Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: From Worst to Best-Dressed House on the Street
With design influences from New York and London, this rejuvenated cottage now wins for its sartorial style
“We most certainly bought the worst house on the best street,” say the homeowners of their cottage in Cammeray, Sydney. Now, after an alteration and addition designed by Contemporary Architecture and Woods & Warner, the house is most certainly the best-dressed house on the street.
Built in 1914, the small double-fronted cottage was dilapidated when the client purchased it in 2013, and much of its original detailing and charm had been removed. Contemporary Architecture restored the front facade and designed a two-storey rear extension, while Woods & Warner developed the interior design. The client wanted a modern-industrial aesthetic with brass, steel, concrete, timber and marble. The design also needed to fuse influences from New York, London and New Zealand to represent where the owners have lived, and the client wanted it to express a “hint of vintage” and to “feel well-travelled”.
Built in 1914, the small double-fronted cottage was dilapidated when the client purchased it in 2013, and much of its original detailing and charm had been removed. Contemporary Architecture restored the front facade and designed a two-storey rear extension, while Woods & Warner developed the interior design. The client wanted a modern-industrial aesthetic with brass, steel, concrete, timber and marble. The design also needed to fuse influences from New York, London and New Zealand to represent where the owners have lived, and the client wanted it to express a “hint of vintage” and to “feel well-travelled”.
The client wanted a house where they could feel like they were on holidays and that would be beautiful, practical and flexible for their family long-term. It needed to have an effortless flow between the kitchen, dining, living area and outdoors so they could easily entertain and barbecue.
Contemporary Architecture designed a rear addition and second storey that is not visible from the street, respecting the heritage overlay of the surrounding Plateau Heritage Conservation Area.
There are three bedrooms, a play room and bathroom in the front section of the house. The kitchen, living and dining area are in the rear addition, opening to a deck and garden. Upstairs are two bedrooms, an ensuite and dressing room.
Contemporary Architecture designed a rear addition and second storey that is not visible from the street, respecting the heritage overlay of the surrounding Plateau Heritage Conservation Area.
There are three bedrooms, a play room and bathroom in the front section of the house. The kitchen, living and dining area are in the rear addition, opening to a deck and garden. Upstairs are two bedrooms, an ensuite and dressing room.
Woods & Warner entered the process near the start of the build. “Contemporary Architecture had executed its work, however only a few of the interior or exterior finishes had been selected,” says Jacinta Woods, co-director of Woods & Warner. The client had saved ideas on Houzz and shared them with Woods & Warner in the initial stages of the design.
Thinking of renovating? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Thinking of renovating? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The open-plan kitchen/living/dining area fuses overseas influences, including high ceilings reminiscent of New York loft apartments; steel windows and doors from London; and concrete floors inspired by the client’s friend who lives in Antwerp. Woods & Warner softened the steel and concrete with a strong emphasis on tactile and natural materials. “Marble and timber are contrasted with the grunt of brass, steel and concrete to make for a stunning combination,” says Woods.
Glass doors open to the deck for easy entertaining and dining outdoors, and a glass splashback provides a view to the side boundary and brings in natural light.
Treasury Bronze smooth texture joinery: Axolotl; Diiva stool: Grazia & Co
Glass doors open to the deck for easy entertaining and dining outdoors, and a glass splashback provides a view to the side boundary and brings in natural light.
Treasury Bronze smooth texture joinery: Axolotl; Diiva stool: Grazia & Co
The custom island benchtop is recycled marri timber, native to Australia, while the custom brass ladder evokes the New York loft and provides access to overhead storage, bookended by beautiful wine-glass shaped wall lights.
“We thoroughly enjoyed selecting the lighting for the house as the clients were extremely open to ideas. We could find the perfect synergy and combination to express our contemporary, industrial twist, with each light having its own personality yet working cohesively together because of the common brass and glass elements,” says Woods.
Vino wall light: Mark Douglass; custom brass ladder: Savage Design
“We thoroughly enjoyed selecting the lighting for the house as the clients were extremely open to ideas. We could find the perfect synergy and combination to express our contemporary, industrial twist, with each light having its own personality yet working cohesively together because of the common brass and glass elements,” says Woods.
Vino wall light: Mark Douglass; custom brass ladder: Savage Design
The palette continues in the butler’s pantry with navy joinery, concrete-look overhead cabinets, bronze open shelving and marble benchtops.
Blue Plaza S37A9 paint: Dulux; Concrete laminate Surface Texture C: Wilsonart; Miami Stick Mosaic tiles in Navy SG161: Surface Gallery
Blue Plaza S37A9 paint: Dulux; Concrete laminate Surface Texture C: Wilsonart; Miami Stick Mosaic tiles in Navy SG161: Surface Gallery
The living and dining area are across the room from the kitchen and deck, with the zones being integrated, yet each space has its own atmosphere and aesthetic. “The furniture, soft furnishings and artwork are woven into the scheme to create zones and spaces that feel inviting and tactile,” says Woods. “We pushed the client to trust us on how the finishes would work together. It wasn’t easy to convince them, however they have expressed they are truly thankful for how we challenged them to ensure the successful outcome.”
Big Kick pendant: Volker Haug
Big Kick pendant: Volker Haug
The polished-concrete effect on the walls provides a moody, sophisticated backdrop, which is lightened by the furnishings and artwork. “The soft blue-grey sofa balances the depth of the room, and the mustard swivel chairs contribute beauty and femininity to the scheme,” says Woods.
Mia Oatley’s painting, inspired by Sydney’s vibrant beach life and rugged coastline, is a perfect complement to the mustard velvet chairs and coloured cushions.
Concrete Effect Onyx Edge paint: Dulux; Missing Link wall light: Volker Haug; Joy armchair: Jardan; Hayman sofa: H&J Furniture; Plateau coffee tables: Blu Dot
Mia Oatley’s painting, inspired by Sydney’s vibrant beach life and rugged coastline, is a perfect complement to the mustard velvet chairs and coloured cushions.
Concrete Effect Onyx Edge paint: Dulux; Missing Link wall light: Volker Haug; Joy armchair: Jardan; Hayman sofa: H&J Furniture; Plateau coffee tables: Blu Dot
The dining area nestles in the back corner, surrounded on two sides by an aged-leather banquette. “We felt a singular dining table wouldn’t encapsulate the intimacy of an industrial design theme. The banquette almost hugs the space, and while the dark walls and aged leather are a loud gesture in a family room, this spaces is the heart and soul,” says Woods.
The table, like the island benchtop, is also custom-made with native marri timber.
Antico Torrone aged leather: Rino Mastrotto Australia; custom banquette seat: Jade Upholstery
The table, like the island benchtop, is also custom-made with native marri timber.
Antico Torrone aged leather: Rino Mastrotto Australia; custom banquette seat: Jade Upholstery
The master bedroom and dressing room upstairs provided the opportunity for Woods & Warner to explore a softer, vintage-inspired palette.
The wallpaper, which has a classical, pastoral scene, provides an elegant mural above the bed and in the dressing room, and 1960s-inspired wall sconces offer the desired hint of vintage. “The lighting in the home is truly breathtaking, and witnessing the happiness this room provides the client is a privilege,” says Woods.
Stand Wood wallpaper: Zoffany; S. Harris, Earthwind fabric on cushions: The Textile Company; custom bedhead: Jade Upholstery
Stand Wood wallpaper: Zoffany; S. Harris, Earthwind fabric on cushions: The Textile Company; custom bedhead: Jade Upholstery
Grey concrete wall tiles accentuate the pitched ceiling in the ensuite. “We initially weren’t in love with the angles, but felt we needed to exaggerate them rather than ignore them,” says Woods.
This is achieved by tiling the end walls with dark grey, and the side walls and floor with light grey tiles. “It defines the shower zone and vanity zone and extends the sense of space,” says Woods.
Raku Cobalt Finger Mosaic tiles: Teranova Tiles; floor and wall tiles: Calibre Concepts
Raku Cobalt Finger Mosaic tiles: Teranova Tiles; floor and wall tiles: Calibre Concepts
The client’s two young boys share a bedroom, which is colourful and timeless with tactile textiles layered on the bed and fabric bedhead.
Hourglass USB Task Lamp: West Elm
Hourglass USB Task Lamp: West Elm
Woods & Warner designed a wall of joinery in the client’s sons’ bedroom, providing cupboard space and desk for when they are older.
Vipere SG5C6 paint: Dulux; Kintore Pull Brass: Lo & Co Interiors; client’s desk chair reupholstered in Tile Jacquard: Cole & Son
Vipere SG5C6 paint: Dulux; Kintore Pull Brass: Lo & Co Interiors; client’s desk chair reupholstered in Tile Jacquard: Cole & Son
The same joinery is also in a guest bedroom, which will later become one of the boys’ bedrooms when they are older.
Sloane SG5H5 paint: Dulux;
Gubi BL7 wall lamp: Cult
Sloane SG5H5 paint: Dulux;
Gubi BL7 wall lamp: Cult
The client has fond memories of a hotel they stayed at in Soho, London, which influenced the design of the second guest room. “This bedroom is the one room where we could take the client on a journey through our vintage-inspired imagination,” says Woods. “We wanted this space to feel like an experience, and introduced the deep wine colour as a contrast to the blue, grey and bronze throughout the home.”
The custom leather bedhead is hung off the slatted shelf wall, providing display space for contemporary and vintage art.
Mountain Wine paint: Taubmans; Gubi Wall Lights: Cult
The custom leather bedhead is hung off the slatted shelf wall, providing display space for contemporary and vintage art.
Mountain Wine paint: Taubmans; Gubi Wall Lights: Cult
The main bathroom in the front of the house has “divinely high ceilings,” says Woods. The walls are divided into blue tiles above and grey tiles below to reduce the sense of height and add depth. Brass fixtures and fittings continue the contemporary industrial theme.
Azia wall tiles: Academy Tiles; floor and wall tiles: Calibre Concepts; Fizi wall sconce with kick: Articolo Lighting
Azia wall tiles: Academy Tiles; floor and wall tiles: Calibre Concepts; Fizi wall sconce with kick: Articolo Lighting
The powder room is dark and dramatic with mosaic tiles, bronze accents and a wall sconce, which provides illumination from above.
Glazed Penny Rounds: Academy Tiles; Trilogy wall light: Articolo Lighting
Your turn
Which space in this individually designed home is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Missed our previous Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this Houzz Tour: A Pioneering Passive House in Australia
Glazed Penny Rounds: Academy Tiles; Trilogy wall light: Articolo Lighting
Your turn
Which space in this individually designed home is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Missed our previous Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this Houzz Tour: A Pioneering Passive House in Australia
Who lives here: A well-travelled couple with two boys, aged three and five years old
Location: Sydney, NSW
Size: 230 square metres with four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms
Architecture: Contemporary Architecture
Design: Woods & Warner
The client bought the house after living in London and New York for eight years. They were attracted to the location, north-west aspect, size of the block, and uninterrupted view across Sydney’s Lower North Shore. But they readily admit the house had seen better days: “It felt like we were camping in it,” says the client. “The roof leaked, the paint was peeling, and we had damp/mould issues. The front exterior was an eyesore next to the cute cottages lining our street, and once we started construction, we discovered the rear of the house had subsided over time, which had caused structural issues that needed to be resolved within the build.”
The couple engaged Contemporary Architecture and Woods & Warner for the renovation. Contemporary Architecture designed and documented the house, including the stair, kitchen, laundry and bathrooms, while Woods & Warner designed and specified the fittings, furniture and finishes, and designed the bedroom joinery and furniture.
The architecture and design team restored the front of the house with an all-white facade, decorative ironwork, stained glass panels and sash windows. The addition of a picket fence with a contemporary twist is a nostalgic nod to one of the homeowners’ childhood in rural New Zealand.