New wave

Julia and Will Dangar are a couple on the lookout for edges.

“We are always drawn to properties that are on corners, or have laneways, or where they’re a little bit exposed,” says Julia. “Generally, people don’t like them as much. But it allows us to do beautiful streetscaping and use that abundance of natural light.” 

Case in point is the Dangars’ stunning Denham St property, named Bismarck House.Designed by architect Andrew Burges, with landscaping by Will — a well-known landscaper — and interior design details by Karen

McCartney and David Harrison from Design Daily Interiors, Bismarck House has emerged as one of Bondi’s most interesting homes, a contemporary, refreshing reinvention of a traditional Eastern Suburbs red-brick.

Modern architecture melds with subtle interior touches and the use of minimal, natural materials. Bricks from the original house have been salvaged and repurposed into white-washed walls, stairs and fencing, and “the lines between indoor and outdoor sort of disappear”, says Julia.

Like the house, the garden is a place of angles and edges, where harshness and beauty collide, through a hardy array of native plants, succulents and cacti. 

“We wanted the garden to be easy and sustainable, and it has been purposely designed as a low water-intensive garden,” says Julia. 

“It’s hardy, doesn’t need much water, and is very easy to maintain. Living there allowed Will to make the garden a priority, which was fantastic as it allowed for this growth and extra layers to appear.” 

A Bismarck palm, after which the house is named, was transplanted into the curve of the landscape in front of the house and the garden extends along the length of the exterior laneway.

Poured concrete on the top level and bathroom floors have been left natural, with no protective varnish, to give a raw, appealing feel. The internal earth-coloured brick staircase is paired with a raw mesh balustrade and the internal walls are white-washed rendered brick.

Generous linen curtains drape to the floor; the colour palette is soft and combined with a mix of designer and vintage furniture, while carefully chosen lighting creates a relaxed and sophisticated aesthetic. Purpose-selected handcrafted ceramics sit perfectly inside purpose-made shelving.

Within the house, there is a sliding screen window seat that opens up on to the kitchen. During COVID-19 lockdown, when the Dangars were living in the property with their two school-aged children, the house became a sanctuary.

“The children were home schooling, and I would sit at the window with my cup of tea and the children at the kitchen table, and I felt like I was interacting with all the people who would walk up and down the laneway outside,” says Julia.

“I got to know just about everyone who goes up and down it, so it was a magic time to be there. I didn’t think it would be like that being on a laneway in an urban spot in Bondi.”

Julia’s social engagement with the community led her to local business Carlotta + Gee.

“We met while I was sitting at the ‘COVID-window’,” says Julia. “Carlotta had just launched her linen business and showed me the product, which I fell in love with.” 

This, and other small hosting touches, such as Bondi Wash products, are used throughout the house.

“So many local connections have come past while I’ve just been sitting at my window seat, and everyone has stopped to say how great it is we’ve cleaned up the laneway and lifted the area,” she says.

The house has recently been listed for shoots, events and staycations and took out the 2020 Houses Awards category for best house alteration or addition — houses under 200sqm.

Nestled between Bondi and Tamarama, there’s a choice to which beach you’ll visit if staying. A path leads down to the nearby Bondi to Bronte coastal walk and Totti’s is but stumbling distance across the road. It may well be the perfect new Bondi house.

Bismarck House

$1200 per night with a minimum three night stay through Airbnb. 

bismarckhouse.com.au

@bismarck_house