Photography: Simon Whitbread / Styling: Olga Lewis
It was the scale and scope of a rambling 1920s heritage house on Sydney’s North Shore that first intrigued Cara and Jonathan. But when the couple discovered that the house, just moments from the water’s edge, also presented dress-circle views of Sydney Harbour, there was no turning back.
is soft underfoot near a Claybourne sofa and armchairs, which are in use all year round. (Photography: Simon Whitbread / Styling: Olga Lewis)
“The home had great bones,” shares Cara. “It ticked all the boxes with a pool, garages, enough bedrooms for our family – and then there are the views. It’s like a beach house near the city – the beach is just 140 metres down the street.”
Having undergone several ill-considered additions in decades past, the heritage house, on a 1100-square-metre block, was ripe for major renewal. “At one point,” explains Cara, “it had even been converted into three separate dwellings – a rabbit warren of rooms with multiple kitchenettes and floor coverings.
How to plan a renovation
After living with their two children in the home as it was for four years, Jonathan and Cara engaged Stritt Design & Construction, helmed by building designer and builder Alex Stritt and interior designer Janette Stritt. Before long, the couple’s vision for a five-bedroom dream home, staged across four luminous levels, had been expertly outlined and refined. (For more of Janette’s building and renovtion advice, click here).
“We thought we had a clear idea of how to rearrange the layout of the existing small rooms, but Alex gave us a concept that blew us away,” recalls Cara. “He created living spaces that take full advantage of the views, while also providing all the accommodation and amenities we asked for in our brief. Meanwhile, Janette helped us with our choices for the interiors.”
After they submitted their plans to council, development approval was granted just months later, in a stroke of good luck – and even better planning. Ready for its renewal, the heritage house was renovated in two stages over a number of years.
“The pure white benchtop blends seamlessly with the cabinetry, creating a cohesive, understated surface” – Janette Stritt, interior designer
How to find your style
The homeowners have spent extended periods in Scandinavia and the US. As such, they love what Cara refers to as ‘Scamptons’ design. “We felt that the Federation style of this house would work perfectly with this style of renovation,” she says. “We wanted a modern beach house that would bring together a classic Hamptons exterior with Scandinavian decor, so we could combine our two loves.”
The home’s footprint was unchanged, but the interior was dramatically reconfigured. “The vision was to open up the home, allowing natural light to flood the interiors and take full advantage of the stunning water views, while keeping the character of the exterior street frontage,” says Janette. “Internally, the aesthetic would be more pared back, with V-groove wall panelling and cathedral ceilings in the living zones to enhance the sense of volume and light.”
“The covered wraparound balcony is the perfect place for entertaining and watching boats go by” – Cara, homeowner
Form and function
Clever design solutions abound in this beautifully appointed home, showcasing a palette of timeless finishes – notably, natural stone, oak flooring and, in the bathrooms, glass mosaic tiles. “A crisp white palette flows throughout the home, creating a serene backdrop that lets the water views take centrestage,” says Janette. “It also provides the perfect canvas for a striking art collection.”
As for the couple’s favourite space in the heritage house, let’s just say there’s more than one! “We love our large, open lounge, dining and kitchen area,” says Cara. “It takes in all the views and has access to the balcony via sliding doors for entertaining. In summer, when the doors are open, it really is indoor-outdoor living. The laundry is also now a joy to use, with two washer-driers, a steaming cupboard and a crafting area. Before the renovation, the laundry wasn’t even attached to the house and was full of spiders.”
The wishlist
With a Pinterest board on hand when they first met Stritt Design & Construction, Cara and Jonathan were in sync both with each other and with their creative team. “That made the whole process much easier and more fun,” says Cara.
Key items delivered from their wishlist were a wraparound balcony, wow-factor entrance and entertainer’s kitchen with a butler’s pantry. “We also added a lift that replaced an external spiral staircase from the garage to the kitchen level,” says Cara.
In the second stage of the home’s renewal, the pool, cabana and garden received an enticing makeover, courtesy of a full redesign by Alex, with Scapes & Stone undertaking the planting and garden works. “The lower living level, complete with a billiard table and gym, now opens to a generous lawn and fire pit leading to the pool and cabana for relaxed, outdoor entertaining,” says Janette.
Home renovation advice
The couple did plenty of research before appointing their ‘one stop shop’ design and build team. And they couldn’t be happier they did. “Jonathan found the Stritts online,” says Cara. “We loved that they were both designers and builders, and knew what the realistic build costs would be. We’d been through a bad experience with a previous home where we had commissioned architects to design a house, but when it came to tendering for a builder, the proposals came in well above budget.”
In this case, the result of a dream collaboration is a house worthy of its spectacular setting. And not surprisingly, Cara and Jonathan would not change a thing. “It is our forever home and is almost like another member of the family,” she says with a smile. “We couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
Best splurge
For Cara and Jonathan, their new art collection provides moments of drama and was worth the investment. “It’s been a lovely experience commissioning artworks for specific walls and getting to meet the artists,” says Cara. “The large Timothy Johnston piece near the entrance certainly adds to the wow factor we wanted. We saw the rowing boat in a gallery while holidaying in Whistler, Canada, and knew straight away it would be perfect.”
Source book
Interior design, building design, landscape design & building Stritt Design & Construction, stritt.com.au.
Joinery The Kitchen Maker, thekitchenmaker.com.au.
Landscaping Scapes & Stone, @scapesandstone.
