Houzz Tour: A New Barbecue Welcomes a Family Back to Australia
While living in the U.S., the owners undertake a remodel in Sydney to improve flow and add storage and an outdoor grill
Having lived in a New York City apartment for the past 20 years, this Australian couple were ready to return home, find a house with a backyard so they could re-establish their love for the barbecue, and put down roots with their two young children. Before coming back, they purchased a run-down period home in Sydney’s harborside Kirribilli neighborhood, with a plan to renovate it into a versatile and practical family home.
The couple discovered the work of Chris Kreis of Kreis Grennan Architecture on Houzz, and they asked him to oversee the project while they continued living in New York. “They were unable to visit the property or evaluate fixtures and fittings firsthand, so they had to put their full trust in our judgment,” Kreis says. The result was a boon for all involved.
The couple discovered the work of Chris Kreis of Kreis Grennan Architecture on Houzz, and they asked him to oversee the project while they continued living in New York. “They were unable to visit the property or evaluate fixtures and fittings firsthand, so they had to put their full trust in our judgment,” Kreis says. The result was a boon for all involved.
Before. The house had good bones. It had been renovated several times, and even had new windows and doors, but the interior layout needed work.
Although light and bright with views over the garden, the living room offered no storage or focal point.
The kitchen was dark and small, and the wood cabinets made the narrow room feel oppressive.
After. Kreis merged the galley kitchen with the Victorian-style formal sitting room to create a larger, half-open kitchen area. Complete with sleek appliances, storage galore and a breakfast bar facing the buzz of the street, the space is now a bright, family-friendly and high-usage room. It’s open enough to create a sense of space, but enclosed enough to ensure that the dining and living areas are separate zones. The wood flooring is blackbutt.
“The owners entertain a lot, so the semiopen kitchen, with its two bar areas, is great for connecting the guests with the cook, but the post-entertaining mess remains hidden away as guests retire to the living area,” Kreis says.
Calacatta Nuvo counters: Caesarstone
“The owners entertain a lot, so the semiopen kitchen, with its two bar areas, is great for connecting the guests with the cook, but the post-entertaining mess remains hidden away as guests retire to the living area,” Kreis says.
Calacatta Nuvo counters: Caesarstone
A clever utility room, which doubles as a bathroom and laundry, hides behind solid sliding doors.
“It was important to the family to have versatile spaces, so the solid doors enable this room to become a formal powder room when guests come to stay,” Kreis says.
“It was important to the family to have versatile spaces, so the solid doors enable this room to become a formal powder room when guests come to stay,” Kreis says.
In the living room, a storage unit takes up the dead zone under a soffit. “We designed a bespoke unit that features a fireplace, display and storage areas, and concealed area for the flat-screen,” Kreis says.
Additional windows in the house increase light and airflow. Some have screens so that they can stay open to cool the home when required.
Blackbutt stair treads create an architectural feature.
The owners have collected artwork from their travels over the past 20 years, and these pieces were an important consideration in the planning of wall heights and display spaces.
The owners have collected artwork from their travels over the past 20 years, and these pieces were an important consideration in the planning of wall heights and display spaces.
The main bedroom was reoriented 180 degrees to ensure that the bed faced the tree canopy and to make better use of an enclosed veranda. A dogleg entrance lined with purpose-built cabinets replaces the old walk-in closet. As a result, the bedroom is far more private.
Merging the enclosed veranda and a dark shower area allowed for the creation of this light-filled sanctuary. The two-person tub is a showstopper.
Elinea freestanding bathtub: Decina Bathroomware; see other freestanding tubs
Elinea freestanding bathtub: Decina Bathroomware; see other freestanding tubs
Meanwhile, a large walk-in shower ensures that all functional bases are covered.
“The custom-built vanity unit has a rich timber veneer to tie in with the wood flooring through the rest of the house and to connect with the natural environment for a sense of well-being,” Kreis says.
As an environmental consideration, gas hot water was installed so that energy is consumed only when actually required.
“The custom-built vanity unit has a rich timber veneer to tie in with the wood flooring through the rest of the house and to connect with the natural environment for a sense of well-being,” Kreis says.
As an environmental consideration, gas hot water was installed so that energy is consumed only when actually required.
Striking wood stairs ascend to the loft, where the ceiling was raised to make way for a multipurpose room.
A void above the staircase floods the landings with light.
The kids use the loft — which has its own bathroom — as a second living area. Guests also enjoy the privacy that comes with having their own floor.
Kreis’ signature custom cabinetry, with wood accents that echo those in the kitchen, makes the most of every inch in the loft, providing wall-to-wall storage under the sloping eaves.
Since many of the walls and floors were opened during the building phase, the owners chose to put additional insulation wherever they could.
Since many of the walls and floors were opened during the building phase, the owners chose to put additional insulation wherever they could.
Storage was also a top priority in the kids’ bedrooms, where custom closets feature practical, easy-to-grab door handles.
The newly landscaped garden includes a large paved area that ensures full use of the small space yet still manages to preserve a mature tree.
A custom barbecue area with a concrete bench turns the yard into the ultimate outdoor entertaining space.
The biggest challenge during the two-year project was keeping the lines of communication open through the different time zones. “The owners were traveling across America for two months during the final stages,” Kreis says. “Skype became a necessity.”
Construction: Shore Build
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The biggest challenge during the two-year project was keeping the lines of communication open through the different time zones. “The owners were traveling across America for two months during the final stages,” Kreis says. “Skype became a necessity.”
Construction: Shore Build
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: A couple and their two young daughters
Location: Kirribilli neighborhood of Sydney
Size: 1,647 square feet (153 square meters); three bedrooms, three bathrooms
Architect: Kreis Grennan Architecture
The Edwardian-inspired house, which dates back to the early 1900s, sits on a corner lot and offers an abundance of green vistas from nearly every window, despite the urban setting. This was a major attraction for the owners, as were the untapped opportunities inside.