Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Sydney Victorian Cottage Gets a Modern Makeover
This Victorian Cottage's new layout and injection of colour have brought it back to life, while also paying tribute to its heritage features
Despite its sunlit garden and Sydney location, this Victorian cottage felt dark and dreary. As with many homes built during the 19th century, the rear was cluttered with small rooms and low ceilings, and it had a bathroom that blocked views into the backyard.
After considering other design options, architect Danny Broe and homeowner Linda Carmichael gutted the back of the house and rearranged the rooms into an open and bright configuration. Dashes of colour break up the modern addition and add personality, while original Victorian architecture at the front of the house preserves the home’s unique character.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Linda Carmichael
Location: Enmore, West Sydney, New South Wales
Size: 81 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Cost of renovation: $284,000 (not including professional fees)
Photos by Karina Illovska
After considering other design options, architect Danny Broe and homeowner Linda Carmichael gutted the back of the house and rearranged the rooms into an open and bright configuration. Dashes of colour break up the modern addition and add personality, while original Victorian architecture at the front of the house preserves the home’s unique character.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Linda Carmichael
Location: Enmore, West Sydney, New South Wales
Size: 81 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Cost of renovation: $284,000 (not including professional fees)
Photos by Karina Illovska
Here's a look at the back of the house before the remodel. This door led to a small bathroom, which blocked views of the back garden from the interior living spaces.
BEFORE: The previous kitchen had updated appliances and materials, but it felt cramped due to the lack of space and light.
AFTER 1: The new open floor plan affords plenty of space. Four different colours divide the kitchen into zones, reducing the visual bulk of this efficient, single-wall layout. The different colours also make the cupboards look more like freestanding furniture than built-ins.
Cooktop, oven: Smeg; rangehood: Ilve; refrigerator: Fisher & Paykel
Cooktop, oven: Smeg; rangehood: Ilve; refrigerator: Fisher & Paykel
AFTER 2: The north-facing bay window fills the space with sunlight. Broe even installed a small window at benchtop level to capture extra light and illuminate the workspace. The Tasmanian oak flooring added throughout the house has a matte finish for a light and airy feel.
The ceiling of the window bay is much lower than the ceiling in the rest of the space, making the window seat feel cosier and more intimate. Translucent blinds and a fence outside the back door provide privacy if needed.
Kitchen benchtop: Snow, Caesarstone; hardware: Hettich; sink: Olivieri; tapware: Sussex, Reece; blinds: Rolletna
The ceiling of the window bay is much lower than the ceiling in the rest of the space, making the window seat feel cosier and more intimate. Translucent blinds and a fence outside the back door provide privacy if needed.
Kitchen benchtop: Snow, Caesarstone; hardware: Hettich; sink: Olivieri; tapware: Sussex, Reece; blinds: Rolletna
A door next to the pantry opens to reveal a surprising pink office. “Pink is such a strong colour, so it’s best revealed only occasionally,” Broe says.
A small window in the office wall lets in light and looks out on the home’s small courtyard. Broe added the courtyard so he could introduce windows to the bathroom, bedroom and office, and bring light into the middle of the home.
Couch, ottoman: Jazz, Oz Design; rug: Orbit, Dinosaur Designs; ceiling fan: Revolution, Hunter Pacific
A small window in the office wall lets in light and looks out on the home’s small courtyard. Broe added the courtyard so he could introduce windows to the bathroom, bedroom and office, and bring light into the middle of the home.
Couch, ottoman: Jazz, Oz Design; rug: Orbit, Dinosaur Designs; ceiling fan: Revolution, Hunter Pacific
BEFORE: The living room had little natural light. The single ceiling pendant didn’t do much to eliminate the dim, dark feeling.
BEFORE: Shoved into the back of the house, the home’s sole bathroom had limited space and could be accessed only by walking through the living room.
AFTER: The bathroom was moved from the back of the house to the middle, where it’s now easily accessed from the public areas and the bedroom. The new bathroom also has a separate tub and a washer and dryer (not pictured).
Showerhead: Raindance, Hansgrohe; tub: Kaldiwei; sink: Alape; bathroom benchtop: Corian; heater: Rinnai; tiles: Bisanna
Showerhead: Raindance, Hansgrohe; tub: Kaldiwei; sink: Alape; bathroom benchtop: Corian; heater: Rinnai; tiles: Bisanna
The details in the ornate front hall lent themselves to an equally ornate wallpaper. Biloba wallpaper from Marimekko greets guests with a splash of bold, contrasting colour.
Careful renovation maintained the original Victorian character in the front hall. Broe and his team had the plaster cornices and ceiling roses repaired, and fixed a nose on one of the plaster ladies, too.
All of the front rooms, including this informal parlour, were simply restored to their former glory. The bay at the back of the house mimics the bay in this room, connecting the original Victorian with the modern spaces in back.
Light: Yvette, Beacon Lighting
Light: Yvette, Beacon Lighting
Although the house is in close proximity to its neighbours – like many homes in Sydney’s suburbs – the sidewalls and limited number of side-facing windows give the home privacy. Broe installed a new metal roof but kept the original contours to maintain the interior’s high ceilings.
Roofing: Lysaght; interior paints: Dulux; exterior paints: Murabond
Design team:
Architect: Danny Broe
Builder: AS & KB Constructions
Engineer: Partridge Structural
Landscaping: Mason Smith, Grandiflorum Landscapes
Roofing: Lysaght; interior paints: Dulux; exterior paints: Murabond
Design team:
Architect: Danny Broe
Builder: AS & KB Constructions
Engineer: Partridge Structural
Landscaping: Mason Smith, Grandiflorum Landscapes
Broe created that patio – as well as the garden’s paths – using brick and stone salvaged from the demolished parts of the house.
Window seat fabric: Fingers, Signature Prints; doors, windows: Windoor