Home inspiration: An inner-city home gets a contemporary makeover

Enamoured with their Victorian-style terrace in inner-city Sydney, owners Tanya and Larry have introduced a contemporary feel to the once-tired interior. In the dining area, a black and white colour scheme works well with their mid-century style furniture, which includes Eames chairs with ‘Eiffel’ bases from Living Edge and a replica ‘Tulip’ dining table from Matt Blatt.

Black polyurethane cabinetry is topped off by CaesarStone benchtops in Jet Black. A black kitchen may not be to everyone’s taste but it’s very liveable, as you can put any colour with it. Touches of red, including on ceramics from Bison and ‘Bongo’ stools from Korban/Flaubert, make a stunning contrast. 

Open shelving means that favourite cookbooks can be easily accessed.

A bi-fold opens up the kitchen, making the backyard feel larger and creating an extension between the kitchen and outdoor area.

Exterior trims and original wrought-iron lace on the balcony outside the bedroom were painted in Dulux Weathershield in Black for an instant update.

Rich textures and artistic elements inject personality to the main bedroom. A Missoni ‘Erode 59’ throw from Spence & Lyda introduces a cool colour palette, set off by glimpses of black in pillowcases, a table lamp and a collection of prints by Helmut Newton.

A Freedom sofa has been updated with cushions from Ikea and Spence & Lyda while the cowhide adds character to the black flooring.

New meets old with square mosaic floor tiles and classic 100 x 200mm brick wall tiles, both from Academy Tiles.

Black and bold, this modest room creates a sultry impact.