Welcome to my home
Tom and Belinda Williams struck lucky when they discovered a dilapidated house for sale on a tree-lined street in one of Sydney’s soughtafter suburbs. Having renovated a smaller home in 2010, they were ready for a new challenge. ‘Although it was built in 1890, it was neglected and devoid of any original features,’ says Tom. ‘The kitchen and living room were on the top floor to make the most of the views, but this meant the garden was hardly used. We briefed MCK Architects to create a modern, yet timeless, home with a seamless connection to the outside.’
As well as building a rear extension, the couple, who both work in design (juicydesign.com) incorporated a 6m-wide side passageway to gain space for an openplan kitchen, dining area and double-height living space overlooking the garden. ‘The side extension acts as a natural lightbox for the house, while the smaller rooms, like the kids’ bedrooms, are on the shadier side.’ Tom chose to replace the stairs, too. ‘The original stairs were very narrow and steep,’ he says. ‘I wanted them to be a comfortable experience with fewer, wider treads.’
Outside, the couple installed a small pool. ‘There are strict safety regulations, so we raised the pool to eliminate the need for fencing around it,’ says Tom. ‘It’s small, but it’s perfect for getting the kids confident in the water. We also built a garage with a guest bedroom above it. Parking spaces add a lot to the house value in this area, so it was a worthwhile extravagance.’
But the 18-month build wasn’t straightforward.
‘It took six months to get planning permission as we had to build around trees, including a protected eucalyptus,’ says Tom. But the wait was worth it. ‘Now we’ve settled in, my favourite feature is the living area,’ says Belinda. ‘But for Tom, it’s definitely the pool.’
“We love the buzzy location and the elevated views over Sydney and the Harbour Bridge”