the footprint of the bedroom but maximising the functionality of the suite. “I know a large bedroom feels grand to a lot of people, but I prefer a cosier room furnished with statement pieces,” she says.
The design team was ever-mindful of the home’s architectural era, including elements such as wallpaper, handpainted joinery, and dark timber flooring that were common at the time. Touches of marble throughout turn up the luxe too. “The tradies were a bit surprised by the choice of polished marble, as a honed finish is the more usual preference,” says Trudy. “The polished surface has a jewel-like effect and, I think, adds to the glamour overall.”
Lighting differs from room to room, each piece sourced to complement the textiles and mood of the space. Ornate archways, traditional wall panelling and intricate ceiling roses are all new but pertinent additions. The colour scheme – blue, white and navy – provides an elegant backdrop against which these architectural elements can shine.
This attention to detail has certainly been well received by the owners. “The joinery was especially important,” says the owner. “I love the fact that it was handpainted by a passionate and highly experienced craftsman. Each piece is purpose-designed and made.”
Outside, the gardens were designed to bring multiple levels of joy for the family. There’s an expansive lawn, pool area, established gardens and separate covered sitting and dining areas to make use of according to the season. “My father was a keen gardener and gained much joy from giving my mother flowers from the garden. I wanted a version of that for my family,” says the owner. “The outdoor living area is a really lovely space to sit and enjoy a family breakfast or cocktails in the evening, protected from the elements,” adds Trudy.
Although there are less restrictions on movement now, this family prefers spending time at home. Fair enough – with a house like this, who needs to go out?