Light touch — Local Paddo

Like many grand turn-of-the-century houses in the eastern suburbs, this roomy and fundamentally beautiful Woollahra terrace was in need of some serious TLC when its new owner bought it in 2020.

With great bones and 8.5m frontage, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom house was a stately treasure stuck in “a gloomy time warp”, according to Jessica Gombault, interior design associate at Alexandra Kidd Interior Design.

The property’s last significant renovation, done some time in the late 1980s, had left it with a heavy wooden kitchen, Tuscan-style terracotta tiling at the rear, a colonial-referencing colour palette and even a Swedish sauna. By the 2020s, the home was in need of a modern overhaul.

“The house was severely dated and dark, so dark, in fact, the owner almost didn’t buy it,” says Gombault, who was appointed to oversee its restoration. “But it had great bones, including high ceilings and large, well-proportioned front rooms with ornate detailing.

“We knew we could make it an incredible forever home for our client and her son. We told her not to worry about the lack of light — we’d get it for her.”

Gombault says the client is “a strong-minded, independent woman who is excited about the next stage in her life, and she wanted her home to really reflect her personality”.

“From the outset, the focus was on quality, timelessness and creating a home that works efficiently. She wanted it to be comfortable and inviting, with an easy flow so she could relax, enjoy time with her son, work from home and entertain.”

To start the renovation, the Alexandra Kidd team set about refashioning the house to minimise darkness and maximise efficiency and flow, creating a space that felt more comfortable and functional.

They started by redesigning the floor plan to offer the house the same generous proportions at the rear as could be found at the front. To achieve this, a dark and narrow addition at the back of the property, which housed the kitchen and laundry, was replaced with a large new extension, using bricks repurposed from the demolition to minimise environmental impact.

The rear area received a new open-plan kitchen with a curved island, an adjoining dining area with banquette seating and a huge skylight, while steel-framed bi-fold doors and windows now flood the new addition with light.

But the renovation did not stop there. On the first floor, the bedrooms were reworked and a new window and two skylights were added to give the zone more light, and the level’s two bathrooms were renovated. The house now has three bedrooms and a study.

The attic above, which was previously used for storage and was accessible only by ladder, was transformed into a rumpus room complete with dormer window and an easy-access staircase.

Gombault says the renovation focused on correcting the proportion issues the house had previously faced, while introducing quality fixtures and finishes throughout to bring the space into a modern sensibility.

“When working with this house, beautiful, honest materials were the key for us,” says Gombault. “We decided to use natural oak, marble, brass and handmade tiles that will age gracefully and last practically forever.

“Having a healthy home was also important to our client, which included improved air flow and natural light. Using low-toxic finishes such as low-VOC paints was a must.”

While the designers focused on the nitty gritty of the redesign, the owner embarked on a personal quest to collect unique artworks by contemporary Australian female artists to line the walls. Alongside these works, striking modern lighting by Nicci Green from Melbourne’s Articolo Studios was used to give the house a contemporary edge.

Meanwhile, inspiration for the colour palette was derived from the large gum tree sitting in front of the property. Gombault says the “warm yet subtle hues inform every colour choice, enriching the master bedroom and ensuite and continuing throughout the home”.

“It’s a very Australian palette — soft, liveable and uplifting with a medley of muted greens, blues, ivory and touches of rust and pink,” she says. “From the gentle colour palette to the curves in the kitchen island, there’s a beautiful warmth and femininity to this project represented in even the smallest details.”

Gombault says the client is delighted with the results of the restoration, which earned a shortlisting in the residential design category in the 2023 Australian Interior Design Awards.

“It’s a very special home that feels both nurturing and uplifting,” she says. “And the owner tells me that she and her son feel very happy living here.”

WOOLLAHRA HOUSE

Interior design: Alexandra Kidd Interior Design

Styling: Megan Morton

Landscape design: Adam Robinson Design

Builder: Promena Projects

Photography: Prue Ruscoe