A Hamptons holiday vibe comes to a split-level house and changes the lives of its owners

A Sydney family called on the experts to create a Hamptons-style home where they can ‘holiday’ all year

Renovations can take on a life of their own – and what might begin as a minor update of a room or two can escalate into an overhaul of the entire house, as many will attest. But it’s often for the best of reasons. Just ask Sydneysiders

Deb and Peter. “What was originally a desire to move the kitchen downstairs became a complete makeover,” says Deb of their then-ageing split-level brick home. “It was effectively a case of ‘Let’s start again!’”

Yet when the couple moved their family into the “very livable” house a decade ago, they initially put off any thoughts of renovation. “We wanted to wait until the boys were old enough that they wouldn’t be drawing on walls and sofas, and pushing trikes into walls,” says Deb of sons Harry and Jake. And they have no regrets about becoming well-acquainted with their home before the revamp. “The best advice we had was to live in the house for a while to understand where the sun and light fell during the different seasons, and how we wanted to use it.”

In its pre-makeover state, the three-bedroom house featured living spaces on split levels, a less-than-ideal arrangement for keen entertainers with young children. “Each time we had a barbecue, we’d be up and down the stairs between the kitchen and a very small deck,” says Deb. Engaging architect David Neate of Neate Projects and builder Luke Fallon of Fallon Building Projects,

Deb and Peter began by contemplating what should stay and what should go. The conclusion? “It was a case of almost nothing should stay!” says Deb with a smile. “Just about every wall and core structure needed replacing.”

The couple then enlisted the expertise of interior designer Sonja Kritzler, putting forward their vision for a timeless Hamptons-inspired makeover. “They wanted the house to be light and fresh with lots of white – nothing that was going to date,” says Sonja. “I wanted an undertone of softness to create a harmonious atmosphere. The spaces had to meet the needs of the whole family and have a classical vibe. We also wanted the children to be just as relaxed within the home as their parents.”

‘‘I call it the ‘barefoot resort’ as we’ve opted for no shoes in the house. We have lots of rattan shoe boxes at the front door and in the garage’’ PETER, HOMEOWNER

Happily, the project proved a wonderful meeting of creative minds.“Deb and I were aligned aesthetically,” says Sonja, “so selecting the soft furnishings as well as the finishes and fixtures was not at all difficult. It also made it easy to create a beautiful flow through the home.” Adds Deb: “I was an Instagram and Pinterest addict, so Sonja really helped me to keep things consistent. It was important to invest in designs that were not going to date, and keep the tones neutral so that we could add colour with accessories and change them over time.”

Basking in light and space, the ground level now showcases a striking kitchen and butler’s pantry, soaring ceilings in the living zones and an abundance of concealed storage, with the upstairs housing the family’s bedrooms. A restrained base of crisp white on the walls allows highlights of organic timber, tactile Elba marble and deep navy accents to sing.

“There’s the contrast of the navy and white within the joinery, and the navy is also echoed in some of the furniture selections and the front door,” says Sonja. “The Elba marble is the hero in the home and has been used in varying applications, from the benchtops to the fireplace hearth and the bathroom walls.”

Inviting the outdoors in was also pivotal to the brief and the result delivers in spades. Expanses of glazing reveal the garden by Darren Kerr of Appleseed Gardening, with views of the leafy surrounds and a shimmering new pool. “Our outlook is so calming,” says Deb. “We love the outdoor spaces, especially during the summer.” For Peter, the backyard has become a far more practical place, with plenty of room for a game of cricket (a must) and to entertain, with space on the large deck for the couple to recline while keeping an eye on the kids. “It’s perfect for summer afternoons with a southerly breeze,” he says.

Deb and Peter say the outcome has far exceeded their expectations. “The house is amazing,” says Deb. “There’s space for us all to be together and room for us to spread out when we need to.” Adds Peter: “This is the first full summer we’ve had here and we don’t have to leave the house. We’re on holidays in our own home, which is exactly what we wanted.” To see more of Sonja Kritzler’s work, visit sonjakritzlerdesign.com. Contact architect David Neate at david.neate@neateprojects.com.au; find Fallon Building Projects at fallonbuilding.com.au; and Appleseed Gardening at appleseedgardening.com.au

‘‘My vision for clients is to always create a sanctuary, a place where they can stop and recharge’’ SONJA KRITZLER, INTERIOR DESIGNER

POOL AREA Peter and son Jake on the low-maintenance Millboard Composite Decking encasing the new pool zone. FACADE (opposite) Scyon Linea weatherboard cladding in a crisp white tone called K2 by Porter’s Paints brings welcome charm to the home.

KITCHEN (both pages) Deb and Harry at the island bench featuring bespoke brass edging. Natural stone reigns supreme here, with luxe Elba marble on the splashback and benchtops. The white overhead joinery in two-pack Porter’s Paints K2 contrasts with the island front in Taubmans Black Flame. Another glam touch is the Volker Haug ‘Big Kick’ pendant light. “The brass adds an extra layer and is repeated throughout the home,” says interior designer Sonja. TBS stools from Studio of Adam Lynch.

LIVING ROOM A pair of Harvest leather chairs are partnered with a plush Andy sofa, all from Jardan. The textured Armadillo & Co ‘Ghan Berber’ rug, sitting on engineered European oak boards from Precision Flooring, centres the chill- out zone. The Hay tray table is from Cult. DINING (opposite) Deb and Peter love the Jardan ‘Otto’ table and benches, teamed with leather TBS dining chairs from Studio of Adam Lynch. Illuminating the dining zone is a shapely set of Arturo Onn pendant lights by Jardan.

Deb and Peter were after flooring that would last. They wanted an elegant yet practical surface so chose durable European oak floorboards. As well as having an interesting texture and soft tone, their well-used areas should look just as good in years to come. BALCONY The main bedroom opens out to a sun-drenched balcony overlooking the pool. It’s furnished with a wicker sofa from Byron Bay Hanging Chairs and a Hurdle Tray side table from Dowel Jones. LIVING (opposite) A built-in day bed with Jardan cushions makes an inviting spot for Jake to relax. The Gubi ‘Grässhoppa’ floor lamp was ordered through Cult. Curtains in Westbury fabric by My Workroom.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT Middle of Nowhere ‘Bjorn’ oval mirror (65cm x 100cm), $365, Life Interiors. By Lassen ‘Kubus’ bowl, $829, Designstuff. Big Kick pendant light in Brass, $3905, Volker Haug. TBS 650 stool, POA, Studio of Adam Lynch. Ghan Berber knot rug (1.7m x 2.4m), $1690, Armadillo & Co. Manhattan armchair, $545, Byron Bay Hanging Chairs. Otto bench, $2448, Jardan. River Stone resin vase in Petal Swirl, $115 (large), Dinosaur Designs.

MAIN BEDROOM Floor-to- ceiling blush drapes together with a Naturally Cane ‘Biscayne’ bedhead and Grazia & Co bedside table give the parents’ retreat a stylish look. Duomo wall light from Nightworks Studio. Bed linen, In Bed. ENSUITE (opposite) Classic subway tiles cover the walls of Deb and Peter’s bathroom, while Elba marble tops the vanity and forms the splashback in diamond-shaped tiles from Artedomus. The Piper Smoke pendant lights are from Jardan. Oval mirrors, Middle of Nowhere. Basins, Cibo.