Houzz Tour: A Sydney Home’s Raw and Honest Renovation
This renovated rowhouse maintains its historical appeal while being more functional, comfortable and sheltered
Rebecca Gross
May 3, 2017
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Darlinghurst, a neighborhood in Sydney, has a checkered past, but that has undoubtedly contributed to the character of the area. These days, it is a sought-after place to live, with workers’ cottages, Victorian rowhouses and converted garages edging its tree-lined streets.
While many of the historical buildings have been transformed into contemporary and cutting-edge abodes, this particular Darlinghurst dwelling, renovated by Sydney architecture firm Pidcock, retains all its charm and character while now being vastly more functional and comfortable. The floor plan of the home was redesigned to create a better sense of flow, suiting the new owners’ love of entertaining. And materials taken from original structures were reused and repurposed to preserve the home’s history and sense of place.
While many of the historical buildings have been transformed into contemporary and cutting-edge abodes, this particular Darlinghurst dwelling, renovated by Sydney architecture firm Pidcock, retains all its charm and character while now being vastly more functional and comfortable. The floor plan of the home was redesigned to create a better sense of flow, suiting the new owners’ love of entertaining. And materials taken from original structures were reused and repurposed to preserve the home’s history and sense of place.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their dog, Phoenix, and occasional visitors
Location: Darlinghurst area of Sydney
Size: 1,862 square feet (173 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms; garage-studio (not pictured) with one bedroom, one bathroom
Designers: Architect: Pidcock; landscape design: Georgina Reid of The Planthunter
Who lives here: A couple and their dog, Phoenix, and occasional visitors
Location: Darlinghurst area of Sydney
Size: 1,862 square feet (173 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms; garage-studio (not pictured) with one bedroom, one bathroom
Designers: Architect: Pidcock; landscape design: Georgina Reid of The Planthunter
The homeowners’ key desire was to open up their home to the site and their improved garden. “The renovation needed to fix the shortcomings while maintaining and improving the best of the house and its location,” architect and director Caroline Pidcock says. “It was also quickly identified that the house had a certain charm, with sandstone and brickwork contributing to a wonderful historical character.”
The front door of the house opens to a living room full of original charm and character.
Before the renovation, the existing house had a poorly planned and built rear addition (that leaked) and an inadequate kitchen. Pidcock’s first step was to assess how the various spaces in the house flowed into one another, noting where they facilitated movement and where they didn’t.
A more efficient spatial plan resulted from the redesign, allowing for easier transition between spaces. “The clients love to entertain,” Pidcock says, “and the layout had to foster casual and friendly interactions. The aim was to provide a series of spaces that open the [first-floor] kitchen and living areas to each other and the garden.”
A more efficient spatial plan resulted from the redesign, allowing for easier transition between spaces. “The clients love to entertain,” Pidcock says, “and the layout had to foster casual and friendly interactions. The aim was to provide a series of spaces that open the [first-floor] kitchen and living areas to each other and the garden.”
“From the very beginning there was a focus on proposed materials; they had to be simple, honest and raw,” Pidcock says.
As such, the existing exposed brickwork walls and wood flooring have been retained. A gas fire was added to the existing fireplace, and cabinets and shelves were built in on either side. A raised hearth in front of the fireplace doubles as extra seating for guests.
Midcentury furniture, lighting and objects enhance the home’s sense of history and reflect the clients’ interest in color and design. “The clients have a great sense of color and were willing to experiment in different spaces,” Pidcock says.
The living room leads to the kitchen positioned in the center of the first floor. This is a busy space and has been designed as an easily navigated hub. Surrounding this energetic core are quieter living spaces, purpose-built as calmer, more restful areas that support privacy and personal time as much as socialization.
Indeed, every room has been located and designed to be a space that can be moved through but that is also a haven from movement. This is evident in the kitchen, where a passage on one side of the island can be freely and easily moved through, while the cooking and preparatory space on the other side of the island is away from passers-by.
A wine rack has been built into the former fireplace, and a picture window brings light into the space and offers views to the garden outside.
A wine rack has been built into the former fireplace, and a picture window brings light into the space and offers views to the garden outside.
The dining room has also been relocated and is now in a new room that opens to the covered patio and garden. Flexibility was an important factor throughout the renovation, and the living and dining rooms have been designed to be interchangeable depending on the couple’s needs.
As seen here, the dining room is furnished with a midcentury table and Grant Featherston’s classic D350 chairs.
As seen here, the dining room is furnished with a midcentury table and Grant Featherston’s classic D350 chairs.
Behind the dining area, the stairs between the first and second floor have been upgraded with improved lighting and a wood screen in place of the handrail.
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms and a bathroom. One bedroom is on the second floor, and the other is in the attic.
The pitched roof of the attic bedroom creates interesting architectural and spatial features, while a newly added dormer window filters natural light into the room.
The bathroom was previously located in the back of the house on the first floor but has been moved to a former walk-through room upstairs, which allows for a corridor to the rear dressing room and terrace.
Like the living room, the bathroom reflects the residents’ interest in color with vibrant orange cabinetry complemented by Moroccan tiles.
Like the living room, the bathroom reflects the residents’ interest in color with vibrant orange cabinetry complemented by Moroccan tiles.
Downstairs, a narrow room accommodating a shower-bath has been added to sit off the covered patio. “It is enclosed with recycled bricks and colored glass louvers to bring warmth and delight,” Pidcock says.
Outside, a shaded garden sits underneath the second-floor terrace. “We created this space so that it feels part of the surrounding garden, while being very private and able to be used in all weather,” Pidcock says.
Certainly, privacy was a key concern in such a densely housed neighborhood, with many houses and apartments overlooking the garden and windows.
Certainly, privacy was a key concern in such a densely housed neighborhood, with many houses and apartments overlooking the garden and windows.
The materials used outside are as raw and honest as those featured inside the house, and they have been taken from the original structure and reused wherever possible. Wood shingles salvaged from the original roof now enclose the water tank in the garden, and a large wood beam from the back addition serves as a garden seat.
Warm, natural materials, each with their own sense of history, help to make the garden a natural, nurturing oasis in the inner-city suburb. It is a place for the couple to retreat to when they need to relax and recharge.
Landscape construction: Michael Fisher of Earthtone
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Landscape construction: Michael Fisher of Earthtone
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Related Stories
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Period Home Gains Color and Character
By Kate Burt
Before-and-after photos show how a bold palette and restored features bring warmth and personality to this English house
Full Story
Barn Homes
Houzz Tour: Old Barns Become an Airy, Modern-Rustic Home
A barn home in Devon, England, sits lightly on the land and offers simple, relaxing spaces for an extended family
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Once-Bland Rental Now a Welcoming Home
By Kate Burt
A designer found on Houzz transforms a plain city apartment using color, texture and space planning
Full Story
Houzz TV
Tour a Contemporary London Home Full of Light and Garden Views
See and read how an architect on Houzz dramatically brightened once-dark spaces to create an airy contemporary home
Full Story
Houzz TV
Tour a Contemporary London Home Full of Light and Garden Views
See and read how an architect on Houzz dramatically brightened once-dark spaces to create an airy contemporary home
Full Story
Trending Now
The Most Popular Kitchens From Around the World in 2023
Visit Japan, Germany and 8 other countries to get inspiring design ideas in the most-saved kitchen photos of the year
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Lighter Look and Period Features in a Converted Barn
By Jo Simmons
In England’s Cotswolds district, an update introduces calm, contemporary elements while keeping a barn home’s character
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Updated Historical Home With a Modern Addition
By Jill Morgan
A light-filled addition and reworked layout transformed this period property in Wales into a stunning home
Full Story
Modern Homes
Houzz Tour: Family Says No to Relocating in Favor of Remodeling
An architect helps a family in Rome bring light, color and natural materials into their apartment
Full Story
Eclectic Homes
Houzz Tour: Rich Color and Classic Features Revive a Row House
A designer restores period details and improves the layout to reinvent a London home for a family of 5
Full Story
Really love the vibe of the place. I think the place has been well executed with all the finishes. The real stand out is the quality build.. There should be a medal for the builder!! Well done.
If only we could recommend the builder!!
I love raw and honest. It keeps the original feel of the house and retains character. This house and it's garden look like a place that is welcoming to come home and relax in. Lovely renovation.