Renovating
Once-Modest Worker's Cottages Renovated 5 Ways
Humble worker's cottages are no longer what they seem – their single-storey facades have become clever disguises for contemporary homes
There was a time that inner city worker’s cottages were the most dominant form of Australian dwelling. While the majority were bulldozed throughout the 20th century to make way for apartments and larger homes, today – with the increased popularity and gentrification of our inner city suburbs – the worker’s cottage has once again become a covetable residence. In fact, these homes filled with history are ripe for renovation.
Here, we explore five ways that worker’s cottages have been renovated to conceal contemporary design and modern living while keeping their traditional facade.
Here, we explore five ways that worker’s cottages have been renovated to conceal contemporary design and modern living while keeping their traditional facade.
Here, a deck has been added as an ‘outdoor room’ with a high awning roof. This creates the sense of living outside while still being sheltered from the rain or sun. A kitchen sits on the dividing line between inside and outside, dissolving the barrier between the house and the deck. Meanwhile, innovative bench space and a second sink extend outside allowing for outdoor cooking and living – no matter what the weather.
Find out how to connect indoor and outdoor areas
Find out how to connect indoor and outdoor areas
2. Relocate and combine
BEFORE: Unattractive additions and awkward bathrooms often blocked the flow of space from the living room to the garden, as this home clearly demonstrates.
BEFORE: Unattractive additions and awkward bathrooms often blocked the flow of space from the living room to the garden, as this home clearly demonstrates.
AFTER: The owner and architect demolished the back of the house. They relocated the bathroom to the middle of the house, making way for a large unified kitchen-dining-living area at the back. This created a more comfortable space with an open outlook to the garden.
3. Extend and elongate
You’d never know what this worker’s cottage has out back from looking at the front of it. A simple weatherboard cottage and terracotta-tiled porch disguises a very modern renovation…
You’d never know what this worker’s cottage has out back from looking at the front of it. A simple weatherboard cottage and terracotta-tiled porch disguises a very modern renovation…
A narrow ground-floor extension creates space for a galley-style kitchen, additional living space and access to the backyard. The ‘old’ and ‘new’ are both connected and separated by a large sliding door that acts as a transitional element, while large windows provide views to the lush garden.
See more of this worker’s cottage addition
See more of this worker’s cottage addition
4. Build up and out
In this worker’s cottage the narrow site meant that the house only had one way to go – and that was up! As you’ll see, a dramatic second-storey is in stark contrast to the ornate heritage facade.
In this worker’s cottage the narrow site meant that the house only had one way to go – and that was up! As you’ll see, a dramatic second-storey is in stark contrast to the ornate heritage facade.
The architect added two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, while creating an open-plan living space downstairs and maintaining the existing kitchen zone. Wooden boards are used both on the second-storey addition and the backyard decking creating a consistent aesthetic at the rear of the house and striking a harmonious balance with the original brickwork.
5. Create and innovate
Finally, this bright pink door on a refreshingly colourful worker’s cottage leads to a house full of surprises.
Here is a handy little guide for painting your front door with a statement colour
Finally, this bright pink door on a refreshingly colourful worker’s cottage leads to a house full of surprises.
Here is a handy little guide for painting your front door with a statement colour
A second level addition provides bedrooms for a growing family, and cantilevered doors and windows enlarge the interior space.
While inside, lots of innovative touches for modern living have been included, including underfloor heating, an aquaponics system, compact outdoor seating, synthetic turf for a small urban garden and concealed storage in the timber staircase.
MORE
Houzz Tour: A Traditional Worker’s Cottage Gets a Modern Extension
Open Sesame: 8 Rear Extensions That Bring the Outside In
So You Live in a…Historic Villa
20 Storage Ideas That Say “Now Why Didn’t I Think of That?”
SHOW US
Do you live in a worker’s cottage? And have you renovated it? Share your high-resolution photos with us in the comments section below.
MORE
Houzz Tour: A Traditional Worker’s Cottage Gets a Modern Extension
Open Sesame: 8 Rear Extensions That Bring the Outside In
So You Live in a…Historic Villa
20 Storage Ideas That Say “Now Why Didn’t I Think of That?”
SHOW US
Do you live in a worker’s cottage? And have you renovated it? Share your high-resolution photos with us in the comments section below.
While the front rooms of the original worker’s cottages may be well planned, the rear of these homes was certainly not much to speak of. Thus, modern renovations often transform the rear into a more liveable space, visually and functionally connecting the living areas with the garden.