Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Cool Coastal Reno Breathes New Life Into a Period Home
A clever re-design transformed this gloomy period home into a light, bright space fit for an active young family
Suzi and Dale, a professional couple with three young daughters, embarked on a full overhaul of this original brick home on Sydney’s North Shore. The home, built in the 1920s, was dark and dated with small rooms and a lack of connection to the outdoors, none of which suited the family’s lifestyle.
To achieve the bright and relaxed family home the couple dreamed of, they created a large open-plan kitchen-living-dining room in an extension at the back of the house, connecting it seamlessly to a new outdoor and pool area. What was originally a three-bedroom home became a four-bedroom home, and a dedicated playroom was added in for the girls. Some space from one of the original bedrooms was then sacrificed to create a second bathroom for the family.
Once the renovation was finished, the couple enlisted the services of interior designer and stylist Laura Downie at Studio 1 Interiors, to help them give their new home the relaxed, coastal boho flavour they both love.
To achieve the bright and relaxed family home the couple dreamed of, they created a large open-plan kitchen-living-dining room in an extension at the back of the house, connecting it seamlessly to a new outdoor and pool area. What was originally a three-bedroom home became a four-bedroom home, and a dedicated playroom was added in for the girls. Some space from one of the original bedrooms was then sacrificed to create a second bathroom for the family.
Once the renovation was finished, the couple enlisted the services of interior designer and stylist Laura Downie at Studio 1 Interiors, to help them give their new home the relaxed, coastal boho flavour they both love.
Photo by Elana Clark Photography
When it came to choosing a location to bring up their young family, the NSW suburb of Cammeray seemed a natural choice for Suzi and Dale. “We both work in the city and Cammeray is just one bus stop away,” says Suzi. “It’s a very family-oriented suburb with a lovely village feel. The children go to the local school and daycare, they’re members of the local netball and soccer clubs, and we’ve got close friends living nearby. We’re all very involved in the local community.”
However, this un-renovated 1920s Federation home in Cammeray might have been bristling with potential when Suzi first laid eyes on it it 2015 – oodles of space, original period features, not to mention the fact that it was on her all-time favourite street – but she saw none of it. “I’d just had our third daughter, so I wasn’t really in the renovation headspace,” she says. “Thankfully my husband could see past the purple kitchen and convinced me of the house’s potential.”
When it came to choosing a location to bring up their young family, the NSW suburb of Cammeray seemed a natural choice for Suzi and Dale. “We both work in the city and Cammeray is just one bus stop away,” says Suzi. “It’s a very family-oriented suburb with a lovely village feel. The children go to the local school and daycare, they’re members of the local netball and soccer clubs, and we’ve got close friends living nearby. We’re all very involved in the local community.”
However, this un-renovated 1920s Federation home in Cammeray might have been bristling with potential when Suzi first laid eyes on it it 2015 – oodles of space, original period features, not to mention the fact that it was on her all-time favourite street – but she saw none of it. “I’d just had our third daughter, so I wasn’t really in the renovation headspace,” she says. “Thankfully my husband could see past the purple kitchen and convinced me of the house’s potential.”
The couple was struck by the then three-bedroom home’s fabulous period features – original fireplaces in all the bedrooms, and picture rails and high ceilings throughout. But at the same time, the house was dark, dated and in need of a serious refresh.
Suzi and Dale embarked on a six-month renovation that included replacing the poky rooms at the back of the house with an extension that now houses a large new open-plan kitchen-living-diner. “We wanted it to feel bright, open and airy,” says Suzi. They also added in an extra bedroom, playroom and family bathroom, giving the kids plenty of room to play, and the couple much-needed grown-up space when they need it. “We wanted open-plan living but also space for the kids to have their own rooms and play area.”
They then added in a pool and new landscaping so the family could enjoy spending time outdoors in summer.
Orissa runner: Freedom Furniture
Suzi and Dale embarked on a six-month renovation that included replacing the poky rooms at the back of the house with an extension that now houses a large new open-plan kitchen-living-diner. “We wanted it to feel bright, open and airy,” says Suzi. They also added in an extra bedroom, playroom and family bathroom, giving the kids plenty of room to play, and the couple much-needed grown-up space when they need it. “We wanted open-plan living but also space for the kids to have their own rooms and play area.”
They then added in a pool and new landscaping so the family could enjoy spending time outdoors in summer.
Orissa runner: Freedom Furniture
When the renovation was near completion, Suzi called upon interior designer and stylist Laura Downie of Studio 1 Interiors to help her create the look and feel she wanted for the interior. “I wanted to make sure the style of the inside matched the amazing renovation,” says Suzi. “A lot of our furniture had been with us pre-kids, so it was time for a refresh. I had a vision in my head of what I wanted the house to look like, but I really wanted someone to help me bring it to life.”
“Laura immediately understood my style and the fact that the design would have to be kid-friendly,” she adds. “I love texture, natural materials and neutral colours, and wanted a relaxed home with elements of boho and Scandi. Laura was exceptional at creating that. She listened to my ideas and pushed me a little further than I would normally go – and I’m so happy she did.”
Lisa sofa: Urban Couture; Bamileke table: LuMu Interiors; Vittoria Folk occasional chair in ash/ natural: Globe West
“Laura immediately understood my style and the fact that the design would have to be kid-friendly,” she adds. “I love texture, natural materials and neutral colours, and wanted a relaxed home with elements of boho and Scandi. Laura was exceptional at creating that. She listened to my ideas and pushed me a little further than I would normally go – and I’m so happy she did.”
Lisa sofa: Urban Couture; Bamileke table: LuMu Interiors; Vittoria Folk occasional chair in ash/ natural: Globe West
Photo by Elana Clark Photography
One of the first things to go during the reno was the original purple kitchen with its slate floor. In its place came a sleek white contemporary design with a generous island topped with luxurious Carrara marble. “Originally, nothing in the kitchen made sense and there was a lot of wasted space with nowhere for us to actually cook together,” says Suzi. “Cooking in our new kitchen is often an all-hands-on-deck affair now, which I love.”
Zulu Counter Stools: The Family Love Tree; Lili pendant lights: Uniqwa Furniture
One of the first things to go during the reno was the original purple kitchen with its slate floor. In its place came a sleek white contemporary design with a generous island topped with luxurious Carrara marble. “Originally, nothing in the kitchen made sense and there was a lot of wasted space with nowhere for us to actually cook together,” says Suzi. “Cooking in our new kitchen is often an all-hands-on-deck affair now, which I love.”
Zulu Counter Stools: The Family Love Tree; Lili pendant lights: Uniqwa Furniture
Photo by Elana Clark Photography
The exposed brick wall that runs alongside the kitchen and dining room adds an industrial feel to the room – a wholly unexpected touch in this otherwise soft, neutral space.
The new open-plan arrangement here also gives Suzi and Dale peace of mind as they can see what the kids are up to when they’re outside. “From the back of the house, we can see the pool and backyard from every angle, so we can always keep an eye on the girls when they’re in the pool or backyard,” says Suzi.
The exposed brick wall that runs alongside the kitchen and dining room adds an industrial feel to the room – a wholly unexpected touch in this otherwise soft, neutral space.
The new open-plan arrangement here also gives Suzi and Dale peace of mind as they can see what the kids are up to when they’re outside. “From the back of the house, we can see the pool and backyard from every angle, so we can always keep an eye on the girls when they’re in the pool or backyard,” says Suzi.
“With three kids, it’s easy for clutter to accumulate, but we work hard to make sure that doesn’t happen,” says Suzi. “We incorporated plenty of storage into the new design to house the kids’ toys and accessories, and we do a quick tidy-up together every night. The kids don’t love this routine, but it keeps me sane.”
In the hallway, there is concealed storage behind closed doors, including a coat cupboard and a linen cupboard. In the living room, there is a built-in storage system that holds a great deal, and the playroom also includes generous wall storage to keep everything neat and tidy.
Lanterns and rattan planter: Freedom Furniture
In the hallway, there is concealed storage behind closed doors, including a coat cupboard and a linen cupboard. In the living room, there is a built-in storage system that holds a great deal, and the playroom also includes generous wall storage to keep everything neat and tidy.
Lanterns and rattan planter: Freedom Furniture
This outdoor-loving family spends most of their summer months swimming in the pool, relaxing in their outdoor entertaining area or firing up the barbecue to cook for friends and family. “We’ve always wanted a nice entertaining area and we’ve had some great dinner parties and get-togethers here,” says Suzi.
Tango Butterfly Occasional Chairs: Globe West
Tango Butterfly Occasional Chairs: Globe West
The couple’s two youngest girls share a pretty pink, white and grey bedroom. Delightful features include a woven wall-hanging and digitally printed rug (which is washable too).
Day Dream Digital Hide rug: Amigos De Hoy; Pink Peacock Wall-Hanging: The Family Love Tree; bedlinen: Adairs Kids
Day Dream Digital Hide rug: Amigos De Hoy; Pink Peacock Wall-Hanging: The Family Love Tree; bedlinen: Adairs Kids
“I wanted to give this guest room a relaxed, boho feel, and to incorporate this bed that we had made several years ago. Laura helped us create the perfect look.”
Illuminate Z1 Pendant Light: LuMu Interiors
Illuminate Z1 Pendant Light: LuMu Interiors
Photo by Elana Clark Photography
In the original floor plan, the new family bathroom was part of what is now the youngest girls’ shared bedroom. During the renovation, Suzi and Dale divided the room and turned a portion over to create a new bathroom. The one thing they kept hold of was the fireplace. “It was important to us to keep many of the original period features during the renovation, and the fireplace was one of them,” says Suzi.
In the original floor plan, the new family bathroom was part of what is now the youngest girls’ shared bedroom. During the renovation, Suzi and Dale divided the room and turned a portion over to create a new bathroom. The one thing they kept hold of was the fireplace. “It was important to us to keep many of the original period features during the renovation, and the fireplace was one of them,” says Suzi.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Suzi and Dale, their three daughters and dog Lola
Where: Cammeray, NSW
Size: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a powder room