Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Federation-Era House, Renovated and Restored
A contemporary two-storey extension respects the heritage of this Federation-era house, without freezing it in time
The heritage conservation area in Glebe, NSW, features a diverse range of architectural styles, dating back to the late-19th century. Victorian and Federation-era houses dominate the neighbourhood with single-storey weatherboard and stone cottages lining the streets. More than a century old, many of these houses have been renovated to create more space, bring in natural light and forge a connection with the garden. This was the case for Palm Tree House by Kate Mountstephens, director of Kate Mountstephens Architecture + Heritage.
The house didn’t have a kitchen when the client purchased it, and it had a series of poor additions to the rear. The front was fenced in for security, and grilles at the back limited access to the garden.
The client had already done work in the front of the house before they engaged Mountstephens. The brief asked for four bedrooms plus a guest room in a separate studio/garage at the back of the property where it could be accessed by the rear laneway. A two-storey extension would accommodate a new kitchen and informal living and dining space downstairs, and children’s bedrooms upstairs.
“The client had strong ideas about what they wanted to achieve and were very involved in the design and materials decisions,” says Mountstephens. “They wanted large, contemporary and airy spaces in the new house, but with continuity to the more traditional, cosy and darker rooms of the original cottage.”
The client had already done work in the front of the house before they engaged Mountstephens. The brief asked for four bedrooms plus a guest room in a separate studio/garage at the back of the property where it could be accessed by the rear laneway. A two-storey extension would accommodate a new kitchen and informal living and dining space downstairs, and children’s bedrooms upstairs.
“The client had strong ideas about what they wanted to achieve and were very involved in the design and materials decisions,” says Mountstephens. “They wanted large, contemporary and airy spaces in the new house, but with continuity to the more traditional, cosy and darker rooms of the original cottage.”
This extension sits behind the front of the house and below the ridge height of the existing roof so it can’t be seen from the street. “The new roof follows the profile of the original roof, with dormer-type elements popping up to provide additional ceiling height for the bedrooms,” says Mountstephens.
It respects the setbacks on either side of the house and minimises overshadowing of the neighbouring properties. The existing Canary Island date palm, which had been planted close to the house, also influenced the design as the client wanted to be able to see it from inside. Mountstephens incorporated a corner window and skylights to enable this view.
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It respects the setbacks on either side of the house and minimises overshadowing of the neighbouring properties. The existing Canary Island date palm, which had been planted close to the house, also influenced the design as the client wanted to be able to see it from inside. Mountstephens incorporated a corner window and skylights to enable this view.
Thinking of renovating? Find an architect near you on Houzz, see images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The owners painstakingly restored the original front verandah, adding a cane swinging seat, to create a welcoming entrance to the home.
The hallway continues through the old and new sections of the house to provide a view into the back garden. Mountstephens also selected materials to integrate the new with the old, choosing textured and contemporary interpretations of traditional finishes, such as grooved walls and ceilings, bagged brickwork and recycled face bricks.
The client had previously done some work to the rooms in the front of the house, which included the master bedroom and formal living and dining room. “The owners’ collection of mid-century furniture, antique light fittings and contemporary art give this space a warm, eclectic character,” says Mountstephens.
The architect lengthened the windows in the dining room to increase the levels of natural light and eventually provide views of the vine growing on the side fence.
The architect lengthened the windows in the dining room to increase the levels of natural light and eventually provide views of the vine growing on the side fence.
Also located in the front of the house, a bedroom was transformed into an ensuite for the master bedroom. It retains the heritage features – Federation fireplace and Art Nouveau tiles – with the addition of a freestanding claw-foot bath.
Victoria & Albert bath: Sydney Tap and Bathroomware
Victoria & Albert bath: Sydney Tap and Bathroomware
It also features contemporary features and fixtures that complement the heritage style.
Bathroom tiles: Teranova; Imperial Astoria vanity: Sydney Tap and Bathroomware
Bathroom tiles: Teranova; Imperial Astoria vanity: Sydney Tap and Bathroomware
The new kitchen combines oak joinery with blue-green painted cabinet fronts and marble benchtops. The kitchen island provides a space for casual family dining, however the clients prefer to use their outdoor dining table as much as possible.
Cabinetry painted in Little Mermaid: Dulux
Cabinetry painted in Little Mermaid: Dulux
A butler’s pantry provides additional storage space, and a steel-framed pop-out window enables natural light and a view.
Splashback tiles: Teranova
Splashback tiles: Teranova
The new living room is a dramatic two-storey space. Large steel-framed windows and doors connect it to the rear garden, while a first-floor balcony fosters views, connection and communication throughout the home.
Patterned brickwork is both decorative and functional. “It evolved from the ventilation requirements for the wood-burning fireplace,” says Mountstephens.
Patterned brickwork is both decorative and functional. “It evolved from the ventilation requirements for the wood-burning fireplace,” says Mountstephens.
The high-level pop-out window and skylight provide glimpses of the palm tree and bring in northern sunlight during winter.
The steel-framed glass doors enable a direct visual and physical connection to the back garden, with a view towards the landscaped entertaining area, swimming pool and pool house/garage.
Steel-framed glass doors: Skyrange
Steel-framed glass doors: Skyrange
The exterior of the new addition features recycled bricks with decorative details as well as black-painted timber cladding.
“The grey/brown recycled bricks work with the colour of the original bricks, without matching them completely, and the new brickwork has a different texture and more rustic aesthetic than the original front facade,” says Mountstephens.
“The grey/brown recycled bricks work with the colour of the original bricks, without matching them completely, and the new brickwork has a different texture and more rustic aesthetic than the original front facade,” says Mountstephens.
Pushing the swimming pool to the side boundary increased the garden space and width of the new garage/pool house, which replaced the existing carport.
Inside the garage/pool house, there is a cosy guest bedroom with ensuite on the first floor, providing accommodation for interstate guests.
Back inside the main house, the new stairs connect the ground-floor living spaces to the kids’ bedrooms, bathroom and study area. There is also a rumpus room built into the roof space of the original house.
A sunny window seat sits halfway up the new stairs, which feature beautifully crafted timber details.
A balcony on the first floor overlooks the living space and provides a view of the black steel and timber cross beams beneath the gabled roof. “The gabled roof required collar ties to stop it spreading. Instead of a single diagonal beam/steel tie, we added cross members to create an interesting detail when viewed from the top hallway,” says Mountstephens.
“The black steel plates cover the joins in the timber and echo the steel windows and black light fittings.”
“The black steel plates cover the joins in the timber and echo the steel windows and black light fittings.”
The kids’ bathroom is tucked under the gabled roof and features a step-down shower to achieve compliance with head heights. “This creates a bit of fun for the kids and meant that we could fit the bathroom in the best place for the plan,” says Mountstephens.
Your turn
What do you love most about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more great residential design? Go on a virtual tour with this UK Houzz Tour: Texture and Curves Give a New Apartment Character
Your turn
What do you love most about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more great residential design? Go on a virtual tour with this UK Houzz Tour: Texture and Curves Give a New Apartment Character
Who lives here: A family of five including a managing partner of a digital agency and a stylist; their three children aged 13, 11 and eight, and their cat, Jeet
Location: Glebe, NSW
Size: 230 square metres with four bedrooms and three bathrooms
Architecture and design: Kate Mountstephens Architecture + Heritage
Building: Burmah Constructions
Mountstephens designed a two-storey addition at the rear of the weatherboard cottage to provide large, airy contemporary spaces for her client, while respecting the conservation area and heritage streetscape. “We wanted to respect the old house but not freeze it in time,” says Mountstephens.