Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: This Art-Filled Harbour Home Was Well Worth the Wait
A formerly ramshackle worker's cottage has grown and changed in spectacular fashion over 26 years
Nestled beside the harbour in North Sydney, this renovated worker’s cottage has retained the charm of its 1901 roots, while taking on the added sophistication of a modern family home. Architect Michael Morgan, director at Nettletontribe, lives here with his wife Maryrose. As they renovated the property Michael worked on the structure of the building, while Maryrose took charge of the home’s interiors.
What was originally a two-bedroom cottage in need of some love is now an impressive four-bedroom, five-bathroom abode. The renovations adapted to the changing needs of the family over more than two decades, as the couple’s three children grew up. Michael and Maryrose have given the home a soul all its own with timeless furniture, striking artwork, and even antique French oak front doors, sourced from a farmhouse in the south of France.
What was originally a two-bedroom cottage in need of some love is now an impressive four-bedroom, five-bathroom abode. The renovations adapted to the changing needs of the family over more than two decades, as the couple’s three children grew up. Michael and Maryrose have given the home a soul all its own with timeless furniture, striking artwork, and even antique French oak front doors, sourced from a farmhouse in the south of France.
Twenty-six years later, the house has grown and changed with the Morgan family. The only remnants of the original house are the TV room and living room. All three of Michael and Maryrose’s children – Isabelle, Lily and Patrick – grew up in the house and have since flown the nest, leaving their parents to enjoy a peaceful home with fabulous water views.
Today, with Patrick and Isabelle living in London and Lily in Melbourne, the home is quieter than it has been in years – but it certainly hasn’t lost any of its soul. At the entrance, the wrought-iron security doors were designed and made to match the original detail in the oak doors, which were taken from a farmhouse in the south of France.
The home is decorated with pieces that have meaning, and Maryrose is constantly adding to the collection. “Artwork and photographs are a big part of our lives,” she says. “From when Michael and I first met to the present, we have collected works – things we love, not works that needed to be collected.”
Artwork: Joe Furlonger
Artwork: Joe Furlonger
While minor updates took place as soon as the couple moved in, it wasn’t until Maryrose was pregnant with their third child that they got to work on the bulk of the renovation. It started when Maryrose wanted to modernise the 1940s kitchen. The couple both also knew they would eventually want to build a second storey, so instead of simply adding a kitchen at the time, they decided to construct the full frame of the future house with new flooring and re-plastered walls.
The only downside was that they couldn’t yet afford to finish the roof to the upstairs section, so for two years the family lived with a concrete-poured upstairs floor, with no stairs or internal access to it, and all the rafters were exposed. “Michael used to bring young architects from the office to show how a roof was constructed!” says Maryrose.
The only downside was that they couldn’t yet afford to finish the roof to the upstairs section, so for two years the family lived with a concrete-poured upstairs floor, with no stairs or internal access to it, and all the rafters were exposed. “Michael used to bring young architects from the office to show how a roof was constructed!” says Maryrose.
The renovated kitchen is fitted with Swiss pearwood cabinetry and Carrara marble benchtops. Just five years ago, the couple updated the kitchen again, adding white cabinetry, a Sub-Zero fridge, and a cleverly concealed pantry.
Originally, they had a walk-in pantry that sheltered the kitchen from the front living area. It was only on removing this that they discovered they had a view of the water from the kitchen. “We thought, ‘Why on earth didn’t we do that all those years ago?’,” Maryrose says.
Originally, they had a walk-in pantry that sheltered the kitchen from the front living area. It was only on removing this that they discovered they had a view of the water from the kitchen. “We thought, ‘Why on earth didn’t we do that all those years ago?’,” Maryrose says.
Large artwork to the left of the archway: Fiona Lowry; Aboriginal artwork: Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula
The area between the kitchen and dining room has been converted into a study nook that’s close to everything while still offering some privacy.
‘Reclaiming the Symbols’ artwork above the arch: Reko Rennie
‘Reclaiming the Symbols’ artwork above the arch: Reko Rennie
Artwork brings colour and character into the study nook too, and enlivens the walk to the dining area. “Every piece has a story,” Maryrose says. “When we travel, we try to buy an artwork from places we have loved to remind us of it, rather than souvenirs.”
Many of their works are by Australian artists, and so far only once has Maryrose missed out on a piece she really wanted: “a Jess MacNeil – I still wish I had it,” she says.
Many of their works are by Australian artists, and so far only once has Maryrose missed out on a piece she really wanted: “a Jess MacNeil – I still wish I had it,” she says.
The TV room, which was the original living room, has been painted black, creating a snug retreat. Opening off the kitchen, it creates a welcome contrast to the rest of the bright, airy living spaces.
In the new living room, large French doors bathe the home in natural light. This room is a favourite reading spot for Maryrose.
Artworks: Tim Storrier
Artwork: Charles Blackman
The glass French doors open from the living room onto a deck overlooking the water, where stunning views of Sydney Harbour can be soaked up for hours on end.
The living room also boasts an original fireplace to keep the family cosy during the colder months. It initially didn’t work, due to the addition of the second storey and there being no chimney, but Maryrose discovered EcoSmart fireplaces, which need no flue. “I often go in there in the afternoons, light the fire and read the paper,” she says.
Artwork: Sally Gabori
Artwork: Sally Gabori
Artworks (clockwise from top left): Willy Tjungurrayi, Margaret Preston, Martine Emdur, Colleen Nampitjinpa and Charlie Sheard
The bedrooms are upstairs in the now-completed second-storey addition.
Artwork: Zoe Croggon
Artwork: Zoe Croggon
“I could not have imagined 26 years ago when we bought this little cottage that it would end up looking like this," Maryrose says. "We are always looking at ways to improve it; as the children’s needs changed, we changed the house – the beauty of being married to an architect!”
The second and third bedrooms upstairs make the most of their north-facing aspect with large, louvred windows.
The second and third bedrooms upstairs make the most of their north-facing aspect with large, louvred windows.
Each of the bathrooms is unique; this elegant ensuite overlooks the harbour.
The master bedroom leads onto a deck, also overlooking the water. This is a favourite spot for the couple to relax.
“It has been a wonderful family home, and we have all loved living here,” says Maryrose. “I don’t want to leave anytime soon.”
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What do you like most about this Sydney Harbour house? Let us know in the Comments section.
“It has been a wonderful family home, and we have all loved living here,” says Maryrose. “I don’t want to leave anytime soon.”
TELL US
What do you like most about this Sydney Harbour house? Let us know in the Comments section.
Who lives here: Architect Michael Morgan and his wife Maryrose
Location: North Sydney, NSW
Size: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
The Morgans bought this property in 1990, when it was a rundown worker’s cottage dating back to 1901. At the time, Maryrose was pregnant with the couple’s first child, so they got to work with the renovation straight away. “We immediately renovated the bathroom, painted the walls and ceilings white – they were multi-coloured pastels – and polished the floorboards,” she says.