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Houzz Tour: High-Tech Meets Glam in 'Paddo' Terrace
A clever restoration transforms a 100-year-old Edwardian terrace into a contemporary, glamorous home
The aim of this renovation project in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Paddington (Paddo) was to restore an Edwardian terrace originally built in 1904, while at the same time transforming it into a 21st-century dwelling to suit a modern lifestyle. Lee Panoyan of Casafabrica, project manager and interior designer, achieved this by adopting the latest in building techniques, choosing environmentally friendly materials, and using traditional restoration methods sympathetic to the period of the house.
The result is a stunning abode, a home for entertaining as well as family living, which balances old and new, traditional and modern – but where form follows function. Located in a village atmosphere with historical charm, the terrace is distinguished by cutting-edge design and the latest technology, such as a fully automated ‘smart home’ technology system, where the property’s CCTV monitoring can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
The result is a stunning abode, a home for entertaining as well as family living, which balances old and new, traditional and modern – but where form follows function. Located in a village atmosphere with historical charm, the terrace is distinguished by cutting-edge design and the latest technology, such as a fully automated ‘smart home’ technology system, where the property’s CCTV monitoring can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
When you enter the terrace from the street, the formal living area radiates style and elegance with its large parquet floors made from engineered-oak timbers, and the original Victorian fireplace that has been beautifully restored to its former glory. The floor-to-ceiling built-in joinery in walnut veneer creates room for books and decorative objects. The lounge was custom-made and designed by Casafabrica.
Next to the formal living room, the open-riser steel staircase (weighing four tonnes), takes pride of place and leads to the first floor. “The stairwell had to be laser-cut and hand-welded onsite,” says Panoyan, describing the installation of this heavy steel feature. An 18-millimetre-thick toughened laminated safety glass pane, running from the floor to the ceiling, functions as a divider between the dining room and the staircase, and a protective wall.
The dining chairs, which Panoyan had re-upholstered in a Warwick fabric, were roadside finds. Their vintage value contrasts with the contemporary aesthetic of the staircase effectively. Sitting on either end of the dining area, turquoise armchairs designed by Casafabrica work beautifully with the antique French table.
Chandelier: Lumière Lighting
The dining chairs, which Panoyan had re-upholstered in a Warwick fabric, were roadside finds. Their vintage value contrasts with the contemporary aesthetic of the staircase effectively. Sitting on either end of the dining area, turquoise armchairs designed by Casafabrica work beautifully with the antique French table.
Chandelier: Lumière Lighting
The casual living and entertaining areas, including the kitchen and patio, are open plan and located at the rear of the terrace. The kitchen island, complete with a Calacatta marble benchtop and the Reece ‘Minimalist’ pull-down spring mixer, takes centre stage. The benchtop and kickboards are stainless steel, and the integrated fridge is from Fisher & Paykel. A five-burner cooktop, double-capacity oven, range hood, dishwasher and sinks are all from Smeg.
Replica Xavier Pauchard Tolix stool ‘Galvanised’: Matt Blatt; six-light glass and shades chandelier in ‘White’: Chandelierium
Replica Xavier Pauchard Tolix stool ‘Galvanised’: Matt Blatt; six-light glass and shades chandelier in ‘White’: Chandelierium
Another feature showcasing the successful fusion of old and new in this Edwardian terrace is the polished concrete floor in the casual living area, and this also incorporates hydronic floor heating. Explaining his approach to the renovation, Panoyan says: “The aesthetics of the house match the functional performance, which was paramount for the result.”
Specialising in terrace renovations, Panoyan is well-versed in the challenges that a 100-year-old building can present, as well as the local council’s heritage and conservation guidelines.
Leather lounge: King Living
Specialising in terrace renovations, Panoyan is well-versed in the challenges that a 100-year-old building can present, as well as the local council’s heritage and conservation guidelines.
Leather lounge: King Living
Steel-framed bi-folds, when opened out to the patio, allow the interior and exterior spaces to merge together. The 3.5-metre-high ceiling, together with the glass sky-roof running along the entire length of the casual living room, add a sense of space and provide plenty of natural light.
Again, this contrasts with the front of the property, where there is a more formal and intimate atmosphere. “We wanted to create a flexible layout with multiple entertaining and living options to suit different occasions,” Panoyan says.
Again, this contrasts with the front of the property, where there is a more formal and intimate atmosphere. “We wanted to create a flexible layout with multiple entertaining and living options to suit different occasions,” Panoyan says.
Outside, a fully integrated Electrolux stainless steel barbecue on a covered patio makes casual entertaining easy. The built-in outdoor facilities are protected from the elements by a surrounding brick wall and a glass roof.
By continuing the polished concrete floor outside, Panoyan enhanced the connection between the indoor entertaining and living spaces and the back patio. The brick feature wall at the rear reflects the period of the house, while also reinforcing the modern twist of the new design.
Inside, restored original fireplaces, wall panelling and French doors are sympathetic to the Edwardian history of the home. Panoyan also preserved the original layout of the home by exposing the 9-metre-high brick party wall behind the central staircase. The wall still bears testimony to the fireplace that he had to remove.
The property offers a low-maintenance inner-city lifestyle with all living and entertaining spaces on the ground floor, and bedrooms on the upper levels.
The master bedroom on the first floor radiates style and elegance, and features a custom-made bedhead, a dark panelled wall painted in Dulux’s ‘Brief Interlude’, and Cavalier Bremworth pure wool carpet.
Curtains: Warwick; chandelier: Lumiere Lighting
Curtains: Warwick; chandelier: Lumiere Lighting
The tinted black glass wall that separates the ensuite from the master bedroom creates a sense of space while at the same time providing privacy. An internal panel door system incorporates secret hinges and magnetic door catchers.
Inwall toilet system: Parisi; taps and fittings: Paco Jaanson
Inwall toilet system: Parisi; taps and fittings: Paco Jaanson
Similar to the master bedroom, the second bedroom on the first floor shows panelled walls painted in Dulux’s ‘Just White’ and a pure wool carpet. Another antique French chair decorates this room.
Artwork: Jelena Telecki
Artwork: Jelena Telecki
New Victorian tessellated tiles make the balcony outside the second bedroom an eye-catching feature. By repeating a geometric pattern on the tiles, the curtains and cushions, Panoyan created clever links for this space. Also of note are the balustrades and fretwork on the front, which have been restored to their original state.
Sheers and curtain: More Than Curtains
Sheers and curtain: More Than Curtains
Pietra marble and Calacatta basket weave tiles form the backdrop for the freestanding bath in the main bathroom, which is situated on the first floor. Both bathrooms include laminated safety mirrors and black tinted glass as dividers for the bath and showers.
Basin: Parisi; tinted glass: Precision Glass and Glazing; marble tiles: Nefiko marble
Basin: Parisi; tinted glass: Precision Glass and Glazing; marble tiles: Nefiko marble
The first floor also includes a study space that has an abundance of natural light pouring through the skylight. Decorating the space are a desk and two chairs, all of which are French antiques.
Engineered large parquet flooring in ‘Oak’: Precision Flooring; artwork: Jelena Telecki
Engineered large parquet flooring in ‘Oak’: Precision Flooring; artwork: Jelena Telecki
To maximise the use of space on this 118-square-metre property, an attic conversion provided a third bedroom, which is perfect for guests.
Terrace houses provide insulation for each other all year round. In addition, they have excellent cross-ventilation properties, which help reduce a reliance on energy. “We recycled materials in the construction stage and used materials with a low carbon footprint to make this renovation as environmentally friendly as possible,” Panoyan explains.
The house features C-Bus smart home technology, which helps regulate the use of lighting and the hydraulically operated under-floor heating. This high-tech feature provides an enhanced lifestyle of entertainment, convenience, comfort, security, and energy-efficiency through the automation of routine tasks.
C-Bus ‘Smart Home’ technology: Harbourside Communication and Security Services
The house features C-Bus smart home technology, which helps regulate the use of lighting and the hydraulically operated under-floor heating. This high-tech feature provides an enhanced lifestyle of entertainment, convenience, comfort, security, and energy-efficiency through the automation of routine tasks.
C-Bus ‘Smart Home’ technology: Harbourside Communication and Security Services
TELL US
What do you like best about this contemporary Edwardian terrace? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
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What do you like best about this contemporary Edwardian terrace? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
6 Inner City Terrace Renovations that Conquer Common Problems
Renovation Rescue: 9 Terrace Design Challenges and how to Solve Them
Houzz Tour: Bondi Terrace Reno Captures Light
Who lives here: A professional couple
Location: Paddington, Sydney
Size: 118 square metres
Designer: Lee Panoyan, Casafabrica
Project duration: 8 months
Budget: $600,000
This Paddington terrace is one of the last remaining examples with a brick facade on Hopetoun Street, so Lee Panoyan of Casafabrica took great care to restore the exterior of the house to its original finish. This included repointing the brickwork, removing and restoring all iron and lace work, and re-instating the tessellated Victorian tile to the front terrace.