Home inspiration: Rock solid

The charming Sydney cottage may exude elegance, but everything inside is kid-friendly, including the Casa Mia ‘Annette’ and ‘Kagan’ chairs upholstered in Mokum’s ‘Ficus’, a Teflon-treated, wipe-clean fabric. In the centre of the dining zone sits a sizeable Jimmy Possum ‘Mekka’ 14-seater extension table. The pendant light was found at Laura Kincade.

The fireplace, built with sandstone quarried from the original footings of the home, acts as a subtle divider between the living and dining zones. Practical built-in joinery almost runs the length of the two spaces and includes a buffet section, bookshelves, pockets for hiding messy cords and plenty of room for toy storage. A pair of Colby Furniture ‘Ashley’ armchairs in ‘Dapple’ upholstery from Unique Fabrics, complemented by coral Mokum cushions, contrast with the warm, weathered appearance of the Coco Republic ‘Ottawa’ coffee table. The vintage ‘Nayoma’ rug is from Cadrys.

The nine-metre long hallway was crying out for an eye-catching feature. Fitting the bill is a bespoke Armadillo & Co eight-metre runner in citrus green. Framed family pictures personalise the space. Completing the picture are Visual Comfort & Co pendant lanterns from Laura Kincade.

The open-plan kitchen is the CBD of this family home. Although it has the most Hamptons-like feel of all the rooms, it has been treated to a semi-industrial twist thanks to large ‘Zinc Cube’ pendants from Cotton Love. 

The island includes copious storage and a deep Franke tub sink and Hansgrohe ‘Talis S2 Variarc’ tap. ‘Cabana’ stools from CTR Imports are a total eye-catcher. A stand-out feature is the splashback made from the home’s original sandstone, which is joined by unfussy satin polyurethane cabinetry by Swagman Joinery in fresh Dulux Stowe White.

The master bedroom is more masculine than the rest of the home. Contributing to the Manhattan loft vibe is the bronze-toned, grassweave wallpaper. The winged, diamond buttoned bedhead by Ralph Lauren ups the comfort factor, while classic bedside lamps work beautifully on La Maison bedside tables.

The ensuite continues the luxe mood of the adjoining master bedroom with a tactile feature wall of rectangular mosaics. Large travertine tiles used for the other walls and flooring reference the home’s original sandstone, with modern Candana rainshowers offering a five-star shower experience. The vanity, with wood-look laminate cupboards, a Caesarstone top and Studio Bagno ‘Flavia’ basins, was custom-made by Swagman Joinery.

The covered outdoor dining room was designed to flow from inside and is great for intimate family dinners as well as entertaining. 

Out in the sunny garden, a pool was an absolute must, and with sightlines from the kitchen and lounge, it’s a safe play-spot for children.